John O'Brien Obituary

Dear Pat, Sheryl, Nancy & Tim,

Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.

It was quite a shock to learn of John's passing. It was a pleasure to know John and his family. John was such a wonderful, kind, generous, humorous and caring man. I enjoyed having discussions on politics, sports and listening to his stories about Chicago and his childhood. I was blessed to have spent time with him and his family. He instilled loving values in his children and has left a wonderful legacy.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.



Sincerely,



Michael Dooley

Dearest Pat,

What an incalcuable loss, for you, your family, and all of us who have been touched by John's humor, strength, honesty and wonderful humaneness: as a classmate at Bowen High School, (Chicago),and later, as a professional journalist of the highest caliber, whose work The Tribune so wisely espoused. We all are better for having known him. While I know that there is nothing that anyone can say that could ease your pain,yet may it be of some small comfort to know that there are so many who would seek to do so, if we only could. Instead, we prayerfully send you into the loving hands of our wonderful Father, as the true physican for your heart's great wound. Lovingly,

Dearest Pat and Family,

I was so shocked to find out about John's death today. Words cannot adequately express my heart's feelings for you all, and yet may it be of some small help to know that there are so many who would seek to ease your pain if we only could.

Somehow, the world is alittle less bright today. I knew John in high school (Bowen High, Chicago), and recall his good, strong voice as "MacBeth", in Mrs. Mitchell's English class. Everyone liked John, and from the entries that preceded this one, that obviously continued to be true. I read his co-authored book:"Chicago Heist", and was so proud of his investigative journalism. A man of principle, straight as an arrow, someone you were proud to share this Earth, and this life with. We have all been blest to know John (our class reunions were always complete when you and John arrived, Pat). Now, in his death, we are all somehow lessened. Dear heart, may you feel our loving Father's arms around you and his hands holding you up until we can all be together again in that "great gettin up morning"....where there is no night. Prayers for you, especially now.

Dear Pat, I was so sorry to hear of John's passing. I had lost contact with him until Bowen's Class of 1956 40th reunion and was so happy to revive old memories. He will be remembered by the people he touched in his life. He will be missed. My prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Pat, Sheryl, Nancy and Tim, I have just received word of John's passing and am writing to express my condolences to you. I am sorry I could not say this in person. Much love to you all. sharon

We were saddened to hear of the passing of our Cousin, John, who was especially close to the late Joseph Burton, our Uncle.

We are proud of the great work John has done, but in a life which was much too short.

Fondly,

Virginia Roynon,

Lois Roynon,

Louise Roynon Leo and her husband, Terry Leo,

Laura Roynon Balon and her husband, Denis Balon

Patty, my sincere sympathy and prayers for John and for you.

Courage and hope. SMJ

Dear Pat,

The first time I heard Johns' distinctive voice was over forty years ago when I answered the phone in the emergency room. The rest is history.

I remember the dance when you met.

I remember your wonderful wedding.

Mike and I extend to you and your family our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you.

Dear Pat and Family:

John was not only a first rate reporter, but as I found out on the then city desk, a persuasive and never to be underestimated salesman. One of the joys in my job was seeing John headed my way, some notes in hand and a big smile and look of determination on his face. Whether the story he had was big or little (well, they were ALL big as far as John was concerned), he "doped" it to the hilt. Worthy of page one, he would insist. Really an important new development that could lead to a the arrest and conviction of a biggie in the crime syndicate. Sometimes he made his case, sometimes he didn't. But the joy of telling what he had come up with, his enthusiasm, the shameless effort to maybe enhance the details just a little bit--aw, c'mon, John, I would say, just the facts, please--was all part of the little game we played again and again over the years.

The day he retired, I told John that I always held him up to young reporters as a veteran who worked as hard and had as much fun as when he first entered the business. Look to John O'Brien, I would say. He's the best you'll find as a professional and as a wonderful human being.

All of us who knew and worked with John a long time are sorry for your loss Pat, and for ours.

My deepest thoughts are with John's family as we all have endured a great loss. It was many years of friendship that I enjoyed knowing and learning from John. During my days at the Sun-Times and Lerner Newspapers John was helpful and supportive. I regret missing the service, but I was doing what he would have enjoyed. I was in a meeting with the Department of Labor asking questions and demanding straight answers. Often times I asked the same question three times. One can never forget his training.

dear Pat, Sheryl, Nancy and Tim

I am so sorry to hear of John's untimely passing. My memories are also of a wonderful, intelligent, and very compassionate person. Fun times when we lived in Tinley Park, and back at old Bowen High.

My sympathies are with all of you. John will be missed.

Sincerely, liz

Dear Pat,



Our deepest condolences. Wish I could have thanked him again as I did when he signed his books for me. Also for the great memories and great times we had at St Victors. It was a honor to have known him and call him a friend.



Jim & Sandy Pluta

Chesterton, In.

Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of John. I remember him from St. Victor’s as a kind and gentle man. I recall his kindness when my father passed away 10 years ago and he told my mother that if she needed anything, to let him know. His offer was truly gracious and heartfelt. I know he will be missed.

My heartfelt condolences go out to all of John's family. He was Superman Newspaperman in the newsroom. When all heck broke in the newsroom the editors always looked and trusted John. When you talk about "its who you know" , John was the king of the hill. He will surely be missed. Toma

Pat and family - We were sorry to read about your loss. You are in our prayers.

A wonderful man.

An excellant writer. I respected him for his work.

A great loss to all who knew him..for we are richer for his having passed our way...

See you in heaven John...

My deepest condolences to all in the Family



John J Flood

Cook County Police Department

Dear Pat and Family,

We are sorry we can not express our condolence in person. Our prayers are with you. May God comfort you in your loss.



Bob & Kathy Schneider

Dear Pat:

Our sincere condolences to you and the rest of your family.

It was obvious to me during the many years John and I worked together that his wife and children were a BIG part of John's life.

I'm sure that closeness will help see you guys through the grief and sadness you feel now.

If you were going to create an investigative reporter from scratch,

John would be the obvious template to work with.

He will be missed by a host of friends, associates, and many of those who found themselves on the receiving end of his questions.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bill and Sharon Garrett

Dear Pat, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bill and I always enjoyed being with you. God bless all whom he loved.

Dear Sheryl and Family,



Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Love, Kim, Tom, Katie and Lauren Dooley

We were so sorry to hear about John. We had so many good times at St. Victor with him. Carol with him in Victorities was one of them. He was great with Mike McCauliffe. John and I had many political talks when we would meet. He was a great guy, with a great sense of humor. We'll miss him. Our prayers are with you Pat in this difficult time.



Carol and Joe Skelton

To John O'Brien's Family and Countless Friends,

John, You define several venerable words: GENTLEMAN, in the truest and best sense, always and everywhere; NEWSPAPERMAN: You stand for everything that is good and decent and honest in the definition of Newspaperman: Dogged, Determined, yet never willing to print a story you had not checked and rechecked countless times for accuracy. You set the highest standard for your profession. As a lawyer who first met you when I was working as an Assistant State's Attorney on the Speck case, I learned quickly that I could trust you and if I told you something off the record, you always respected my request. That's why lawyers were willing to give you unattributed but valuable background because you never broke your word. Years later you went far out of your way to help me when I was researching my Speck Book and you went further out of your way to help me with the Jake Lingle case and many others I was writing about and teaching by opening up the Trib's files to me and leaving me your trust and privacy in a room alone. To use an word often overused and incorrectly used, you are unique for your diligence, moral integrity, courage, and dedication. You have served as a role model for many and your legacy will be the young reporters you trained to work hard, be accurate, keep your word, and, above all, do an incredibly difficult job while remaining calm and even-tempered. You can never be replaced, John, and I miss you so very, very much. God Bless You and your Family. Bill Martin

My deepest sympathy



Art Bilek

I extend my deepest sympathy to Pat, Sheryl, Nancy, Tim and everyone else in the O'Brien family. John was a great reporter and colleague. I am proud to have known him. Right now no words can console those who loved John, but in time, I hope, looking back on good times shared will help you to begin to smile again. John's brave spirit will remain with all of us.

To Karen, Paulette and the rest of your family,



My heart and prayers go out to you and your family in your time of need...Earth knows no sorrow that Heaven can't heal. May God Keep and Bless you and your family.



Cindy Coleman and Family

Professionally, I only overlapped with John's tenure at the Tribune for a short time, but I'll always remember how he treated me as an equal, which seemed incredible given the depth of his experience and impressive credentials.



Personally, I will treasure the week I spent at your time-share in Sanibel some years ago. John urged me to take some "family time" -- and, as usual, he was absolutely right.

You were always a center of influence in the newsroom as well as a gentleman. You taught a generation of young investigative reporters the value of finding and keeping sources. I will always be grateful for your support.

Family of John O'Brien,

My heartfelt condolences to you. I've known media people for four decades. Thoughts of John bring immediate memories of "class", "professionalism" and

"trustworthiness". I know you must feel pride, but feel prouder. He and his deserve no less.

Matt Rodriguez

For a great newspaper reporter...author...and gumshoe...John will be missed. He's up there somewhere working on a revised edition of Madhouse of Madison Street...negotiating with Hearst...application in hand...cuz he's got a Chicago crime beat scoop. Thanks for the memories.

John and I both covered the Federal Building in the late 60's and early 70's--he for the Tribune and I for Chicago Today. We both belonged to the same professional organizations--The Chicago Newspaper Reporters Assn. and the Chicago Press Veterans

Association--both as directors and as chairmen of the Press Vets. John, it was a blessing to have known and to have worked with you. May your soul have lasting peace.

Our Hearts are with you during this sad time. Love to all from Hugh's parents.

Dear Pat, Sheryl, Nancy and Tim,

Please accept our sincere condolences on the death of John. We are better people because we knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Ruth and Tom