Father John Pius O'Brien, a Dominican priest who served Holy Cross and St. Philip Benizi Catholic churches died Oct. 1 of cancer. He was 61.

Father O'Brien was born May 9, 1932 in Providence, RI. He attended St. Raymond School in Providence, St. Raphael's Academy in Pawtucket and Providence College. Father O'Brien was professed in St. Joseph's Province of the Dominican Order on Aug. 16, 1953 and was ordained a priest at St. Dominic's Church, Washington, D.C. on June 5, 1959.

From 1960 until 1972, he was assigned as a missionary at St. Dominic's, Bahawalpur, West Pakistan. In 1979, he joined the new Southern Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres.

He served in parish ministry at St. Ann's parish, Kingstree, SC, Holy Cross, Atlanta, and St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro. He also engaged in pastoral care at hospitals in New Your City, Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC, and St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN.

In April, 1991, he joined a new Dominican mission at the Ukweli Reflection Center in Kisumu, Kenya and remained there until April 1993.

He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas E. and Mary (McLaughlin) O'Brien, by his brother, Dr. Thomas E. O'Brien and his sister, Mary.

Father O'Brien is survived by his sister, Mrs. Claire McGeehan, Myrtle Beach, SC, a brother, Raymond O'Brien of Falls Church, VA, several nieces and nephews.

Visitations were held Oct. 5 at St. Philip Benizi, followed by a prayer service, and Oct. 6 at Holy Cross, followed by the funeral Mass. Archbishop John F. Donoghue was to celebrate the funeral Mass and interment was to be at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home, 760 Washington St., S.W., Atlanta 30315.