Thomas U. "Tom" O'Brien

Thomas U. O'Brien, 78, of Derrick City, returned home to be with God and his beloved wife, Margie, the morning of September 19, 2025.

Tom was born on November 1, 1946, to John E. "Jack" O'Brien and Martha Jean (Hanes) O'Brien. Tom graduated from Bradford Area High School before earning his Bachelor's Degree from Syracuse University.

After college, he served with the United States Air Force for two years before returning to his home, Margie.

Tom was a builder. He built a business that lasted over 40 years as a landscape architect, where he built beautiful spaces for many people. He built decks and breathtaking gardens and koi ponds. He built the best campfires and campsites. He built paths around any challenge he was faced with. He built a beautiful relationship with Margie for 50 years. But of all the things he ever built that he was most proud of, it was his family, and much like Tom himself, it was strong, and sturdy.

From a young boy until his final days, Tom's life was set against the backdrop of the outdoors and woods he loved so much. He was mostly a man of few words, but was an endless source of love and comfort and strength for those who knew him.

He is survived by his stepmother, Virginia (Quirk) O'Brien, who embraced the role of mother after Martha's passing, five children, Scott O'Brien (spouse Janelle), Todd O'Brien (spouse Gretchen), Bridget Horvath (spouse Chris), Heather Bailey (spouse George), Kelly O'Brien (spouse Mekayla), eight grandchildren, Ben, Hannah, Lauren, Brady, Sidney, Morgan, Samuel and Samantha, one sister, Mary Schenfield (spouse Ken) and two brothers, Mark O'Brien (spouse Sue) and William O'Brien (partner Toni Magnetti).

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dennis O'Brien.

There is no service planned at this time, however, a private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Bradford SPCA in the name of Sophie, Tom's beloved Golden Retriever.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com.

While we will never be able to adequately express the sorrow caused by Tom's passing and we will miss him deeply, we are comforted to know that Tom and Margie are together once again. Thank you for building this incredible family, Dad. Send us all the dragonflies.