Cornelius (Neil) O’Brien, age 78 a New Canaan resident and faithful parishioner of St. Aloysius Parish for over 34 years died Sunday September 7, 2014 in New York City with his loving family by his side. Born in New York City, April 22, 1936 he was the son of the late Daniel and Nora Nagle O’Brien. Neil was the husband of Dorothy Kelleher O’Brien to whom he was married for over 54 years. After attending Cardinal Hayes High School, Neil served in the Honor Guard of the Armed Services in Washington DC. He received an Electrical Engineering degree from City College of New York, a law degree (JD) from New York Law School and a Master of Laws (LLM) from NYU Law School. His career as Patent Counsel for Union Carbide/Praxair spanned nearly three decades. Neil received a heart transplant at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in 1999 and continued to lead an active life, traveling extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Throughout his life, Neil remained extremely grateful to the physicians and medical staff at Columbia Presbyterian and Norwalk Hospital who enabled him to live a full and rewarding life following his transplant operation. Neil always prioritized time with his family. He was a devoted husband, and loving father and grandfather. He cherished the many friendships he developed over the years and was well known for his quick wit and keen sense of humor. He enjoyed playing tennis, traveling, and, especially, negotiating, an art he practiced at work – and perfected on his family at home. He spent portions of each summer at the seaside in Long Island, Maine or Cape Cod. He was an active member of the New Canaan Senior Men’s Club. In addition to his wife, survivors include, three daughters, Margaret M. O’Brien and her husband Bryan Murtagh of Rye, NY, Patricia A. White and her husband Jim of Portola Valley, CA, Mary T. Brunner and her husband Tom of New Canaan; one son, Thomas D. O’Brien and his wife Karen of Mill Valley, CA; one sister, Eileen Kennedy of Edgewater, FL; and eleven grandchildren: Kate, Bill, Brian, Mary, Brigid, Tara, Amy, Kevin, Claire, Megan and Owen Cornelius. He was predeceased by three brothers: John, Bobby and Patrick and two sisters, Shelia and Mae. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:30 AM in St. Aloysius Church, Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840. The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home,199 Main Street, New Canaan on Thursday evening from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Fairfield County Chapter of JDRF or the LuMind Foundation for Down Syndrome Research.