Samuel Fitchett O’Brien and Edith Irene Champany

A Tribute to their Lives Together

And Their Passing About a Year Apart –  2011 - 2013

Sam, or Dad, as his family called him, sacrificed all his talents in labors of love and physical toil to make his family better. “Edie,” or Mom, also did her part. Neither understood the word “rest” until their jobs were entirely done. Mom was fully a partner in the family business. Mom did the books, as she understood math easily and quickly; Dad tirelessly moved his clients’ belongings in vans throughout New England, and sometimes further, such as to Florida. Their days were not done when the sun went down; rather, their backbreaking labor continued until the clients were settled in a new happy home; only then would they stop. We remember stories of glowing recommendations for the O’Brien Moving Business. Dad’s politeness, patience, and perseverance in completing each job to perfection led clients to describe him as a perfect gentleman, and Mom’s efficiency in scheduling and following up their trips made their “two-some” team highly desired and recommended again and again, often by the same people. They progressed from a “little-known” service to “well-known” success in the Moving Business. Ultimately, Mom and Dad frequently chose their clients, rather than the other way around.

Sometimes, Mom and Dad would be talked into special tasks. For example, when a couple who happened to be totally traumatized by the moving task asked Mom and Dad to do everything for the new home, hanging pictures, placing furniture, and even filling every room with furniture, knickknacks, and silverware, they did this for their clients. I am told that ten years later, all Mom and Dad’s placements remained the same, and the happy couple immediately felt totally at home. Often, clients wanted to give Mom and Dad a special measure of their gratitude. Dad accepted these gifts in his gracious way, even when one was a huge stuffed Swordfish! The dedication of Mom and Dad thrived and the business grew, while also they raised three children to successful adulthood, with families of their own.

It is hard to put into words our sorrow over the loss of both of these fine people to our family and friends. Now, we are the keeper of the high standards of Mom and Dad. It is a new day, a new time to raise our heads and face the sun. It is an awesome responsibility to be entrusted with a legacy of such outstanding parents. We honor their positive contributions to each other and respect their memory as a fine example of good citizens.