O'BRIEN, MATTHEW J. (17 Nov. 1894-21 Aug. 1992) founded the O'Brien and Nye Cartage Company in 1929, one of the first Cleveland companies to use refrigerated trucks to transport meat and groceries. He helped establish the Cleveland Draymen Employers' Association and was a founder and trustee of the Health and Welfare Fund, a union benefits plan. For his PHILANTHROPY, URSULINE COLLEGE awarded him the Ursula Laurus Medal and named the campus student center after him. O'Brien was born in Cleveland, one of 9 children of Edward P. and Mary Jane Kelly O'Brien. During WORLD WAR I, he was awarded the Purple Heart for his service with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
On 20 July 1920 O'Brien married Anna G. Driscoll; they had 6 children, Raymond F., Norma M. (Mrs. Martin J.) Carney, Sister Margaret, O.S.U., Jane (Mrs. Donald J.) O'Connor, and Norman J. and John M., both deceased by 1992. O'Brien served on the advisory board of Ursuline College and helped organize the Father's Club at BEAUMONT SCHOOL to assist fatherless girls with tuition. A world traveller, he revelled in leading his children and grandchildren on cross-country trips. O'Brien is buried in CALVARY CEMETERY.