Patrick O'Brien

He was born on February 24, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to his parents, Mary Kennedy and Martin O’Brien. After growing up on the south side of Chicago with his late sister, Mary Agnes O’Brien, Pat went on to make a significant impact on the lives of many.

Pat attended St. Leo High School, where he graduated in 1955, and continued his education at Loyola University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959. His commitment to education and personal growth led him to receive a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Management from DePaul University in 1974, further shaping his lifelong passion for social services.

Pat devoted his career to uplifting others, beginning his journey in social services shortly after graduating. For 25 years, he served as the director of SouthStar Services, an agency dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities. His unwavering belief in the importance of inclusivity and community integration for people with disabilities was a hallmark of his professional life.

Pat is survived by his daughters, Clare O’Brien and her husband, Stephen Cady, and Kristen Gonsur and her husband, Steven. He is also survived by his former spouse, Katherine O’Brien, with whom he maintained a close friendship throughout the years. Pat was a proud grandpa to Elizabeth, Jack, Meghan, Brynn, Kellan, and Shae, who will all remember him for his love, sarcastic wit and penchant for chocolate chip cookies.

In addition to his dedication to family and his work, Pat had a deep love for dogs, having shared his life with cherished pets including Cindy, Kelly, McGee, and Archie. He found joy in gardening, neighborhood walks, and watching classic films, with a particular fondness for Turner Classic Movies and "Seinfeld." He also was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and White Sox. He served on the Oak Lawn Senior Council and volunteered at Christ Hospital on its cardiac care unit for many years.

Pat was always proud of his Irish heritage. His father was born in the small seaside town of Kilkee in County Clare Ireland. After visiting Ireland, Pat never quite understood why anybody would want to travel abroad to anywhere else but the Emerald Isle.

Pat will be profoundly missed by his family and friends, whose lives he touched with kindness and laughter. As we celebrate his life, we remember a wonderful man whose spirit will live on in the hearts of those he loved. A local newspaper once quoted him as saying, “When your life is over, it’s important to be able to say you helped people as much as you could.”

A memorial service will be held on December 22, 2024 at Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home (10727 S. Pulaski Rd, Chicago) from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sertoma Star Services or another organization of your choice supporting people with disabilities, in honor of Pat’s lifelong commitment to this cause.