Obituary of Timothy William O'Brien

Timothy William O'Brien (84) of Horseheads, NY died on May 8, 2024 after a short illness. Tim was born in 1939 in Buffalo, NY to William and Gertrude (Barker) O'Brien. He graduated from Boys Vocation High School and Erie County Community College with a degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing. In 1959 he came to Elmira to work at the newly opened downtown Sears where he met the love of his life, Margaret Dolan, manager of the candy department. They married in 1966. Alongside his career working at Sears and later opening West Elmira Optical/O'Brien Hearing Aid Center, Tim's love of his family and horses became legendary. He trained harness horses at the Chemung County Fairgrounds, his favorite place on earth, for over 50 years. The family has fond memories of watching Tim's horses race each year at the Chemung County Fair and other fairs throughout New York State. Through his hard work and the support of his family and fellow entrepreneurs including the Steed family, Tim became a success in a business focused on helping folks to see and hear clearly. It is a legacy he cherished. Most of the younger relatives and his sons' friends will remember Tim as the "Funseeker" since this was his preferred greeting to them. Tim is survived by his wife Margaret of 58 years, sons Timothy R. O'Brien/wife Liane and Sean M. O'Brien/wife Erin; twin-sister Patricia (O'Brien) Barber; along with grandchildren: Connor, Brenna, Margaret, and Nathan. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his beloved Uncle Robert Lewis (Bobby), brothers-in-law Richard and Jim, sister-in- law Joan and nephews Todd and JJ. Family and friends are invited to visit the Barber Funeral Home, 413 S. Main St., in Horseheads, NY on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. A time of sharing will follow at 7:00pm. A Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Woodlawn Cemetery, entering through the Bancroft Road Gate, at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, feel free to bet on your favorite standard bred racehorse in Tim's honor.