Father John “Mel” O’Brien, M.M.

Father John “Mel” O’Brien, M.M., a missioner to Peru who also served at several parishes in the New York area, died Jan. 23 at Phelps Memorial Hospital, Tarrytown. He was 88.

He was assigned to Peru following ordination in 1952. He served in parishes all over that country including the Altiplano at an altitude of 12,500 feet.

He returned to the United States on home leave in 1956 and worked in the Maryknoll promotional department in New York. He was sent back to Peru in 1959 where he was appointed to a parish in Lima. He was later named a pastor in Yunguyo.

He came back to the United States again in 1961 and served at St. Agnes parish, Manhattan; St. Mary Star of the Sea, City Island, the Bronx; and at a parish in Amityville in the Diocese of Rockville Centere. He also served as chaplain at Phelps Memorial Hospital, Sleepy Hollow.

He was again assigned to Peru in 1967 but due to ill health he moved to the Maryknoll Center in Ossining, continuing his ministry in parishes in Mount Kisco and Shrub Oak and at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. He retired in 2001.

Born in New York City, he entered Maryknoll in 1943 and professed final vows in 1951.

A Funeral Mass was offered Jan. 30 in Queen of Apostles Chapel at Maryknoll. Burial was in the Maryknoll Society Cemetery.