Obituary of FR. THOMAS OBRIEN

O'BRIEN,C.S.s.R., FR. THOMAS-the death of Redemptorist Father Thomas Stephen O'Brien occurred at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. He was in his 104th year. At the time of his death, after a long life of faith and service to the people of God, Father O'Brien was residing with the Redemptorist Community at St. Patrick's Church, Toronto. Born in Saint John on February 19, 1904, he was a son of the late John V. and Mary Ann (Bradley) O'Brien. Educated at St. Malachy's', St. Vincent's, and Saint John High School, graduating in 1923. After spending some time as a butcher at the Saint John City Market, he continued his studies at St. Mary's College, Brockville, Ont., and St. Alphonsus Seminary, Woodstock, Ont. He made his profession as a Redemptorist pm August 2, 1929 while in Novitiate at St. Peter's in Saint John , and was ordained on June 17, 1934 in Woodstock by Bishop John Thomas Kidd. A native son of St. John the Baptist Parish, in what he always referred to as Lower Cove, he celebrated his first Mass there. In various capacities throughout the years of his ministry Father O'Brien served in St. Joseph's Parish (Moose Jaw); as an RCAF Chaplain (Western B.S. and Alb.); Second Novitiate (Woodstock); St. Patrick's Parish (Quebec City); as Burser (Brockville); Holy Redeemer Parish (Sudbury); as Chaplain to the Congregation ans Archivist (Toronto); and at St. Peter's Parish/St. Bridget's Mission, the former during the sixties and the latter for the final years of his active ministry from 1972 through 1997. Father O'Brien was the chief catalyst for the growth which took place at his beloved St. Bridget's and he took great pride in the personal, professional, and above all spiritual accomplishments and milestones of his flock at "The Grove". A tremendous supporter of the arts in Saint John, Father Tom relished classical music and those special evenings at the Imperial Theatre as a patron of Symphony NB, the Saint John Symphony, and Opera New Brunswick. As the last surviving member of his immediate family, he was predeceased by brothers, John L., Joseph S., Dr. James B., Bradley S., and Francis G.; sisters, Irene A. Carney, M. Kathleen O'Brien, M. Evelyn Melliday, Mary A. Matthews, and Ellen T. Maxwell; nephews, John C. O'Brien (Clara)and and John C. Matthews; and great-nephew, Stephen M. Maxwell. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families along with his Redemptorist Confreres in the Edmonton - Toronto Province and beyond. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., with visiting on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter's Church on Monday morning at ten o'clock. Interment will follow immediately in the Calvary Redemptorist Community Cemetery on the grounds of St. Peter's. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bridget's Building Fund; St. Peter's Church; Romero House-Soup Kitchen; or the Symphony New Brunswick.