Mr Dennis James O'Brien

20 November 192920 January 2026

Former Director of the Southern Industrial Development Division of DSIR and Metallurgist DSIR Gracefield, Lower Hutt. Fellow of the Institute of Engineers. Representative on the Faculty of Engineering Canterbury University, and Government appointee on the Council of Christchurch Polytechnic (CPIT).
Died peacefully on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, aged 96. Dearly loved husband of the late Margaret. Much loved father and father-in-law of David and Glennys, Janet and Graeme (deceased) and Ken (deceased), Peter and Noelleen (deceased), Sarah, Graham and Lee-ann. Loved grandad of Tom, and Tess, James, Jade, and Julian, Scott, and Stacy, Hannah, and Joel. Loved great grandad of Asher, and Claudia, Carter, Charlotte, and Oscar, (plus one soon to arrive).
In the UK, loved brother and brother-in-law to Diane and Bob (deceased), Patricia and Pete (both deceased) and all his nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Merivale Retirement Village. In lieu of flowers donations can be made directly online to Save the Children NZ. 
A Requiem Mass for Dennis will be held at St Gregory’s Catholic Church, 26 Cotswold Avenue, Bishopdale, Christchurch on Friday, January 30, at 10.30.am. Private cremation thereafter.

Funeral service held at St Gregory's Catholic Church

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