Bernard C. "Barney" O'Brien
October 06, 2014
Bernard C. O’Brien “Barney” passed away at Taylor House Hospice on October 6, 2014. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with a Rosary at 8:00 p.m. Family burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Moline, IL at 10:00 am on October 18, 2014.
Barney was born Bruno Carlo Panepucci (Grinwood) on June 21, 1945 in Rome, Italy. Catholic Relief Services brought him to Davenport in 1955 to be adopted by the O’Brien family. He attended Assumption High School, St. Ambrose College, earned his MBA at U of I, and served in the army during the Vietnam Conflict. He was president of Steel Warehousing, Inc. in Des Moines and later became CEO of Kloeckner Namasco Steel Co. in Atlanta, GA, and retired in 2002.
Barney was the ultimate Hawkeye fan and loved all things Italian. One of the highlights of his life was in 1992 when his wife Paula helped him reunite with his birth mother and three half siblings in Italy and his huge extended Italian family.
Barney will be greatly missed by his wife, Paula Archibald O’Brien; son, Robert Michael (Christine) O’Brien; daughter, Mika Fontana Panepucci O’Brien; grandson, Nick (Bre) O’Brien; granddaughter, Sophia O’Brien; great-granddaughter, Harleigh O’Brien; and his many sister/brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. Special thanks to the Archibald, Chenoweth, and Higgins families that loved him dearly and made him part of their family.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Catholic Relief Services, (In Memory of Barney O’Brien), P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
KIM AND TRACY STEARNS
10/21/2014
Barney was a wonderful person
we are truly so sorry for you Paula and Mika.
Love Kim and Tracy
Connie Isaacson
10/16/2014
We are so sorry for your great loss, Paula and Mika. May you find peace in special memories and God's promise of a new and eternal life. Sending you hugs and love, Connie & Dick Isaacson
Carolinecvernon
10/15/2014
Uncle Barney inhabits a very tender place in my heart. I am grateful for his hugs, the way he would look at me and ask with genuine interest how I was doing. I am so grateful for our conversations in which he would gently open me up to a new perspective and seemed like he would allow a new perspective in also. It felt like he cared about me and my siblings in a really deep way without a lot if words but a deep and genuine affection. He brought a tremendous amount of love, encouragement, insight and of course humor into my life and for that I am eternally grateful. I love you Uncle Barn and thank you for sharing this life with us.
Norm Dieleman
10/14/2014
Paula: So sorry to hear of Barney's passing. I always enjoyed working, playing golf and cards, and the wonderful dinners we enjoyed with you and Barney. I will never forget the call when I asked him when he married you - he couldn't believe that I knew about it.Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You and Barney will always hold fond memories for us Norm and Jan Dieleman - Pellal
Linda Rogers
10/14/2014
Deepest sympathies to your family during this difficult time. I worked with Barney for many years. His family was very special to him and I know he will be missed.
The Formaneks
10/13/2014
Paula and Family; especially, sweet Mika~
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you! Surely you made every day special for Barney and now he will lovingly watch over each of you!
Sending our Peace, Love and Friendship your way.
Fondly,
The Formaneks
Paola Maccariello
10/12/2014
I remember when I met you for the first time in Rome in 1992 and I realized you were a very special person of few words but kind-hearted.
I miss you.
Ciao Bruno
Bob Parker
10/12/2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Barney helped mentor me early in my career and I have always been grateful to him. My thoughts are with your entire family.