John OBrien useless: Radio legend dies after cancer | UK News
Rock 102 radio legend John O’Brien has sadly died at the age of 65, after battling cancer for the last 14 years. The radio co-host died on Sunday (November 23), with his death announced yesterday (November 28). His death got here just a day before the start of the annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive in Springfield, Massachusetts – a fundraising event he had helped to organise for years.
John handed away “peacefully at home” surrounded by household, after battling melanoma for the last 13 years. He is survived by his mom Rita, and stepfather John, along with his spouse Kym and a number of nieces and nephews. An obituary for the star on the Rock 102 web site read: “John’s unique personality was his strength, and he loved talking about a variety of issues that made some people happy and others upset. He would always look at life half empty but without him even realising it, he made people think.
“He was always sharing difficulties in his own life on the air which on many occasions helped others deal with their own challenges.”
It added: “John would also thank all of his fans and listeners, he had a love/hate relationship with his fans, but when he was no longer on the radio, it was the one thing he missed.”
Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno also paid tribute to the star, stating: “John fought a valiant public battle with his cancer challenges, which inspired many of us. If he wasn’t busting your or my chops, you’d know that something was wrong.”
John was told in October 2025 that he had less than a yr to live, and admitted: “I don’t welcome death, but I don’t fear it either.”
He said: “I didn’t think [doctors] were going to tell me six to 12 months. I was surprised. But you face another day.”
He had offered 6,500 of his Bax and O’Brien radio show with co-host Michael Baxendale, which amounted to around 19,000 hours on the airwaves.
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