Paul Joseph O’Brien P. Eng. of Buchans, son of John O’Brien (1913-1985) and Blanche (MacDonald) O’Brien (1922-1999) passed away on Monday, March 25 2013 at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s.

Born June 28th, 1949 in Buchans, Paul is survived by his wife Helen (Collins) O’Brien, sons Liam [Erin] and Michael [Jessica] O’Brien, daughter Margaret (Meg)[Paul] O’Brien, brothers George [Louise], Gerry [Betsy], and John O’Brien, sister Denise O’Brien, sisters in law Regina [Bill] Bailey, Mary [Gary] Erickson, Elizabeth [Peter] Nowlan, predeceased by brother-in-law Michael [Phyllis] Collins.

From 1972 to 1984, Paul served as a key part of the engineering department at Asarco’s Buchans unit with responsibilities in mine planning, safety and environmental remediation (recognized for his work in the area of base metals tailings re-vegetation). He served as the last Mine Superintendent for Asarco’s Buchans mining operations from 1982 until the end of 1984.

In 1985, Paul founded Buchans Enterprises and had served as its owner and manager since that time. In addition to many notable consultancy, construction and remediation projects undertaken all over Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly as relate to mining, he was responsible for spearheading and developing the Barite mining project at Buchans. His expertise on Buchans mines and orebodies, as well as his knowledge of the Tulks Hill deposit has been drawn upon by most major mineral companies working in the Red Indian Lake watershed area over the past three decades.

As Buchans faced its most turbulent and difficult years in the aftermath of Asarco closure, Paul chose to stay and build a successful company. He believed in Buchans. He had a work ethic matched only by his generosity, sense of humour and keen technical mind.

James A Michener once said : “Scientists dream about doing things, engineers do them.” Paul did so much in the course of his life – as an engineer, as a businessman, as a friend, and most importantly as a loving husband, father, and brother.


Unmatched as a husband and father, and missed in ways that words completely fail to describe, he inspires in his family not only the strongest and deepest love, but also the fiercest and most unwavering pride.

Thank You to the staff and doctors at A.M. Guy Memorial Health Care Centre in Buchans, the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Care Centre (in particular Anne Rowsell and the Dialysis Unit) in Grand Falls-Windsor as well as the nursing staff and doctors of the Coronary Care Unit of the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. A special thank you to Doctor Paul of Health Sciences Nephrology Unit, and Doctors MacCallum, Furey , and Connors of the Health Sciences Coronary Care Unit. Your respectful kindness, hard work, and professionalism is very much appreciated.

Funeral Service will be held at 12pm on Friday March 29 at St. Theresa’s Parish in Buchans. Visitation from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday March 28. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the South and Central Health Foundation.

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