Thomas Aaron O’Brien was a fun-loving man who knew how to bring a smile to his family’s lips.
He “could literally always make you laugh,” said his oldest sister, Mariah Serviss.
Mr. O’Brien, 24, who was training to be a trader at the Chicago Board of Trade, died Wednesday, Dec. 21.
He was born in Evanston and had three sisters and a brother. He grew up in Wilmette, and his family later moved to York, Pa., where he attended two years of high school.
He graduated from New Trier High School in 2000 and attended Front Range College in Ft. Collins, Colo., and Oakton Community College.
His sister Raurie said Mr. O’Brien liked to write poetry, travel and participate in outdoor activities. But his sense of humor endeared him to those who knew him.
“He is a little bit of an actor at heart,” she said, “doing impersonations and imitations.”
Though he had been working at the Board of Trade for a few months, he aspired to be an actor, his family said.
Mr. O’Brien was always willing to help his family look after his niece and nephew, Serviss said.
“We called him Capt. Tommy,” she said, “because he would always come over when I needed him to rescue me.”
Other survivors include his mother, Barbara Burke; another sister, Carleigh; and his grandmothers, Florence O’Brien and Ruth Burke.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday in Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Sts. Faith, Hope & Charity Catholic Church, 191 Linden St., Winnetka.
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alwang@tribune.com
