Thomas Ignatius O’Brien (known as Tom to friends and family) aged 91, passed away on May 12, 2017 at his home in New Canaan surrounded by his loving family. Tom and his wife Barbara have lived in New Canaan for more than 50 years. Tom was born December 24, 1925 in Troy, New York to the late Timothy and Katherine McCarthy O’Brien. He was the youngest of six children and was the last surviving sibling. Tom was an altar boy and newspaper delivery boy in his youth. He attended Catholic Central High School and was the editor and founder of the student newspaper, The Triune. Tom attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the Navy’s V-12 program in 1943-1946 and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Upon graduating, Tom moved to Washington, D.C, to clerk at the US Patent office and enrolled in night school at Georgetown University Law School to become a patent attorney. Upon graduation from law school, Tom joined a law firm in Irvington, NY, and subsequently moved to Union Carbide Corporation. Tom spent the rest of his career at Union Carbide and served as Chief Patent Counsel for more than twenty years. Tom was an avid sportsman who loved tennis, paddle tennis and golf. Upon retirement, Tom spent winters at Amelia Island playing golf, tennis and enjoying visits from his children and grand children. He was a true patriarch and loved his family and friends. He was a patient, compassionate and humble man with a quick wit. Tom was a member of Woodway Country Club for more than 40 years, and in recent years could usually be found enjoying lunch on Fridays with the Golden Boys. Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, and his three daughters: Kathleen McGoldrick of Garden City, NY; Stephanie Smith and her husband Jim of Milford, CT; and Alicia Eppler and her husband Ed of New Canaan, and 10 grandchildren: Joe McGoldrick of Santa Monica, CA, Tom McGoldrick of East Norwich, NY, Erin Merlone of Stamford, CT and Kate McGoldrick of NYC, Electra Kinney of Southport, CT, Pete Smith of Norwalk, CT and Kit Smith of Stamford, CT, Cassie Eppler of NYC, Bea Eppler and Preston Eppler of New Canaan. He was blessed with three great grandchildren: Henry and Charlie Kinney and Molly McGoldrick. A Memorial mass will take place on Tuesday, May 16th at 10 AM at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan. A reception will follow at Woodway Country Club, 430 Hoyt Street, Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom’s memory to the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.