It saddens us to hear of the passing of Joe O’Brien K1LCQ last January 9, 2017. Joe was for many years an icon of the East Mass Two Meter Traffic Net, holding the position of Friday night NCS for at least 30 years before becoming ill last year. When I first upgraded to General class from a Novice in 1982 Joe was on the Boston repeater reliably every Friday and always signed off with “88s to the ladies”. We will surely miss him. RIP Joe and 73 from the gang on EM2MN
The follow article was posted on this website in 2008:
MEET JOE O’BRIEN K1LCQ
Born June 28, 1926 in Jamaica Plain. Graduated from St. Ann’s School Neponset June 1939. Graduated from Mechanic Arts High School (now Boston Tech) June 1943. Served US Army Air Corps as a bandsman and also a broadcaster on the base Armed Forces Radio Station at Fort Pepperell Newfoundland, August 1945 to December 1946. Played the trombone in the Army and also locally with American Legion Bands, but I was a lousy trombone player.
Upon return to civilian life I worked for phone company 1947 – 1949. Joined the City of Boston Public Works Dept. in 1950 and later the Boston Water and Sewer Dept. until retirement in 1996. The last 15 years of which I served as their Radio Dispatcher and was responsible for keeping their repeaters in operating condition, working with FCC licensed contractors.
Joined the ranks of amateur radio June 10, 1959 as a tech and operated six meter AM. Upgraded to General Glass and Advance class a few years later. At that time Hams took their exams in the FCC Office at the Custom House Building in downtown Boston. Joined EM2MN back in the days when it was on 145.800 using AM emission before we had FM and repeaters. Had to use Beam Antennas to communicate and pass traffic. That was back in 1978. Have been NCS on EM2MN on Friday nights for 25 years.
The following is a link to Joe’s obituary.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/joseph-o%27brien-obituary?pid=1000000183534980&view=guestbook