NEMA Stalwart Jimmy O’Brien Passes
The Northeastern Midget Association lost one of its most dedicated competitors and contributors Monday with the passing of Jimmy O’Brien. As a car owner and officer, O’Brien helped to write over four decades of NEMA history.
A long-time Cheshire, CT resident, O’Brien, 69, died of complications of an aortic aneurysm repair at New York Presbyterian Medical Center.
A NEMA member since 1970, O’Brien said his greatest moment came in 1990 when son Matt jumped into his #16. That relationship carried into this season.
Introduced to the Midgets by his father, O’Brien got involved back in the early 1950s. After two years working with others in NEMA, he joined the owner ranks with the Ray Kelly #33. He always referred to Kelly, a NEMA legend, “as my mentor.” Chuck Daniel and Len Thrall also played key roles in O’Brien’s early career.
A member of the NEMA Hall of Fame, he built his own cars and motors for almost his entire involvement with the club.
His drivers included Johnny Evans, Hank Stevens, Doug Cleveland, Steve Eldridge, Paul Stoehr and Roy Daniel. Cleveland and Evans won in O’Brien equipment; Stevens won the 1975 dirt track title.
He was a walking NEMA encyclopedia, always willing to share a wealth of club history. He was part of several “eras.” Always a defender of the low-buck competitor, O’Brien, elected to the Contest Board in 1973, was a guiding force for many years. A one-time vice president, he stepped down in 2003 after 13 years as the club treasurer.
“Jimmy’s dedication to NEMA was incredible, an inspiration really,” says club president Mike Scrivani Jr. “He loved the Midgets and NEMA in particular. He was an officer under several presidents. In all the years I knew Jim, seldom did he raise his voice. And over the past 10 years watching Jimmy and Matt was just a great thing.”
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR