Hometown Hero Father Sean O'Brien

Father Sean O'Brien is a well-known figure in Central New York, and indeed, on the other side of the world.

Father O'Brien has been back in Northern Oneida County since returning home from active duty in Kuwait. He was called to action three times in his role as lieutenant commander in the U-S Naval Reserves.

Father O'Brien is pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Boonville, at St. Patrick's in Forestport, and St. Mary of the Snows in Otter Lake. Many years ago he was assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica.

Father O'Brien is a member of the Tun Tavern Leathernecks and spends his limited spare time working on his antique cars and his vintage snowmobiles, as well as spending time at his camp at Kayuta Lake.

Catholics and non-Catholics alike enjoy reading about his travels in the Boonville Herald. And, with a name of O'Brien, he was a perfect fit for grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2001.