NAPLES, FL-Rev. Thomas F. O'Brien died Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in his home in Naples, FL.
Fr. O'Brien was born in Worcester, the son of Dr. Thomas F. and Esther Marie (Gilboy) O'Brien. He attended Saint John's High School and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1950, following service in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater. He studied philosophy and theology at Saint John Seminary, Brighton, and was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Paul Cathedral on February 2, 1956.
Father O'Brien was an Associate Pastor at Saint Joseph's Parish in Auburn, Saint Paul's Cathedral in Worcester, Our Lady Immaculate Parish in Athol, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Worcester and Saint Mary's Parish in Shrewsbury. He was Pastor, of Saint Columba's Parish in Paxton, Saint Pius X. Parish in Leicester and retired as Pastor of Saint Ann's Parish in North Oxford. He was a member of the first inter-faith study committee and the first Diocesan Ecumenical Council. He was the co-author of the first Ecumenism Directory and was a Professor of Ecumenical Theology at Anna Marie College in Paxton.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 11:00 AM in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street, Worcester. The Most Reverend Robert J. McManus will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be in Saint John's Cemetery. There are no visiting hours.