TAPPI Announces the Passing of Former Member John F. "Jack" O’Brien
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John F. “Jack” O’Brien, a 22-year active member of TAPPI from 1979 – 2001 and long-time industry advocate, passed away on September 6, 2022.
“Although I did not have the pleasure of meeting Jack, his legacy in this industry looms large having served as Editor and Publisher at PaperAge magazine for so many years,” noted TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague. “His participation and presence at many TAPPI conferences and exhibits was not only anticipated, but greeted with deep appreciation because of his expansive knowledge and in-depth coverage of all things paper.”
A journalism graduate of Boston University, Jack also completed Officer Candidate School with the Army National Guard and was appointed as a Reserve Commissioned Officer at the grade of Second Lieutenant. Following graduation, he joined his father’s publishing business, writing for Paper Mill News before moving on in 1960 to Miller Freeman where he served as Northeast Regional Sales Manager. In the early 70s, Jack joined his colleague, Ken Johnson, as a partner and co-publisher of PaperAge where he was instrumental in establishing the publication’s annual “Executive Papermaker of the Year” award. Throughout the years, his work brought him in touch with countless paper mills and industry suppliers in the U.S. and Canada, and as the magazine’s industry coverage grew, so too did his travels, expanding to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Italy.
Montague continued, “On behalf of all TAPPI members, volunteers and staff, we share our heartfelt condolences with his family and friends, including sons John and Mike who continue to carry their father’s legacy at PaperAge into this decade and beyond.”
