December 21, 1945 ~ September 9, 2024
At the age of 78, Thomas J. O’Brien, Jr. passed away on September 9, 2024, with loved ones by his side. Tom was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on December 21, 1945. He was a resident of Somerville, Medford, Reading and, most recently, Georgetown, Massachusetts.
Tom attended school in Somerville and graduated from Somerville High School in 1963 where he played basketball and ran track. In 1968 he graduated from Salem State University where he played on the basketball team and helped to lead the team to win the Governor’s Cup. Several years later his athletic skills were rewarded when he was inducted into the Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame at Salem State University. He later received a Master’s Degree from Suffolk University. Tom was a Business teacher in Somerville for 35 years; he taught at Western Junior High and coached ninth grade basketball for 7 years. He then moved to Somerville High School where he taught for 28 years until his retirement. During his teaching career and even after his retirement, Tom served a total of 20 years as a Board member of the Somerville School Employees Federation Credit Union. Later, when Tom and his partner Jane moved to Georgetown, his desire to contribute to his community compelled him to serve as a member of the Parker River Landing Board of Trustees for 12 years. Because of Tom’s love of family and friends, he frequently hosted holiday get togethers, football parties, and his renowned Kentucky Derby gathering.
Tom is survived by the love of his life for 31 years, Jane Murray, and her son Matthew Ferry; his grandsons, Thomas J. O’Brien, IV and Alex M. O’Brien; his daughters in- laws Caroline O’Brien and Lori Violette, his sisters, Jean Boldt, Rita DiSarcina and her husband Geno, Joan O’Brien, as well as his brothers John O’Brien and Edward O’Brien and his wife Patricia.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Chief Thomas J. and Jeanie (Kelso) O’Brien, his sons, Thomas III and Scott O’Brien, his sisters, Edna and her husband Bruce MacDonald, and his brother-in-law, Jim Boldt.
Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to honor Tom’s life on Sunday afternoon, September 15th at the Conte – Giamberandino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown. Visiting hours are from 12 to 1pm, followed by his Service at 1pm.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash Street, E. Hartford, CT 06108. For funeral home directions, florists or to share memories of Tom with his family, please visit www.cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com
