Thomas William O'Brien Sr.

1939 - 2025

Thomas William O'Brien, Sr.
Born: July 23, 1939
Died: November 22, 2025
Thomas William O'Brien, Sr., 86, of Huntley, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 22, 2025, with his family at his side. He was born July 23, 1939, in Chicago, the son of James John and Margaret Mary (Donahue) O'Brien. Tom married Maria-Luiza Folwarski on December 26, 1964, in Chicago. He taught school for the Chicago Public Schools from 1964-1969 and Franklin Park Public Schools at Hester Jr. High School, principal at East School and South School, and was a part-time Administration Assistant at South School office retiring in 1994. Tom was ordained a Permanent Deacon on May 2, 1998, at Saint Peter Cathedral in Rockford. He was a longtime member and a Deacon for 15 years at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley. Tom was also a 4th degree member of the Bishop Boylan Knights of Columbus Council #3880 in Crystal Lake. After Maria's death he found love again with Mary Ellen Timmerman and they married on August 18, 2012, in Cuba City, WI. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; his children Thomas W. (Linda) O'Brien, Jr. of Marquette, MI, and Margaret Mary of Chicago; brother, Rev. James J. O'Brien; sister Margaret M. King; nieces, Colleen and Katie King. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Maria on April 15, 2008. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 30th from 1-4 pm at James A. O'Connor Funeral Home, 11603 E Main St. in Huntley and will continue on Monday, December 1, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Rd. in Huntley from 9:00 am until the 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in the Crystal Lake Memorial Park in Crystal Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tom's name may be directed to the Missionary Society of St. Columban Fathers, 1902 N. Calhoun Street, St. Columbans, Nebraska, 68056 or to St. Mary Church in Huntley, For more Information please call: (847)669-5111 or visit www.jamesaoconnorfuneralhome.com