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John O’Brien(right) with his son in Eire Sept 2006. Family Photo<br />
to the economic downturn <strong>of</strong> the late 1980’s and was eventually dissolved by the partners.<br />
John then set up as a home consultant, focusing on the supply <strong>of</strong> aggregates and industrial<br />
minerals. He was largely responsible for the identification and development <strong>of</strong> important<br />
new basalt resources in the Bombay Hills and North Auckland. An intensely practical<br />
geologist, he was highly regarded for his pragmatic approach and complete integrity.<br />
Notably, he provided consulting services without any hint <strong>of</strong> conflict <strong>of</strong> interest to the three<br />
main aggregate suppliers in Auckland. He will be remembered by his industrial colleagues<br />
for his unfailing pursuit <strong>of</strong> a means <strong>of</strong> understanding and predicting the demand for<br />
aggregates, particularly in Auckland, which resulted in his appearance as an expert at<br />
resource management hearings and the publication <strong>of</strong> several papers on the subject.<br />
Throughout all this, other interests were maintained. On occasional trips back to NZ during<br />
my 20 years overseas, I found that Second Lieutenant O’Brien (despite an intense dislike <strong>of</strong><br />
weaponry) had metamorphosed progressively into Lieutenant - Captain – Major – Colonel,<br />
and eventually into Brigadier J.P. O’Brien commanding the NZ Territorial Force. Beyond<br />
question, his prime motive as a military <strong>of</strong>ficer was that <strong>of</strong> “keeping-the-peace”. He was<br />
appointed aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> in 1995. But<br />
undoubtedly, the driving forces behind his life were family and his Catholic faith. The<br />
O’Brien family grew with the arrival first <strong>of</strong> John David, then the twins Daniel and Joanna -<br />
the last, somewhat to her father’s surprise and delight, has taken up a career in geology.<br />
To those who worked with him, be it in geology or in the military, John O’Brien was a<br />
consummate pr<strong>of</strong>essional, to others he was the greatest <strong>of</strong> friends, always good for a rousing<br />
argument and with a fine disdain for academic clap-trap, stalwart in character and resolute in<br />
his faith. He is and will continue to be greatly missed.<br />
GSNZ <strong>New</strong>sletter 143 (2007) Page 28