Kenneth O'Brien

Kenneth William O’Brien passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, in Urbana, Maryland, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on March 5, 1953, Ken was the youngest child born to William T. O’Brien and Elizabeth Brown O’Brien and raised in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania. Ken was a loyal husband, father, and friend to many; and known for his kindness, quiet strength, and love of sport.

Ken graduated from Springfield Township High School in Erdenheim, PA and continued his education and athletic career at Widener University, where he played football and baseball and was later inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame. A gifted and dedicated athlete, Ken became Widener’s first two-time All-American and was named the MAC Player of the Year in both the 1974 and 1975 baseball seasons leading the nation in batting his junior year. He also excelled on the football field, leading the Pioneers as quarterback and earning MAC Player of the Year and Kicker of the Year (punter) honors during his senior season. Ken was later named to the MAC 100 Century Baseball Team and in 2021 inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame. Though drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1974, he chose to complete his senior season and education at Widener before being drafted again in 1975 by his hometown Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he played two seasons in the minor league system.

After earning a Master of Education from Beaver College, Ken spent the early part of his career as an educator and coach, teaching and coaching baseball and football, the sports he loved at Sharon Hill High School and Widener University. Upon the birth of his daughter, Molly, Ken chose to enter the business world where he led a successful 30-year sales career in the paper and janitorial supply industry.

Ken married Debbie Swope O’Brien, his best friend and beloved wife of thirty-eight years. Together they raised their three children Bryan, Julie, and Molly in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where Ken could always be found on the sidelines for each of their games. Ken and Deb spent summers on the Maine coast in their family home in Winter Harbor. Upon retirement in 2018, Ken and Debbie moved from Pennsylvania to Mariner Sands in Stuart, Florida, splitting time between there and their beloved home in Birch Harbor, Maine. Ken recently moved to Urbana, Maryland to be closer to his daughter, Molly and her family.

Ken enjoyed spending time with his close friends and family, playing golf, cooking, sneaking away to see local college football and minor league baseball games, and tuning in to watch the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. Ken was a family man first and guided his family with patience, a quiet strength, humor, and a steady presence. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, who affectionately called him O’Bie and treasured their time with him.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Swope O’Brien; his stepdaughter, Julia Bogan Furey; and his parents, Elizabeth and William O’Brien.

Ken is survived by his pride and joy, his daughter, Margaret (Molly) O’Brien Frazier (Kyle); his stepson, Bryan Patrick Furey (Loryn); and his grandchildren, Grant, Cole, Sloane, Sawyer, and Holden; as well as his sister, Elizabeth Shoemaker.

Services will be held on Friday, August 21st at 11:00AM at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ken’s honor may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Chester or the Schoodic Institute.

Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square, PA.  To leave a condolence for Ken's family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.