Robert E. Obrien

Robert E. (Bob) O’Brien – devoted husband, father and grandfather – passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, November 1, 2015. The founder of a successful family business based in Toledo, Bob was heavily involved in philanthropic efforts to promote Catholic education and other community-based efforts. Born June 18, 1926, Bob attended Blessed Sacrament grade school and Central Catholic High School, from which he graduated in 1944. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, and was honorably discharged in November 1945. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Toledo, from which he graduated with a degree in business administration in 1949. Bob married his late wife, Livia, in 1950 while also starting a small business, Century Power Mower Center, a lawn and garden retail and maintenance business, with his brother, Don, in 1950. Century subsequently became the distributor for Toro products in Northwest Ohio and steadily expanded throughout the state of Ohio and into Kentucky and West Virginia. Later, Century continued to grow by adding its Club Car distributorship. Bob was blessed again in 1988, when he married his second wife, Penny Gallagher, who became his loving wife for 27 years. Penny, along with her loving family, embraced Bob and truly provided joy and happiness to his life. Throughout his career, Bob was active in various industry and professional organizations. He cofounded the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, which persists through today and is the second-largest turf equipment trade show in the country; its Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust has granted over $4.5 million to research and student scholarships. He served on multiple boards of manufacturers and suppliers of Century, including a term as chairman of the Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors Association. He also served on the advisory board of the Family Business Center at the University of Toledo. In addition to his professional achievements, Bob dedicated his life to multiple charitable pursuits, including Catholic education. Bob was a longtime member of the Board of Directors and Endowment Board at St. Francis de Sales High School; he co-chaired a 1978 campaign to raise $1 million to build the school’s science wing. He served on the Board of Trustees at Lourdes College, including a term as chairman in 1998-99. Bob was also responsible for spearheading multiple fundraising campaigns as well at St. Ursula Academy, Notre Dame Academy, Central Catholic High School, Blessed Sacrament school, and St. Patrick Historical Foundation. In addition, Bob served on the Board of Trustees at Flower Hospital and ProMedica. Bob, along with Penny, was a charter member of their local chapter of Legatus, an association of Catholic business executives. Bob served on its Board of Directors for several years and was also its President for two years. Bob was also one of the founders of Ava Maria University, Naples, FL. For his service to these various organizations, Bob was honored with multiple awards. He received Central Catholic’s Celtic Cross award in 1994 and the school’s Golden Shamrock award in 1996, both of which honor those who have made a significant impact on their community while upholding Catholic ideals. He was honored in 1992 with St. Francis de Sales High School’s Hall of Fame service award, and he received an honorary doctorate in public service from Lourdes College in 2007. Throughout his life, Bob was both an avid golfer and a regular swimmer. He was a member of Heather Downs Country Club for 15 years and then Sylvania Country Club for 34 years. Among his golf achievements were three holes-in-one and scoring a birdie on the 12th hole as a guest at the famed Augusta National Golf Club. Foremost among his devotions, though, was Bob’s family. Bob placed family at the center of his life and career, having formed Century (now Century Equipment) with his late brother Don; his son, Marty, leads Century today. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Livia O’Brien, parents Marcella and Patrick O’Brien and older brother Don. He is survived by his wife Penny Gallagher O’Brien and children Kathleen (Charlie) McAllister, Marilyn (Daniel) Montgomery, Martin (Anna Marie) O’Brien, and Carol (Phil) Martens, Michael Gallagher, Marty (Donna) Gallagher, Megan (Thomas) Gallup and Grandchildren Daniel, Matthew and Edward Montgomery; Michael, John and Eric O’Brien; Chris, Amy and Max Martens; Fiona, Fintan and Sadie Gallagher; Sean and Jack Gallagher; and Michaela and Samantha Gallup. Family and friends may visit Wed., November 4, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.). A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Thur., November 5, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo, Ohio, with Fr. Ronald Olszewski. Interment, with Military Rites, will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales High School, 2323 W Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43607; Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, OH 43560; or the Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust, 2710 North Star Road, Columbus, OH 43221. Bob’s family would like to thank Flower Hospital, Franciscan Care Center, CareLink, ProMedica Hospice, and a special thank you to Kathy Huebner for her kindness, friendship, and help.