WEBSTER – Thomas R. O’Brien, 88, of Elm St., died Monday, February 14, in Harrington Memorial Hospital, Southbridge.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, June M. (White) O’Brien; a daughter, Deborah A. Champagne and her husband Hector J. Champagne; 6 grandchildren, twins Michael J. Shelburne and his wife Rachael A. Shelburne and Nicholas R. Shelburne and his fiancé Aleshia Lebeau, John H. Wetherbee, Jr., Shawn P. Wetherbee, Johnny A. Lugo, Jr. and Stephanie A. Lugo; 2 great granddaughters, Olivia and Emma; 2 sisters, Mary O’Brien and Norma McCarty, all of Webster; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Helen O’Brien and Shirley Masley.
He was born in Webster, the only son of Thomas F. and Margaret T. (Morris) O’Brien, and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1941.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a corporal. He saw action in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Eastern Theater Medal with 4 bronze stars.
Mr. O’Brien was an upholsterer and then a supervisor at Ethan Allen Company in Dudley for many years before he retired in 1987.
He was a member of Saint Louis Church. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and league bowling. He loved spending time with his family.
The funeral will be held Thursday, February 17, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Dudley. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will provide the military honors at the cemetery. A calling hour will be from 8:15 to 9:15 AM Thursday in the funeral home. Flowers may be sent or donations made to Saint Louis School Endowment Fund, 15 Lake Street, Webster, MA 01570.