Thinking of you Dad as we welcome your newest grandchild, Morgan Grace. I know you are looking down on her and smiling.

This month brings memories of our precious last days with Terry. He suffered with such dignity, without ever a complaint and always, always with a smile for me and for those he loved.   Taking care of Terry brought the best out of me and of those of who were there through the end.  Bonnie was my back up and her strength, her love, and her support for Terry was unparalleled during those hard last months.  We realized that life is precious and not to be taken for granted and of course to be strong and have a sense of humor through whatever may come in our path. 
 
I will celebrate his life on Tuesday at Arlington Memorial with some Beethoven, some Leone Redbone, and his girl Joplin and play them for the man who loved them all and cried when their music moved him.  And of course with a shot of Jamison. 
 
Thank you Terry for enriching all of our lives with your passion for great music, good food, martinis, and of course-- crazy jokes.
A gentle man, forever in our heart....truer words were never spoken.

Remembering good times Terry. 7 months today and you are not far from my thoughts on any of days that have passed.

The permanent marker arrived and it totally honors Terry with both words and music. A special place for a very special man - the only thing missing is piped in music 24/7.  
I played Leone Redbone for Terry last month, Beethoven today of course- 6 months since he left us.

Thinking of Terry today-5 months ago your misery ended.  i don't know of anyone who would have suffered with such grace and dignity.  Those last months that were so difficult for you.  We tried to keep you comfortable and happy until the end.  Too young, too smart, too happy  with life to be gone.  In my heart every minute of every day. m

January 16 - we wish you were here....

I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with you but instead you spent the rest of your life with me...I wouldn't trade a day..
Love, m

January 16, 2015 - Celebrating Terry and his favorite ladies during his birthday month. 
We still cannot believe you are gone...

December 13th - 2 months since Terry left our world.  I thought I had lost the only copy of this photo once it was sent with Terry to be with him forever.  It was next to his side of the bed and he always said it was his favorite.  So many special memories we captured with the lens - here in Hilton Head when his favorite people were able to be with us. Uncle Sal and Sylvia, Mom and Dad, Gene, Bonnie, Max, Anna and John.  Charlie too of course.  So many good times -  but wait a miinute, I think we did have a trip to the emergency room ... we won't talk about, right Terry? What happens in Hilton Head, stays in Hilton Head.  Missing, missing, missing ....

Terry and Paige Alcott - Wonderful memories of our trips to the UK. Never short of laughs for sure.  We miss you every day Terry.

One month today....

With love eternal, your wife and partner. M

Terry....Remembering all the good times we had when you, Sandy, Joe and I went out.  We never stopped laughing whenever we were together.  You helped in making those times so very special.  Our love to your daughters, Melissa and Andrea, their husbands, your grandchildren and Sandy.
Linda Patarino and Family

Dear Terry,  So many fond memories of years gone by.  I will always remember your great smile and good sense of humor.  It was a pleasure to have known you.  May you rest in peace. Know that you will be missed.  Jeannie Gutierrez

So saddened today to learn of Terry's passing. He was a great friend and mentor to me when I started as a revenue officer in Brooklyn. Classy guy with a terrific, wicked sense of Irish humor. He was a pleasure to work with and to hang out with and will be missed by all. He is in my prayers today.

I only just learned of Terry's passing and am shocked and saddened by his loss.  I worked in New York with him many years ago.  Although our paths diverged, I remember his professionalism and many contributions to IRS and his friends well.  He will be missed.

Terry was a wonderful friend and colleague.  We worked in New York City  together and shared our passion for music.  Wishing peace and God grace as you deal with loss.

When I started with IRS in 1975 I was told not to say anything to anyone in a higher pay grade except "hello".  There I was sitting on the phones in Taxpayer Service looking for a light for my cigarette when this really nice guy with a winning smile comes over and flicks his Bic.   From that moment I was the President of the T. O'Brien Fan Club. When I got furloughed he arranged for me to be picked up in Manhattan without me losing a day's pay.   He brought me into management when we started ACS in Manhattan.   He got me my grade 12 in the ETE group.  He had such a great way of dealing with people.   A total class act.   I am so saddened to hear that the world will no longer see your smile.  Say hello to Gracie for me,  Terry.

Terry, thank you for always making me laugh!  You had a warm heart and a kind demeanor, all the time.  I love you.  Thank you for brightening my day every time I saw you.  I will always treasure the weekend you and Mary Ann spent in Greenville - our visit to the Symphony, dinner at Brick Street Cafe, and going to see Romeo & Juliet.  I miss you, Terry, and I am honored to have known you.  Love, Allison Farr

Terry was a wonderful, gentle, caring man.  It was my honor to be friends with him and Mary Ann.  They were a true love match, perfect for each other in every way.  I am so glad they found each other.  Mary Ann was an exceptional caregiver to Terry as illness claimed him.  She and her family were there for him always.  And he always smiled even in the worst of times - such dignity!  He will be missed by many of us whose lives he brightened.

For Terry

It was a cool Saturday evening
full of stars and southern sheets of mist.
I, 25, stood in heels as I stumbled in.
With a smile I was steady,
adrift in a room of people full of laughter.
Never had I seen such mirth!
Such pleasure in the moment,
riches in the form of food
and music to free the spirit.
And at the heart of it was a manâ€”
a man that planted a kiss on my mom,
with a grin stretched ear-to-ear,
a mischievous twinkle in his eyes,
and risotto on the stove.

I knew a man
who loved as grandly as he lived and dreamedâ€”
who saw greatness in both the Maestro's refrain
and a tall, plain, brown-eyed girl.
a man who traveled the world
and risked all 
for the woman he loved and the life that they made.

Knew a man? Surely not;
I know a man, who lives in my heartâ€”
in my fondness for champagne,
in my favorite french cheese,
and in my many paintings.
A man that designed my heart
with his lessons in living a vivid life;
who worked his way into my art,
and inspired me to sing again.

I know a man that broke the mold,
who left me puddled in laughter
with brilliant wit,
and introduced me to Mr. Mendelssohn.
A man who would have bailed me out of jail
just so we could keep company 
over music and Chianti.

I'll know this man for the rest of my life
and into that of my children,
and children's children,
through tales both tall and deep.
He is as much a permanent fixture in my world,
as the stars above my head
on a cool, Southern Saturday evening.
His story lives in my humor,
in my pasta,
in my poetry
and in my paintbrushes.

I know a man
who knew the me
that I didn't yet believe in.
A man who lived with passionâ€”
and when he left,
entrusted it to us.

Terry was a member of our family for 19 years. We loved and respected him.
We want his daughters Melissa and Andrea and their mother, Sandra, his sister Maureen and brother Tim to know we never released Terry from our circle of caring.
Dick and Marie Martinez and his entire New York family

Mary Ann,
I am so very sorry to hear about the death of Terry.  My prayers are with you and your family.  
Diane Duquette

To Terry, a real light in my life and my Allison's as well!-a Top of the Heap kind of guy, and among the funniest human beings I've loved knowing. We miss you and love you. Nancy Farr

Happy times with the best man in the room.

Dear Terry We are with you today in spirit and love Never to be forgotten Rest in peace .   Love Sandra,daughters Melissa&Andrea son-in-laws Scott& Michael & grandchildren Nina,Ella & Luke.

Dear Mary Ann:  Our heartfelt condolences go out to you at such a difficult time.  Knowing Terry for the past 25 years has been a true blessing.  We will always remember his joyous smile, our wonderful shared meals, trips to England and "interesting" jokes and discussions about Shakespeare and Beethoven.  Take comfort in your loving, tenacious care that Terry was blessed with during the difficult times.  We will always treasure his friendship.  With much love Paige and Dave.

I met Terry at his daughter Melissa's wedding to my son Scott. When I visited Melissa and Scott, in New Jersey, he often was also visiting, . He was a very pleasant, kind person, who always had a smile. We will miss him.  Gone too soon.  May you Rest in Peace, Terry.

-Betsy Squaires, Buffalo,NY

Max, I am very sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. My own grandfather was one of the most important  people in my life. I still miss him. I will be thinking of you and your family this weekend.
Love, Mrs. Sikes, (Mount Bethel Elementary)

MaryAnn,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences regarding Terry's passing. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you. 
Regards,
Nicole Benoit, RN BS
LTCP

Terry,
You will definitely be missed. You were the best Director the Atlanta IRS Processing Center had. A very down to earth and approachable humorous person.  I'm sorry for your loss Mary Ann.  I met you at his retirement from the IRS in Chamblee.  I'm glad he had you, he was very happy...My thoughts and prayers.

Dear Terry,   I will miss you and love you forever.  Please say hello to Mom and Dad for me.  

Love your sister Maureen

I will never forget Terry's humor, his intelligence and the way the most beautiful smile lit up his face when he saw me.  We shared so many fun times and I will miss him so.

Dear Terry,
We will never forget the great times, traveling to Italy, listening to classical music, enjoying good food and wine with family and friends, watching movies, and of course your joke telling.  You will be missed.

Dear Terry, your gentle, funny, and loving presence in our lives is missed greatly.  We are thankful for the varied passions you easily shared with us; especially the loving passion your marriage to Mimi let us know existed.  Invaluable.  Forever thankful for having you in our lives.  It was a pleasure and honor to care for you and witness my mother caring for you --with your humor, and never a complaint, never.   Peaceful, joyful wishes with your loved ones and the great maestro as you live eternally in spirit now.

Terry,
You were one of a kind. So loving and caring. Loved your laughter and the jokes that made everyone enjoy that with you. So many sweet times with you and Mary Ann. You and Mary Ann are the best of entertainers and that will be missed.Loved the cooking and music you always provided. Know that you have so many loved ones that will miss you and so many friends and loved ones that will be here for Mary Ann and your family. Loving thoughts to you Mary Ann and your family...love you,

Spending time with MaryAnn and Terry was like being with family.  I am sure that everyone who entered their home and life feels this same way.  Terry was a kind, sweet man who seemed to really enjoy all that life offered.  I know that he will be missed by so many.  Hoping for healing and comfort for MaryAnn and all their family.

Dear Terry,
Tommy passed away Oct. 4th.  Now the two of you are together in Heaven talking sports, the Army and the neighborhood.
All my best,
Louise, Brooklyn, NY

Dear Terry, Thank you for being the  easiest person to travel the world with. So happy for the times we had.

Terry enjoyed Larry so much it was wonderful to see him and Tammy Jo on Saturday when they brightened his day.

Terry -  Watching you do your NY Times crossword will be  missed  especially on Sundays. You gave all of us a taste and love of a world beyond the mundane.  I will treasure the years we had forever. Love, MaryAnn

Dear Terry , Rest in peace  You will always be in my heart. sandra

Dearest Terry, you gave it all and we are enriched by your giving spirit and  passion for music, travel and fabulous food. You gave of yourself and for that we are grateful. Know you are in our hearts and soul. Peace to you....

My kind, gentle husband is gone and will never be forgotten. It was my honor and pleasure to take care of him. Chopin was playing at his bedside during the last few weeks and espcially through the night on Sunday as he left this world. You were loved Terry. Your devoted wife, Mary Ann.

OBITUARY

Terence James O' Brien

January 16, 1944 – October 13, 2014

H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel

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