Thomas M O'Brien

Thomas M. O'Brien of New Port Richey, Florida, formerly of Wonder Lake, Illinois passed into Eternal Independence on July 4th, 2023. Tom, as he was known, was born on June 22, 1941. The son of Francis and Mildred (Zimmerman) O'Brien. Tom graduated from McHenry High School in 1959. He attended Pierce Junior College in Reseda, California where he was a member of the wrestling team.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1961 where he served on many ships but ended his Naval Career as a Fire Control Officer and Plank owner of the U.S.S. Sam Rayburn SSBN-635. Tom was a hard hat diver, SCUBA diver and Underwater Explosive Demolition Team (U.D.T) member as well. While in the Navy he met the love of his life, Walterine Rochowicz while on leave in Wonder Lake, Illinois. They were married on October 1, 1966. Tom was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1968.

Tom became an Illinois State Trooper in 1969, I.D. #1530 starting the academy in Cadet Class 43 in March and graduating in July. Tom was assigned to District 2 - Elgin. He completed a 22+ year career in D-2 where he retired from on December 31, 1991. Tom served multiple roles in the Illinois State Police, including auto theft investigations, an original member of the Incident Response Team (SWAT before it was SWAT), a truck team member, Haz-Mat/Motor Carrier Safety Officer and an original member of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team.

Tom had 4 children. Jamie Ann, Raymond (Michelle), Theresa Schneider (Bryan) and Aaron (Maggie). He had 11 grandchildren, Ty (soon to be married to Bri), Victoria (soon to be married to Caleb), Tessa, Hunter, Kennedy, Haley, Camden, Joseph, Finley, Nikki, and Emily. He had 1 great grandchild Grayson.

Tom was also a 20 year member of the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District retiring as a Lieutenant, Dive Team founder and one of Illinois first Paramedics.

Tom enjoyed sailing, being a former member of the Wonder Lake Yacht Club following in his Dad's, Uncle's and Grandfather's footsteps. He enjoyed watching rodeo, after growing up watching his father ride as a rodeo cowboy, while being Trigger's (Roy Roger's horse) stable boy. He also enjoyed Radio Controlled airplanes, boats, and gliders, being a founding member of the Chain-O-Lakes Eagles and its first President. He taught his three children to SCUBA dive before they were 13, he truly enjoyed blowing bubbles. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing. He and Wallie farmed their tree farm in Southern Illinois finally RVing across the country and Canada with his wife of 57 1/2 years. His final passion in life was golf, scoring 3 holes in one or aces, his final ace on August 16, 2014 on Number 16 at Nippersink Golf Resort in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

Tom was preceded in death by his oldest child, his daughter Jamie Ann, his parents, his in-laws, Raymond and Viola Rochowicz and most conservative recently, his sister Patricia Evans.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Tom's name to the Troopers Lodge 41 Scholarship fund, the Retired Illinois State Police Officers Association Officer Down fund or the charity of your choice.

Tom was cremated in Florida and his ashes will be interred privately. An Irish Wake will be held at Mad Dan's Restaurant 200 E Main St., Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on July 19th, 2023 from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Please come share your memories and celebrate his life with us.