Thomas P. O’Brien Passes Away At Health First Hospice After Brave Fight With Cancer
By Space Coast Daily // April 9, 2016
Hospice at Cape Canaveral Hospital
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Thomas P. O’Brien, 81, of Cape Canaveral, Florida, devoted son, brother, uncle, great uncle and great-great uncle, passed peacefully at the Hospice at Health First/ Cape Canaveral Hospital with close family by his side after his brave fight with cancer.
Son of the late Cornelius and Kathryn (Croke) O’Brien, Mr. O’Brien graduated from Chicopee High School (Massachusetts) and then honorably served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany and elsewhere on the continent. His love to travel was cultured by these early days in the service.
Mr. O’Brien subsequently attended and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University. He found life-long success and satisfaction in his careers in the insurance and hospitality industries. He was particularly fond of his role later in life as a research librarian for the Broward County Library System.
Mr. O’Brien was a very kind, learned soul and a soft-spoken gentleman that centered his life around family and friends, both in Chicopee and Western Massachusetts, and later in his life, in both Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral, Florida, where he ultimately retired to enjoy the beach and the warm, pleasant weather.
He is survived by his brother Richard of Northampton, Massachusetts, his sister Anne Ahern of Toledo, Ohio, his brother-in-law Jack, his first cousin Edmund Dowd, and countless nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews that collectively love and miss him dearly.
The entire Clan O’Brien is grateful beyond words for the wonderful, loving and compassionate care for Thomas provided by the Hospice at Health First angels.
Besides his parents, Mr. O’Brien was also predeceased by his brothers Cornelius, James, Joseph and William. Private services for family and close friends are being arranged by Corridan Funeral Home, located at 333 Springfield Street, Chicopee MA.
Friends of Mr. O’Brien and the family are invited to join a celebration of his life at the Collegian Court Restaurant, located at 89 Park Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 at 12 noon on Saturday, April 16.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Please note that your gift is in memory of Thomas P. O’Brien.
Donations should be made out to UMMF- Nath-Bone Marrow Transplant Program and mailed to UMass Medicine Development Office, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
