Edward D. O’Brien, 91, of Milford, passed away peacefully in his home on June 29, 2026.

Edward D. O’Brien, 91, of Milford, passed away peacefully in his home on June 29, 2026. Ed was the beloved husband of 63 years to Anne M. Ryan O’Brien. He was born on June 6, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Edward A. O’Brien and Anna May Quinn O’Brien.

Besides his wife Anne, Ed continues his legacy with his three children: Maureen Riordan (Dennis), Kelly Brown (Matt), and Sean O’Brien, as well as three grandchildren: Toby Poole, Tyler Riordan, and Ryan Riordan. In addition, he leaves behind his sister-in-law Maureen Mulcahy; his brother-in-law Edward Ryan; many additional dear nieces, nephews, and cousins; and close friends. Ed is predeceased by his sister Joan Flynn, as well as Frank Montemarano, who was his best friend and like a brother to him.

Ed grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from high school and then joining the military. An honorable veteran of the US Army, Ed served his country first in the US Air Force Reserves, then completed three years of active duty (1955-1958) in the US Army, mostly in Germany. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Francis College in 1962. He also supported himself through night school at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Ed and Anne were married in 1963 in Brooklyn, NY.

Aside from his family, Ed’s greatest pride was his 23 years of service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Throughout his career with the FBI, he was transferred all over the country, moving nine times, finally settling in Fairfield, Connecticut. Following his retirement from the FBI in 1986, Ed started a second career with Champion International (later International Paper) as Director of Security until his retirement in 2000. After 21 years together with Anne in Fairfield, they moved to Milford, CT, where Ed spent the past 25 years enjoying the company of his neighbors and dear friends in the Baldwin Station community. He was an active member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and a former member of the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield. A deeply faithful Catholic, Ed served as a Eucharist minister and volunteer at Christ the Redeemer parish until its closing in 2021. He was also a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ed was a caring husband and father, a devoted family man, hardworking, patient, kind, and accepting of all, instilling in his children his strong values and work ethic. He shared a special bond with his grandsons, taking them to annual car shows in New York, going to MLB and Bridgeport Bluefish baseball games, attending their school activities and sporting events, and serving as a Confirmation sponsor for all three boys.

Ed enjoyed traveling, planning numerous family vacations, as well as trips with Anne to FBI Society conventions across the country, many cruises, and annual visits to their timeshare in Palm Beach Shores, Florida, where he loved swimming in the pool and ocean and walks on the beach. One of Ed’s favorite and most fulfilling activities was spending time with family and friends; he was a cherished and steadfast presence at countless family celebrations throughout his lifetime.

Ed will be remembered for his outgoing personality and generosity, earning the respect of everyone he knew. He was always there to support his family members and friends, never asking for anything in return. Ed had such a big heart and will be missed profoundly by all who were lucky to know and love him.

The family would like to express gratitude for the compassionate care extended to Ed over the recent years by his Visiting Angels in-home caregivers, for making him comfortable and always treating him with respect and dignity.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 70 Gulf St., Milford, CT 06460 (Please Meet Directly at Church). Interment and Graveside Military Honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave., Milford, CT 06460. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, Boys Town www.boystown.org, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org.

To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com