Written by Los Altos Town Crier Report
James F. (Jim) O’Brien, a 59 year resident of Los Altos, passed away on 02/15/2021. He was born and raised in Queens, NYC.
Jim was preceded in death by siblings Joan C, John T, and Jeanne M, as well as daughter Kathleen S. He is survived by Sharon E, his blue-eyed bride of 60 years, plus sons Kevin J and Daniel C.
An Army veteran, Jim first served in the European Army of Occupation during 1945-47, and from
1951-53 during the Korean War.
Interspersed with his military services, Jim earned an Economics degree from Fordham University and an MBA from NYU. He was also a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program.
Jan. 1, 1927-May 6, 2019
John had passed over a year ago, but due to the pandemic, the family could not return home to Towanda, to find the obituary he himself had written and directed the family to use at the time of his death.
A couple of things John does not mention that the family wishes all to know is first, Johnâs job had him traveling the world, but though he was many times offered jobs in many countries and states, he always chose to keep his family in his beloved Towanda, Pennsylvania. Also, John was extremely modest about his accomplishments and contributions to his communities, workforce and mankind.
It is easy to guess what this is â a rainbow spatterware water pitcher. But how old is it? Spatterware was first made in the late 1700s in England, but most found today dates from about 1800 to 1850 in Staffordshire, England, made to sell in the United States.
Unfortunately, the word âspatterwareâ now has several meanings, probably because novice collectors didnât realize there is a difference between spatter and spongeware. Another hazard is that there are fairly good copies of spatterware made today to be used in the kitchen. Experts can tell the old from the new by the shape, weight and the white glaze color. They also know the difference in the look of a spattered paint mark and the mark left by a paint-dipped sponge. Old rainbow spatter like this pitcher is expensive. This piece sold with the buyersâ premium for $5,227.