June 29, 1933 – November 23, 2018
O’Brien Riordan, 85, of Aptos, CA died at home surrounded by family and friends on November 23, 2018.
O’Brien was born in Livermore Falls, Maine and resided there on the family farm until graduating high school in 1951. He then joined the Navy and served during the Korean War. O’Brien moved to San Jose, CA and attended San Jose State University while also working as an orderly at a local hospital to support himself through school. He met his future wife Angelina Riordan, a nurse, while working at the hospital. Following graduation, O’Brien taught Spanish for several years at Watsonville High School. In 1967 Aptos High School opened and O’Brien joined the faculty there. He taught Spanish until his retirement in 2004.
It was during O’Brien’s first years as a teacher that he worked to charter a chapter of American Federation of Teachers in 1969. O’Brien ran for congress and campaigned actively for the Democratic Party in the 1960’s thru the early 2000’s.
He was a beloved and dedicated teacher to many students, going above and beyond his role in the classroom, whether it was helping students successfully apply to college or to provide extra support to students during a family crisis. It was a common occurrence for the duration of his life that O’Brien would be warmly approached in the community by past students who fondly remembered him during their Aptos High days. For many years during the summer season O’Brien also served as a Park Ranger at Richardson Grove State Park in Humboldt County. Upon his retirement from full-time teaching, he continued to teach ESL classes to Spanish speakers in Watsonville. Throughout retirement O’Brien enjoyed extensive travel in South America, Europe and New Zealand. He was an avid hiker, bike rider and always enjoyed good conversation with old friends, students and colleagues he would run into throughout Santa Cruz County.
O’Brien was preceded in death by his former wife and best friend, Angelina (Soto) Riordan. He leaves his adult children Michael Riordan of Ventura, Sean Riordan of Santa Cruz, Eileen Christopherson of South San Francisco, and Morey Riordan of Berkeley, as well as grandson Simon Singh Bhuller-Riordan of Berkeley. Donations in O’Brien’s name can be made to Santa Cruz County Hospice at www.hospicesantacruz.org
A memorial service will be held for O’Brien on Sunday, January 20, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way, Aptos, CA 95003 in the Performing Arts Center.
