In 20 years of living Cory touched a lot of lives with his infectious smile, good humor and overall love for life. Cory was a junior at Washington State University where he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity, President's Honor Roll and National Scholarship Society. Entering his junior year he was carrying an overall 3.75 G.P.A. He planned on majoring in Management Information Systems but his true desire was to become an Emergency Medical Technician with a Fire Dept. Growing up he participated in swimming, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, skiing, and boxing. His favorite organized sport was soccer and thoroughly enjoyed playing on a select soccer team and the Eastlake High School team. During the summers he lifeguarded at Pine Lake Beach, Plateau Club, and Semena Pools. Two weeks before his death he saved an eight-year old boy at Pine Lake from drowning.
Cory had an unyielding desire to learn and live each day to the fullest. Shortly after passing away on August 16, 2004 from complications associated with viral pneumonia, the Cory O'Brien Memorial Scholarship Fund was established. Cory loved the community on the Sammamish Plateau, as this was the only home he ever knew. Cory lived each day to the fullest with a passion for learning and he appreciated the true wealth that can be obtained in living life to its fullest. In his short 20 years, he experienced more things than most people do in a lifetime.
The following quote from actor Danny Kaye best sums up Cory's perspective on life...
"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can."
