SPRINGFIELD – Thomas W. O’Brien, Jr., 62, known to many as "Obie" or "Tom", of the Forest Park section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving wife and family. He was born in Springfield on March 21, 1960, the beloved son of the late Thomas W. O’Brien who was Called Home on February 22, 1992 and Ramona Eunice (Hopkins) O’Brien who was Called Home on September 10, 2022. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from Classical High School in Springfield and had lived in Springfield his entire life. He furthered his education and received a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Languages from Saint Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont and a Master's Degree in Administration from American International College in Springfield. He also attended the University of Grenoble in France and Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee. He was employed with the Springfield Public Schools and began his career as a French and Spanish Teacher and later was the Assistant Principal at the High School of Commerce. He later became the Principal at the Edward P. Boland Elementary School in Springfield and retired in 2018 as the Senior Administrator of Human Resources for the Springfield School Department. He was a communicant of Holy Name Church and a member of the Springfield Lodge of Elks 61, the Marconi Club and the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, all in Springfield. During his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening, golfing, entertaining family and friends at home and traveling to his home in Vero Beach, Florida with his beloved wife, Cindy. Everyone will truly miss his mean vodka martinis. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, colleagues and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Cynthia A. “Cindy” (Zguro) O’Brien. They were married on July 8, 1995 at the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 27 years of happiness together. He also leaves his caring sister, Patricia M. LaCapra of East Longmeadow; his dear step sister, Cynthia Conlon and her husband, Jeffrey, of Ocean, NJ; his three dear brothers in law, Chris R. Zguro and his wife, Gail, of East Longmeadow, Paul J. Zguro and his wife, Julieanne, of Springfield and Jim E. Zguro and his wife, Tammy, of Somers, CT; his eight cherished nephews and nieces, Christina Vargas and her husband, Christopher, Nick Zguro, Joe Zguro and his wife, Jess, Angela Zguro, Michael Zguro and his wife, Trisha, Jennifer Neseralla and her husband, Adam, Heather Ferreira and her husband, Raul, and Sarah George and her husband, Douglas; his 11 cherished grandnephews and grandnieces, Ava, CJ, Atticus Ben, Drew, Giuliana, Anthony, Madison, Giovanni, Logan, Lucas and Alex; and his many dear cousins, colleagues, numerous friends and extended members of the O'Brien and Zguro families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved step mother, Rita (Stump) O'Brien; his loving father in law and mother in law, Christy R. "Chris" Zguro who was Called Home on January 4, 2018 and his wife, Beth G. (Lyon) Zguro who was Called Home on January 19, 2006; and his cherished nephew, Philip Rossmeisl. He was also predeceased by his beloved canine companion, his Shiba Inu "Zima". His Family and Friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.). His Burial will follow the Prayer Service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, January 13, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Edward P. Boland Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation, 333 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9599. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com