Thomas E. O’Brien
Loving husband, father, brother grandfather and great grandfather.
Thomas E. O’Brien, age 84, a resident of Tewksbury for over 62 years and faithful member of the St. Robert Bellarmine Parish community in West Andover, passed away at Lowell General Hospital-Saints Campus with his family by his side on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
He was the beloved husband of Mary Jo (Saunders) O’Brien with whom he would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on July 28, 2025.
Born in Salem on May 3, 1940, he was the son of the late Timothy E. O’Brien and the late Alice (Connelly) O’Brien.
Tom was raised in Salem, attended Salem schools as well as St. John’s Preparatory High School in Danvers, and graduated from Salem High School in 1957.
Following high school, he attended Bentley College where he majored in Business Administration.
A proud manager of AT&T telephone company for over 30 years, Tom also served as a member of the Army National Guard and was awarded soldier of the year.
He was an active communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Church in West Andover, where he was a member and past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council # 10877.
Above all else, he cherished his family and loved ones. A man proud of his role within his family, his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his greatest joy. His legacy as the patriarch of the family will be a beacon for years to come.
Tom loved golfing and was a member of Andover Country Club where he enjoyed numerous rounds of golf with his family and friends.
In addition to his wife, he leaves four children, Kathleen Ferreira and her husband Ed, of Dracut, Thomas E. O’Brien, Jr. and his wife Beatrice (Cutone), of Wilmington, MaryJane O’Brien, of Tewksbury, and Kevin M. O’Brien and his wife Heather (Reardon), of Nahant. Tom was the brother of Timothy O’Brien and his wife Mary, of Wayland, and the late Mary Lou Birchmore. He will also leave his grandchildren, Stephen Ferreira and his wife Cherilyn, Lindsay Flaherty and her husband Chris, Lauren O’Brien, Brendan O’Brien, Danielle DelSonno and her husband Mario, Carolyn Barbato and her husband Dave, Jillian Phaneuf, Sean Phaneuf, Micheal O’Brien and Meghan O’Brien. He was the proud great grandfather to Mason Barbato, Luna Barbato, Liam Ferreira and Tiana DelSonno. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Calling hours are Thursday, February 20th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Friday, February 21st at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover. Services will conclude with interment at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at www.wish.org or by mail to Make-A-Wish America 1702 E. Highland Ave., Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85016.”