Patrick O’Brien, known to many as Paddy or Pat, passed away suddenly at home in Tonbridge on 7th May, aged 74.

The eldest child of Lenny and Hazel (or Joan as everyone knew her) and brother to Anne, Theresa and Jane O’Brien. Patrick had a wicked sense of humor and was always very inquisitive, even from a young age.

He attended All Saints School then, later, St Nicholas Primary School before moving to Sidmouth Secondary School. He then attended Exeter College, followed by Bath University until transferring to Culham College, Oxford where he completed his teacher training, specialising in Physics.

During his teenage years in Sidmouth he was a keen Sea Scout, an enthusiastic rugby player for the Sidmouth Colts and a member of the choir at Sidmouth Parish Church. He also volunteered for several events in the town and helped to run Kitcheners and The Forge.

During his school breaks he worked various jobs including at the Royal York Hotel as a dishwasher and occasional waiter and later, while on breaks from university and Culham College, as a drayman for Devenish Brewery in Sidmouth and in wine shops where he developed a great knowledge of wine and of course a taste for it.

Patrick’s first teaching appointment, in 1974, was at Senacre School in Maidstone and during his time there he completed a degree with The Open University which enabled him, in 1982, to subsequently take up the Head of Science position at Hayling Manor Secondary School in Croydon.

Having then completed his Masters Degree at Canterbury, he took on a science advisory role back at the West Kent Professional Teacher Development Centre before taking on a similar position in Berkshire that also included school inspections as part of OFSTED through to 1998. Patrick then worked as an Educational Consultant for the next 20 years delivering school training programmes focussed primarily on gifted and talented students around the world.

His over-riding passion in life was one of education and the influence he had on both fellow teachers and students alike over a 40+ year period was immense. He lectured widely, authored science textbooks and trained speciality teachers for both gifted and disadvantaged students. Patrick was also an accomplished military historian and battlefield tour participant and was never happier than when exploring the Normandy beaches or the Poppy Fields of Flanders.

He was also very proud of being an officer in the Royal Observer Corps then UKWMO at the height of the Cold War and took part in many key exercises, plotting and interpreting nuclear fallout zones and hazard areas. He loved to travel, visiting as many countries as he could, discovering their cultures, architecture and, of course, food.

Music also played a very important part in his life as shown by his extensive collection of vinyl and cd's. Following his retirement in 2018, Patrick, who was a great book lover, found immense enjoyment in volunteering his time at the Oxfam Books shop in Tonbridge, attempting to and succeeding in raising much needed funds by uncovering a fair few gems among the donated volumes.

A great family man even though he never had children of his own, Patrick took a great interest in his nephews and nieces and their children. He is very sadly missed and will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Sandi, and his two surviving sisters, Theresa and Jane. Sadly his elder sister Annie died just a few months before him.

His funeral took place at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium, Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday 11th June 2024.