William Cuyler O'Brien of Red Creek passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 after a long illness.
He was born on April 17, 1948, to Ruth (Cuyler) and Paul "Dan" O'Brien.
He graduated from Red Creek Central School in 1966 and received his accounting degree from Ithaca
College in 1970. After college, Bill returned to Red Creek to work alongside his father and brother in their
family business, Putman and O'Brien. He loved being his own boss because it gave him time to be
engaged in his community, from being a trustee and mayor of Red Creek to coaching for Wayuga
Recreation soccer. During his time as mayor, Red Creek built a new pedestrian bridge on South Street and
a new Village hall and fire hall complex – accomplishments for which he was very proud.
Bill was always the life of the party and enjoyed spending time with his friends. He had various preferred
watering holes over the years, but his very favorite place to spend time was his camp in Tichborne,
Ontario. He will be remembered for antics on the diving board, trying new tricks on his waterskis, and
spending hours driving the boat to help kids learn to ski with his oldest friend, Gary Schumaker.
Getting into an argument with Bill was a definite no-win situation for anyone but him. Know-it-alls are
especially annoying when it turns out that much of the time they are right. He had a heart of gold and
would take the shirt off his back to help a friend. His impish smile, sense of humor and healthy ego will be
missed.
When Bill left his position as mayor, he submitted a letter to the editor reflecting on his time in public
office. At the end, he quoted something his dad told him, "Bill, you may come and go, but you'll always
call Red Creek your home." He concluded that his dad was right, "Red Creek is my kind of town." Red
Creek will forever be his town, and it will not be the same for his family and friends without him.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda (Teachman) O'Brien, his four children, Jennifer (John) Owens of
Arlington, VA, William D. O'Brien, of Washington, DC, Brittany (Nate) O'Brien-Drake of Clifton Park, NY
and Brooke O'Brien of Red Creek. He is also survived by a sister, Jill (Gil) McDonald, two granddaughters,
Maggie and Caroline Owens, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at the Becker-Keysor Funeral Home in Red Creek on Saturday, February 5, Calling
hours will be held from 10am to 12pm, with a brief service to follow at noon. Burial to take place in the spring at Southside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,
contributions in Bill's memory can be made to the Red Creek Food Cupboard, PO Box 313, Red Creek, NY
13143.