Irish father tragically killed in the United States repatriated home to be laid to rest

Damien O'Brien had forged a successful career as a quantity surveyor and was heavily involved with the Wild Geese GAA Club in Orange County

placeholder image — Damien O'Brien had forged a successful career as a quantity surveyor and was heavily involved with the Wild Geese GAA Club in Orange County

Damien had been living in the States for the past 12 years and had two sons, with a third on the way

An Irish man who was killed in the United States will be laid to rest on Friday.

Damien O'Brien, 35, formerly of Stoneybatter, Killygordon, Co Donegal was knocked down at Huntington Beach, California last Sunday week. A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.

Damien and his wife Michelle, who is from Glenfin, had been living in the States for the past 12 years and had two sons, with a third on the way.

He is sadly missed by his loving wife, Michelle, (nee O'Connor), adoring sons Oscar and Luke, his parents Patricia and Bernard, parents-in-law, Pat and Patricia O'Connor (Glenfin), sisters Colleen and Róisin, brothers Stephen and Bernard, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, partners, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, colleagues and wide circle of friends.

Damien will repose at the home of his parents in Stoneybatter, Killygordon, F93 WP40, from 5pm on Wednesday, July 16, until 9pm and on Thursday, from 1pm until 9pm. Rosary nightly at 9pm with family time on both nights from after the Rosary and on the morning of the funeral.

His Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, at 12 noon in St. Patrick's Church, Killygordon, F93 W2C2, with burial afterwards in Cill Mhuire Cemetery, Glenfin - the Home Parish of his wife Michelle. Burial is strictly private for the O’Brien and O’Connor families.

Damien had forged a successful career as a quantity surveyor, where he was vice-president of operations with TM Grady Builders, and was heavily involved with the Wild Geese GAA Club in Orange County, California, having been an established player with both Red Hughs and Setanta Hurling Club before emigrating.

A GoFundMe set-up by his employers called Aid for Damien O'Brien's Family After Tragic Loss has already raised over $300,000 USD (€258,175).