To Paul and family my deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother Edward I remember you guys when we were young.

Deepest condolences on this loss...my heart goes out to his family and friends.  I saw Ed often when I went to the Oak Park library, and I am so very saddened to hear of this news.  He was always so helpful and friendly, as he was the "go to guy" for all book and library-related questions.  He went out of his way  (above & beyond) to assist our group each month in setting up when we hosted our monthly meetings at the library.  He is someone I didn't even realize how much I counted on seeing, that I'm surprised how sad this news is to me.  His memory will live on. Peace!

Ed was a part of our condo community in River Forest. He cared for my two budgies at times when I went out of town. My birds were not finger trained and they did not land on people, not even me. But when Ed walked in the first time, they both immediately flew onto his shoulder. I thought, it must be the plaid shirt! So I wore a plaid shirt here and there and then a polka dot shirt - nothing. So I am in awe of animal instincts. How do they know? I will miss Ed's humor and easy smile and gentle presence. Rest, dear man. Take flight with the angels. Fondly, Joyce

I met Ed about two and a half years ago through the birding group and then I encountered him often at the library. As a relative newcomer to the area, I was always happy to see a familiar (and friendly) face. Ed was generous with his knowledge (on any subject), his experience and his humor. I will miss him! I think he would remind us now that our purpose in life is to spend time with those we care about and to share the things we enjoy with others.
Condolences to all - particularly to family and those friends who knew him best.

I met Ed a few years ago when I started going on the Oak Park bird migration walks. We became friends this year, as there were five other days of the week to see more birds! Ed was always ready with a quick quip, a memory about the "old days," or a fun fact about a bird or just about anything. Our car rides and walks in search of birds were filled with laughter. He had commented that he had not done this much birding in years, and he felt re-invigorated to get out there. Although the news of his death was shocking and devastating, I'm so happy to have been able to get to know him, and to have shared birds, talk, and a walk on his last day of life. I will miss him! My sincere condolences to the family.

Paul and family - my deepest sympathies on the loss of your brother. Sending healing thoughts and prayers to comfort you during this difficult time.

So sorry to hear about Ed’s passing. My heart goes out to his friends and family. He will be missed.
~Denise Turner Kuhr

We’ve lived in the Chatterton, the condo building we shared with Ed O’Brien, for over 20 years. I got to know Ed early in our residency when we discovered we both were birders. Large old elm trees stand in front of the building. In Spring and Fall the trees are way stations for migrating birds. Early on, I’d call Ed or he’d call me with news of warbler sightings in our elms. And I discovered that Ed was a remarkably funny man. 

In 2013, Henry Griffin, then 13, started bird walks near his home in north Oak Park, at Thatcher Woods, Columbus Park and Miller Meadow. Ed was often unable to join those walks because of his work schedule. Eventually he got to go on a few of them. Ed appreciated Henry’s exceptional talent for birding is exceptional. 

When Henry went off to college, he asked me to take over administering the birding group. I needed capable leaders. Ed and our friend Lisa Spellman were obvious choices. When I recruited them, they graciously agreed to be our eyes and ears. In fact, early in Ed’s tenure as one of our leaders, he expressed to me how glad he was that our walks would get him exercise that he was not otherwise getting. He recently joined with a subgroup of our birding cabal and went on frequent expeditions all over the area with them, increasing his activity in ways that really energized him. 

Ed was a great spotter and had a prodigious memory for bird markings and calls. The real fun in walking with Ed was his running commentary, which, was always anywhere from droll to hilarious. His humor was often self-deprecating, but the social observations he wove into his ongoing narrative were often laugh-out-loud funny. Nothing was off-limits in his comic sense, including the LGBTQ community of which he was a part.

I’m going to have to find someone to handle the Wednesday morning walks that a returned Henry can’t do. Maybe a call to Second City to find someone who does birding skits would restore Ed’s humor to our walks. I’ll get right on it.

Ed was one of the first birders I met in Oak Park. His delight and enthusiasm for every bird we saw was infectious. I was doubly happy to learn he worked at my library and would stop by to see him every time I visited. I will miss his joyful soul.

My husband and I had only just met Ed this spring as new members to the migrating bird walks. Ed's enthusiasm and easy-going nature were obvious. He eagerly shared so much knowledge with us. I know he will be missed with many. Our condolences to the family.

Ed was one of the sweetest people that I worked with at the library. He was always supportive, quick with a joke, and interested in what I was doing with my writing career and strangely colorful life. We joked several times that our conversations on the desk could have easily been a podcast. I wish now we had recorded at least one. What a wonderfully memorable, fantastic man.

As one of the many who went on bird walks with Ed, he will be remembered! He shared his knowledge with a heavy side of self-deprecation, which made a newbie like myself feel comfortable and welcomed into the group.

This is so sad! I only met Ed three times this spring as I just started with the Oak Park Birding Migration Group. He so willingly shared his excitement and knowledge and I looked forward to learning so much from him. 

We joked about him getting the birds we wanted to see to show up for the watches so we could see them. My last conversation with him was about how he wanted to sell his condo and plan a big trip to go see many of the birds he hadn’t. 🙁 My condolences.

OBITUARY

Edward M. O'Brien

13 January, 1963 – 12 June, 2025

Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services