James "Jimmy" O'Brien

Jimmy O’Brien built half the decks in Lacey Township and never once advertised. Didn’t need to. Word of mouth carried him for 40 years because when Jimmy built something, it stayed built. He served with the Marines in Vietnam from ’67 to ’69 — came home with a Purple Heart and a way of going quiet when helicopters flew over. Married Barbara in 1972. She was the one who did the talking; he did the listening. He was fine with that arrangement. After Barbara passed in 2019, Jimmy settled into a routine that was either monk-like or stubborn, depending on who you asked. Same booth at the Forked River Diner every morning, 6:15 sharp. Black coffee, two eggs over easy, rye toast. The waitresses stopped asking. His sons checked in every Sunday. The grandkids knew that Grandpa’s workshop was sacred ground and that he’d teach you to use a saw if you asked, but you had to ask. He went in his sleep, which the family says is the first easy thing he ever did.