Cary O’Brien

Cary O'Brien, of Saint Peters, MO, passed away at the age of 56 on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the age of 56. Cary was preceded in death by his father, Glen Johnson; his stepfather, David O’Brien; and his father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Marla Ely.

Cary is survived by his beloved wife, Talisa O’Brien; his daughters, Chloe Elle O'Brien, Sydney Layne O'Brien (Jaime) Zarate Sada, Isabel Maria O'Brien, and Mia Lucita O'Brien; his mother, Josephine O’Brien; his siblings, Perry (Dagmar) O'Brien, Natalie Terry, and Terri (Brian) Davis; his stepmother, Carol Johnson; his siblings-in-law, Shayla (Randall) Hubler, Craig (Dana) Ely,  Tiffany Ely; and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Cary was born on April 25, 1963 in St. Louis, Missouri. He spent his childhood in St. Charles and then in Poplar Bluff, MO for junior high and high school. He wrestled, ran XC, and was involved in the marching band playing trumpet.  While in high school, Cary began apprenticing in his mother’s salon learning to do hair. He then began working in her salon in St. Charles and slowly took it over as his own.

It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Talisa Ely. They had four beautiful daughters who Cary was completely in love with. Everything he did, planned for, worked for, was for the five girls in his life.

Cary had much success as a hairdresser. In 1990, Cary began working as a part time educator for Rusk, Inc., and quickly moved up to the Creative Team doing hair on stage at hair shows. He was then asked to go full time as their National Educational Manager, training and managing educators across the country. This job required a lot of traveling and being away from the salon and his family.  After the birth of their third child in 1999, Cary left his position with Rusk and he and Talisa opened their newly expanded salon and spa. Cary then became involved the Profession Beauty Association- a trade organization that dealt with the business side of running a salon.  He served on the board for many years and then as President of the salon section for two years.  Cary O’Brien’s Salon & Spa is celebrating thirty years of business this year. And Cary was so proud of this achievement and was looking forward to celebrating with his team and clients throughout the year.

Cary was so much more than a father, husband, and salon owner. Cary had a personality larger than life.  He was the jokester, the thinker, the conversationalist, the leader, the doer, the manager, and so much more. He made everyone feel special no matter who they were or what the situation. He was sensitive, caring, always teaching, coaching. He was an avid runner and had run over thirty marathons.  He passed this love of running on to his four girls who all ran in high school and one going on to run in college.  He was the dad at every XC and track meet cheering on not just his daughter, but every kid on the team.  He was a boss that cared about his team professionally and personally and treated them like one of his own kids.

Cary had an abundance of friends that he deeply cared about.  He was a member of the St. Charles Runners Club- and he and Talisa have formed so many amazing life-long friends due to his involvement with running.

Cary had so many interests.  He loved the outdoors, working in his yard and on his house, hunting, red wine, and good food. He and Talisa loved spending time in their camper on the farm, camping with friends, but more than anything-Cary loved spending time with their children and watching them grow into incredible women. He was truly a “Girl Dad."

The hole he has left on the world is deep and felt by so many.

Memorial contributions in Cary's name may be made to Girls on the Run - St. Louis.