Thomas O'Brien

1931 - 2015

Thomas O'Brien
July 4, 1931 - March 15, 2015
Orinda, CA
Thomas Joseph O'Brien Jr. was born July 4, 1931 in Portland, Maine to Thomas Joseph and Gladys O'Brien. He died peacefully March 15, 2015 in the loving presence of his family. His ever positive attitude, fighting spirit and unwavering faith in God gave him the strength to persevere through many years of debilitating illness. He loved life and he loved his family. He was a man who exemplified humility, faith, compassion, kindness, hard work and success; a man who earned the respect of all who knew him because of the very honorable way he always lived his life.
In his younger years, as the son of a successful hotel manager, he was accustomed to moving between The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida and The Greenbriar in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia. When his family moved to Lenox, Massachusetts he was very fortunate to attend the Cranwell Preparatory School, a Jesuit institution where he received a fine education, excelled in several sports and graduated in 1949. He enrolled at Boston College, graduating in 1953. While at Boston College he met his future wife, Joan Roy, of Newton, Massachusetts with whom he spent over 61 wonderful years.
After College he served a number of years in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant on the destroyer USS Benner. During his service he made cruises to both the Mediterranean and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He had a love of travel and adventure. He and Joan took many trips near and far during their lifetime together.
In 1954 he joined Shell Oil Company in the Marketing Division where he held positions of increasing responsibility throughout his 40 year career with the firm. With various management assignments in New York, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Oakland, San Francisco, Houston and Honolulu, he developed lasting friendships that spanned the years as well as the country.
A wonderful husband and father, he loved to sing, loved a good pun and loved watching a ballgame. He was an avid reader; often finishing a book a day. He was an excellent golfer; making ten hole-in-ones. He had a very charming personality and it wasn't unusual to hear that he'd befriended yet another celebrity on his travels. He had an unassuming yet confident way about him. Witnessing his many good fortunes one could fairly assume that he must have been born under a lucky star. He always took the time to look after and ask about the well-being of his loved ones. He was a leader, supporter, cheerleader and champion for his family. He never gave up on any of his children no matter what. Most importantly, he was a true servant of God.
He leaves behind the love of his life, Joan and their six children: Tom O'Brien Jr., (Lesa) Atlanta GA, Lynn O'Brien, (Peter) San Francisco CA, Stephen O'Brien, Yuba City CA, Peter O'Brien, (Cindy) Concord CA, Michael O'Brien, (Laura) Dunedin, NZ, Mark O'Brien, (Tracey) Corvallis OR. He has 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He dearly loved them all and they in turn loved him also. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service to be held at Santa Maria Church, Orinda, March 25, 10 o'clock with a reception following at Orinda Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, Catholic Charities or a non-profit of your choice.