Donald J. O'Brien Jr.

LEEDS-Donald J. O’Brien Jr, 85, of Leeds, passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 1, 2025, on Beltane, a Celtic day marking the beginning of summer and the renewal of life. His family surrounded him in these last days, laughing, remembering and enjoying his wonderful wit and smile right till the end. Don was born in 1939 in Leeds to Donald J O’Brien Sr and Roseina (LaBarge) O’Brien. He grew up in Leeds, never leaving the Village, simply moving one house down after marrying Carolyn Heon on April 28, 1962. They were married in St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, just over the Hotel bridge from his family home on Water Street.
He attended local schools and graduated from Northampton High School in 1957, Northampton Commercial College, and received his degree in Agrostology from UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
Don and Carolyn loved to travel and explore, never wanting to sit idle. He cruised many times visiting places within the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaska. Yearly vacations with friends to play golf in South Carolina, many driving trips which could be day long trips with his wife, all the way up to month long trips driving cross country with his family. He was a genius at jigsaw puzzles, completing them effortlessly and in record time. He worked for over 40 years at Perstorp in Florence as the Logistics Manager before retiring.
Don had a lifelong passion for the game of golf that began in his youth. He joined Northampton Country Club in 1947, where he worked as a caddie under the mentorship of Jack Toski. His early love for the sport grew from his experiences as a caddie, and it was at the club that he first began playing regularly. In his early years, Don competed in several junior tournaments in the Boston area, earning honors such as being the medalist twice at the Hearst Nationals and the Jaycees Tournament. He also played for the Northampton High School golf team during their undefeated 1957 season. During this time, he had the opportunity to caddy for notable PGA professionals, including Julius Boros, Doug Ford, and Al Besselink. Don turned professional in 1959 and served as an assistant golf professional under Jack Toski, and later working as the Pro and Greenskeeper at Worthington Golf Club. He won his first club championship in 1977, securing the title five more times in the years that followed. Don also won several tournaments, including the Memorial Day Tournament (six times), the Northampton Open (three times), and the Ralph Parsons Four Ball.
A skilled and competitive player, he set course records and shot his age numerous times, including a five-under 67 at Greenfield Country Club at the age of 67. He was an active participant in various golf leagues and clubs, including the Vermont Group, which played at courses across the state, and the Safari Club. Despite his many golf achievements, Don never had a hole-in-one. Golf was in the blood of the O’Brien family from the minute they could hold a club. This led to lifelong playful exchanges with others, one of which involved a hat his siblings made for him. The hat listed the dates of his father’s and brothers’ hole-in-ones but left his name without a date, symbolizing his personal goal of one day achieving this milestone.
Don was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Heon), with whom he was married for 63 years; their three children: Jennifer Morris and husband Keith of Leeds, Lesley O’Brien of Leeds, and Jeff O’Brien and wife Sue of Florence; and his grandchildren, Erica Morris, Rachael Morris, and Zach O’Brien. He also leaves behind his brothers Frank O’Brien and his wife Jill of Westfield, David O’Brien and his wife Marilyn of North Hampton, NH, brother-in-law, Edward Heon and his late wife, Maureen of Hatfield and sister-in-law Margaret Worden and her late husband Jim of Greenfield as well as many nieces and nephews.
Many thanks go to the care team at the Davis Family Heart & Vascular Center at Baystate Medical Center for the wonderful care they provided.
The family asks in honor of Don’s Irish heritage and love of golf, please wear something green or golf related to the services if you are so inclined.

The family will receive friends at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 BRIDGE RD., NORTHAMPTON, on Thursday May 15, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. and also on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. with a Funeral Service at Ahearn’s at 11:00 A.M., Fr. Michael Twohig, Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Leeds. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Northampton High School Golf Team, Attn: Athletics, 380 Elm St, Northampton, MA 01060, or Shriners Children’s New England, Attn: Donations, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104.