Obituary of Thomas Joseph O'Brien

Thomas J. (Tom) O’Brien, 90, of Katonah, NY passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025 surrounded by his family.  Tom was born on July 8, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY, the only child of the late Thomas and Anna (Friel) O’Brien.  Raised in Greenpoint, Tom attended St. Alphonsus Elementary School and Bishop Loughlin High School.  He was a graduate of St. John’s University School of Commerce and earned an MBA from New York University.  He spent his entire career working for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., retiring as Corporate Ombudsman.

He married the love of his life, Barbara, in 1964 and was blessed to have just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.  Tom and Barbara enjoyed traveling together where they visited 50 countries and all 50 states.  Tom’s greatest joy in his life was his family and made family gatherings a priority, especially family vacations in Cape Cod.  Tom was a great master of social graces and the art of conversation.  He had a gift for engaging with anyone, creating an instantaneous bond and had an incredible knack for remembering birthdays of everyone he ever met. 

Tom was a man of faith and was very active in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Katonah, NY where he served as a lector and altar server.  He was a proud member of the Sisqua Council 1852 Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight.  He was recently named Knight of the Year due to his tireless devotion to serving others in the community. 

Tom is survived by his wife Barbara (Cass), and his loving family.  He is the devoted father of Joanne Bendernagel (Ed), Denise Altenburger (Peter), Karen Popken (Ian), Patricia Collins (Michael), and Tom Jr.  He is the devoted grandfather of Susan (Vince), Christine (Jordan), Eddie (Victoria), Catherine (Carl), John (Erica), Brian (Samantha), Courtney (Alex), Hannah, Jeffrey, Matthew (Julia), and James; and the Great Grandfather of soon to be 8 great grandchildren; Camille, Juliette, Eddie, Andrew, Matias, Nicholas, and Alexander.  

He was loved by all who met him especially for his smile and sense of humor, which he maintained even through his last days.  Our heartfelt thanks go out to the entire staff of The Village at Buckland Court, in South Windsor, CT for their care, support and kindness throughout Tom’s brief illness. 

Friends may call at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah NY, on Tuesday August 12 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s RC Church, 55 Valley Road, Katonah, NY on Wednesday August 13 at 10:00 AM. 

Interment will follow at St. Francis cemetery, 236 Lexington Ave, Mount Kisco, NY 10549.