About the Artist

Joseph Patrick O'Brien Sr.

(1889 - 1970)

Born at home on Sunday, March 3rd, 1889 in Stonington Connecticut, Joseph Patrick O'Brien (known as Pat) was first generation Irish. His father, William Doran O'Brien, and his mother, Mary Machado O'Brien were immigrants from Ireland. His mother died when he was only three, and he was raised by his grandmother, Bridget Doran, who had also joined the family in America. After enlisting in the Army in 1916, he spent 6 months on the Mexican border, venturing on horseback into Mexico in search of Pancho Villa.  In 1917, at the start of World War I, he fought in France and was a member of the Fighting Irish 42nd Rainbow Division. He received a battlefield commission from Sergeant to Captain during the invasion. He proudly boasted that he never took a life during the war, and admitted to never loading his rifle. He received only one wound, a gun shot to the leg. Upon his return to civilian life after the war, he competed as an athlete in track and field, boxed, was a stuntman in Hollywood in the early 20's and even starred in several silent films. At one time he was a part owner of the Comstock Mine in Nevada and did some mining and prospecting. Though Pat never received any formal schooling, he became a man of many talents. Throughout his lifetime he worked in many professions, but first and foremost, he was an artist and sculptor. He spoke fondly of the years he worked with Gutzon Borglum (Mt Rushmore) and was proud of the projects they worked on together. His paintings and statues have been on display in galleries and museums throughout the country. Pat O'Brien was a man of boundless energy. He loved a good joke, and he loved his Irish whiskey. He had a heart of gold and was a friend to all.

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