THOMAS O’BRIEN OBITUARY

Thomas W. O’Brien, Jr. 1960 – 2023 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

Published by The Republican from Jan. 6 to Jan. 14, 2023.
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MEMORIES & CONDOLENCES
FOR THOMAS O’BRIEN

Sponsored by The Family .
17 Entries

I just found out TODAY that Mr. O’Brien passed away. He was absolutely wonderful when I worked with him at Commerce briefly in the 90’s. He’ll never be forgotten.

February 27, 2023

Dean Lisa Anne Mitch Jessi Lin
January 13, 2023

Dear Cindy, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom. I had the privilege of getting to know him through SPS in Zone One and HR. He was always so kind and helpful. We could always count on Tom to bring laughter to any situation. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Martha Cahillane
January 13, 2023

I am sad to read that Tom has passed. He was such a great person. I remember him tutoring me. He took great care of Rita and that was a huge help to my Mom. I remember him being so very nice and always smiling whenever I saw him. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Heather Fahey
January 13, 2023

Mike and Karen Niemczyk
January 13, 2023

Cindy, we are so sorry to hear about Tom”s passing. He was truly a sweetheart of a guy with a wonderful personality and beautiful smile! He will be sorely missed!
With love and heartfelt sympathy, Dee & Mark Bourassa

Deanna Bourassa
January 13, 2023

Cindy,
We had the privilege of working with Tom. He was a wonderful person and will be sadly missed. We will keep him and all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Debbie and John Beglane

Deborah Beglane
January 12, 2023

Dear Cindy,
We were so sorry and shocked to hear that Tom had passed away. He certainly was “one in a million” and will be sadly missed. We have so many memories of happy times to cherish. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Patty and your entire family.
Will love and sympathy,
Jean & Vinnie Bracci

Jean & Vinnie Bracci
January 10, 2023

Always so kind and caring . We worked together at Edward P Boland elementary school many years ago . I remember like if it was just yesterday . I taught the students how to say hello in 100 different languages around the world . He was very impressed. I can still see the look on his face when I presented him the project . Sending my condolences to his family and friends. So sad

Yadira Soto
January 10, 2023

Dear Cindy and Zguro family
Our most heartfelt sympathy to you and all you family. Love Tom and Gina Korney

Tom and Gina Korney
January 9, 2023

Our family is shocked and heartbroken. Tommy was a big part of the Lee kid’s childhood. We had so much at the beach and hanging out in Forest Park and family functions. There will always be a spot in my heart For Tommy, Mr. O’brien or Obe. Love the Lee Family

January 9, 2023

Cindy and all the Zguro families- we are so very sorry to hear of the sudden loss of Tom. We have many fond memories of him from Hampton beach and numerous functions in the Springfield area. Please accept our sincere condolences.