Honorees

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Year Honored
1996
Honoree
Francis H O'Brien
Agency
Kilmarnock-Lancaster VRS
Agency City
Kilmarnock
Agency State
VA
Last Call
8/9/69
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
Francis O'Brien had resigned from active duty with the Kilmarnock-Lancaster Squad because of a heart attack 18 months before his death. However, on August 9, 1969 Francis agreed to help the squad after several calls had active volunteers busy. As the squad was transporting a heart attack victim from the doctor's office to a local hospital Francis also suffered a heart attack, his second. The patient helped care for Francis as they returned to the doctor's office.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, Francis died en route to the hospital, but his patient was reported in fair condition by the hospital later that night.<br /> <br /> Francis was 51 at the time of his death. Francis was a heating and air conditioning serviceman and a member of the Kilmarnock United Methodist Church. He had served the Kilmarnock-Lancaster squad as treasurer, chaplain, captain, and state convention delegate.<br /> <br /> He was survived by his wife, Margaret, a daughter and son, and two grandchildren.<br /> <br /> He gave his life helping another.<br /> <br /> Honored 1996