Eugene J. O’Brien, 89, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the Regency House, Wallingford with his family by his side.  He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret “Peggy” O’Brien.  Eugene was born in New Haven on January 11, 1929 and was the son of the late Joseph and Josephine Servilla O’Brien.  He served his country faithfully in the US Army during the Korean War.  Eugene was a truck driver for many years, was a member of the Three Million Miles Club, member of the Teamsters Local #443 and was inducted to the Truck Drivers Hall of Fame.  He had worked for the former Linde Trucking, Union Carbide then Praxair.  Eugene enjoyed and was known for playing Santa Claus at the Meriden Square and ACES for many years. Father of Eugene J. O’Brien, Maura E. Gianakos, Stacie (Dennis) McCarthy and Amy (John Ivankovits) O’Brien.  Grandfather of Michael and Christopher O’Brien, Layne Gianakos, Tara, Sean and Jordan (Melissa) McCarthy, Jack Ivankovits and the late Tyler Gianakos.  Great-grandfather of Sean McCarthy, Jr., Caleb McCarthy and Hunter Baldino. Brother of Walter O’Brien.  The family would like to thank the staff at The Regency House for providing dedicated care and support over the last few months.

The visiting hours will be Wednesday, Dec. 19th from 5 to 8 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue.  His funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Thursday morning Dec. 10th at 9:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Frances Cabrini Church at 10:00.  Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929