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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
JAMES L. "BOZ" O'BRIEN, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called James L. "Boz" O'Brien from our midst on January 28, 2026, at the age of seventy-five; and
WHEREAS, James L. "Boz" O'Brien was the loving and devoted father of Brendan O'Brien and Dan (Emily) O'Brien, and the proud and adoring "Grandpa Boz" to his grandson, Michael; and
WHEREAS, James L. "Boz" O'Brien was the devoted son of the late Lawrence and Margaret O'Brien; and
WHEREAS, James L. "Boz" O'Brien was the dear brother of Sheila (Maurice) McNulty, Paula (Jeff) Litman, Joanie (late Edmund) Obiala, Kevin (Patricia) O'Brien, Larry (Marie) O'Brien, and Caron (Edward) Hayes; and
WHEREAS, James L. "Boz" O'Brien was a cherished uncle, cousin, and friend to many, whose warmth, storytelling, and generosity touched countless lives; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Queen of Martyrs Elementary School and Brother Rice High School, James L. "Boz" O'Brien embodied the spirit of Chicago's South Side Irish community throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, on June 16, 1976, at just twenty-four years of age, James L. "Boz" O'Brien founded Reilly's Daughter, transforming it into a cornerstone of South Side Irish life and a gathering place rooted in laughter, music, fellowship, and neighborhood pride; and
WHEREAS, through his remarkable ability to remember names, connect people, and welcome everyone as family, Boz created a pub where generations of Chicagoans forged friendships, celebrated milestones, and felt a deep sense of belonging; and
WHEREAS, Reilly's Daughter welcomed notable figures including Chicago Bears players, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, and Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, who once broadcast his television show live from the pub, further cementing its reputation as a beloved community institution; and
WHEREAS, Boz expanded his vision in 2002 with a second Reilly's Daughter location at Midway Airport, and later returned to the original Oak Lawn site...
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