Fran O'Brien, 74, of Bryn Mawr, PA., passed away at his home on September 28, 2022. Fran was born in Ardmore, Pennsylvania to Anne and John O'Brien in 1948. He was one of six children. He attended St. Colman's School and graduated from St. Joseph's Prep in 1965. After a stint in the Army National Guard, he earned a degree in business administration from Saint Joseph's University in 1970. Following graduation Fran worked as a salesman for Dow Chemical. After his father passed away in 1971, Fran left his job with Dow Chemical to take over his father's bar, Roache & O'Brien in Haverford, PA.

Roache & O'Brien opened its doors in December of 1933 following the end of prohibition. Fran began working at the bar in eighth grade, cleaning on Sundays, but following his father's death, he took over the bar and has owned and operated it for the past 51 years. Michael Bradley, a friend of Fran, described Fran's work perfectly when he said "So many people try to make impacts on others' lives, but Fran did it like few others. He created a world that people couldn't wait to be a part of and every new visitor to the bar became a convert. He cared about people and he loved his family. He brought together a community that included just about every type of person."

Fran married, the love of his life, Sally Sowers in 1984. Sally and Fran have three children, Pat, Cassie and John. While raising his children, Fran was active in Our Mother Good Counsel Parish serving as a CYO basketball coach for 15 years. Fran was a terrific father who took great pride in his children and their accomplishments. Perhaps the greatest joy in Fran's life was being "Frandad" to his four grandchildren, Charlie, Jack, Mae &  Maddie.

Fran loved spending time with his family and friends, telling dirty jokes and a cold glass of Canadian Club and water. He loved Saint Joseph's Hawks Basketball and rooting against Villanova. He enjoyed the Philadelphia Phillies, playing golf and gambling on football.

Over the past three years Fran put up a valiant fight against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Cancer. He was extremely grateful to be a lung transplant recipient which extended his life and for the care of the doctors and nurses at Temple University Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Fran is survived by his wife Sally O'Brien (nee Sowers), his children Pat O'Brien (Monica), Cassie Magee (Rob) and John O'Brien (Megan), his grandchildren Charlie Magee, Jack O'Brien, Mae O'Brien and Maddie Magee and his siblings Jack O'Brien (Chickie), Joe O'Brien (Carol), Maureen McKinney (the late Gary), Cindy O'Brien and Michael O'Brien.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday October 3, 11 AM at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA.  Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing Sunday from 6 to 8 PM at McConaghy Funeral Home, 328 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore or on Monday from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the Church.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coaches Vs. Cancer , P.O. Box 30386, Phila. PA 19103.