Branford ‘Icon’ Feeling Great After Undergoing Heart Procedure

BRANFORD, CT - If you are from Branford or anywhere from Greater New Haven, well, you know Bill O’Brien.

And if you know Bill O’Brien, well, you know he’s been a bit under the weather.

But Bill wants everyone to know he’s fully recovered from a four-day hospital stay, where he had a pacemaker implanted.

He’s already feeling better and back in action.

Bill described his recent procedure thusly on social media:

“Poppy’s making a comeback. Thanks to a road block put up by Hand cheerleader coaches Licia Ciotti and Carla Carusone who recognized I was having a problem at Friday’s Hand-Xavier game that was followed up with a couple of Hunter Ambulance EMS’s and good friend Jay Dombrowski, also an EMS technician and captain with the Milford Fire Department, and my daughter-in-law Nancy OB I was in good hands and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital with a low heart rate.

“I was given a pacemaker and I’m home already. I can’t tell you how much it means to me with the prayers and well wishes I received from so many folks. It made me feel like a million dollars. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness.”

What Bill didn’t know, but probably should have, is when he broke the news on social media of his heart scare, that scores would reach out to the beloved ex-banker and photographer to make sure he’s all right.

That’s right - we’re talking hundreds and hundreds of well-wishers who have gotten used to seeing Bill - and his camera - at their community event the past few decades.

“I even heard from Rosa," O’Brien said, referring to U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Bill said in a quick interview he did with Patch before he was off to dinner with his family. “Tell everyone, please, I’m feeling great.”

O’Brien, who is a member of the Branford Sports Hall of Fame, said he has been flooded with good wishes since word spread of what he referred to as his “little incident.”

A native of New Haven, O’Brien is a 1958 graduate of Notre Dame High School where he participated in football and other school activities. In 1962, O’Brien graduated from Quinnipiac University with a B.S. and played basketball for two years. After serving in the U.S. Army reserves he began a career in banking.

During his 42-year career in commercial banking, O’Brien earned a reputation for being a leader in the banking industry in New Haven area and an important contributor to the well being of the Greater New Haven community. He rose to the rank of Senior Vice President at Lafayette American Bank. He retired from New Alliance Bank in 2005.

His lifelong commitment to athletics manifested in his involvement in the Walter Camp Football Foundation for four decades, serving as its President from 1979-1981.

In addition, O’Brien has been a board member of the nationally recognized New Haven Road Race since 1981 and served a two-year term as President from 1989-1991. Since the time the Southern Connecticut Conference was formed, he has been its major leader, serving as Commissioner of this high school conference from 1994 until 2005. He continues his close association with the conference’s 22 schools as Commissioner Emeritus, raising funds through sponsorships for academic, artistic and athletic activities.

O’Brien has held several prominent leadership roles in the community, including Campaign Chair of the Greater New Haven United Way, Campaign Chair for Notre Dame High School’s $2 million ‘Light on the Hill’ Capital Campaign, co chair of Hannah’s Dream Playground Project in New Haven, fundraising chairman of the Daniel Cosgrove Branford Animal Shelter and co chair of St Mary’s Church Parish Center Campaign.

O’Brien’s many other activities include service to the Branford Economic Development Commission, the Connecticut Special Olympics, the Archbishops Annual Appeal, Branford Board of Recreation, Chairman of the Branford Festival and Grand Marshal of the Branford Memorial Day Parade and the New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He also served on the Board of Directors of Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce and the Quinnipiac University Board of Trustees.

O’Brien has been a National Football Foundation member since 1987. He was elected chapter President and Treasurer in 1992. He has provided key leadership for the New Haven chapter’s activities including the annual Scholar Athlete Dinner and Hall of Fame Classic All Star Game vs. the Fairfield County chapter’s team each July.

O’Brien was selected to become a member of board of directors of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF).

The always upbeat O’Brien told Patch he has no intention of slowing down, so expect to see him with his trusty camera by his side, at your favorite upcoming community event.

“I’m as good as new,” is how he described his health, reiterating he’s already back photographing the thousands of youth sporting events and everything else he has shot over the decades.

Welcome Back Bill! That’s good news for Branford - meaning whether it’s youth sports, road races, parades or other community events, your favorite photographer will be there clicking away.