The Hon. Donald J. O’Brien, Jr.
The Hon. Donald J. O’Brien, Jr.; age 81; of Indian Head Park. Loving father of Donald J. (Linda) O’Brien, III; Sean (Lisa) O’Brien; and the Hon. Brendan (Jessica) O’Brien. Devoted grandfather of Aubrey, Zachary, Samantha, Judy, and Vanessa. Dear brother of Nancy (Rodger) Brown, Terrence (Judy) O’Brien, Dennis (Pat) O’Brien, and Richard (Doreen) O’Brien. Beloved partner of the Hon. Denise O’Malley. Fond uncle and friend of many. Donald was a devoted lawyer and judge for over 50 years. A memorial visitation will be rescheduled at a later date. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside at 708-352-6500.
Don and Linda and family, I am so sorry for the loss of you Father. Life is brief and death is not the end. This is a good time to think about what is next after this life is over. May the God of all comfort supply what you need.
Thank you Aunt Becky.
We will sorely miss you, but we will never forget you. A great man, great judge with a great family. You cannot be replaced.
Thank you Judge. I know you had the Chicago flood case with him when you were a lawyer.
Brandon, sincere condolences on the passing of your father.
Joe Coffineau M.D.
Thank You Doctor!
Judge, I am so sorry to hear this. I know who much you respected each other. You and your family are in my prayers at this difficult time. Dan Biederman, Sr.
Thank you Counselor!
Dear Linda Sean and Brendan, My sincere sympathy at your fathers passing. My memories go way back to when you kids where very little Your Dad and I had many good times together in out Timber Trails days
While our trails moved in different directions over the years, the good memories are forever lasting..
The losing of a parent is never easy but holding on to those good memories helps heal the loss If I was in Illinois now I would be at the service but I have asked AnnMarie to represent the family . Regards. Jim Pearson
Sorry. I meant Donald JR
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. There are no words that will comfort you, but your memories will, and time which has stopped; will start again and it will be your friend.
May your loved one find joy in their new life and may you find comfort in your memories and the love you all share of him.
Praying for you all
Thank you for you comforting words, Denise.
So very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man. I will always remember his intelligence & wit. Your family will be in my prayers at this difficult time.
Thank you Carol.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. A great Trial judge. He taught us all very well. A true legend.
May he Rest In Peace. God Bless.
Great compliment Stephan!
So sorry for your family’s loss. Our prayers go out to the entire O’Brien family and loved ones. I pray that your hearts heal, and that the memories and blessings of a life well lived lift your spirits.
God bless.you.
Thank you Sean.
Brendan, I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t realize he was your father. He was an excellent judge. I’m sure he was incredibly proud of you. Be well and safe.
Thank you Justice! Big shoes to fill for me as a Judge!
Sorry for your loss. He was one of the smartest if not the smartest and hardest working jurists at The Daley Center throughout his career as a Judge.
Thanks Mark! You’ve been a good loyal friend over the years!
Brendan: So sorry for your loss. I had the wonderful opportunity to
Know your father from
Both sides of the bench. He was a brilliant and remarkable man. I know you will follow in his footsteps.
Thanks John! He respected you! Very kind remarks
I am sorry for the family’s loss and the legal community’s loss. I enjoyed watching in his courtroom because you could see that the lawyers did not want to tangle with him on the law.
Thank you Mike. I know you worked on his appeals when he was a lawyer.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I appeared before Judge O’Brien many times. I found him to be tough, rigorous, and always fair. He will be remembered as part of a tradition of fine jurists. Please know that our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Thanks Matt! He was the same as a father!
What a man! A phenomenal trial lawyer, whose work I directly observed. A great trial judge, before whom I had the professional privilege of trying a big case. And a great mentor to many, including myself.
He’ll not be forgotten.
Thank you Justice! Great compliment! We’ve talked in the past about your experiences with him!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved him very much, and love you all. May God bless you with beautiful memories.
Thank you.
To the entire O Brien family my deepest condolences. A wonderful man whom I had the pleasure to know and love. His fathers pride and joy who carried the O Brien name well. May he Rest In Peace. Many wonderful memories personally and professsionally. He will remain in my prayers.
Thanks Randy!
Terry: your brother and I grew up in the practice of law together from law school on, to dinners in the Oak Park apt and breakfast down from St Peters. Remember visiting with he in your father’s office and we both got a post graduate degree in the real practice of law. Was it your arm orDonald’s that was broken in in the accident, your family if a real part of Chicago History. I am sorry Maureen and I can not attend the but we are Vero. He is in our prayers. John
Richard and Doreen,
So sorry to read of the passing of your brother. May he rest in peace. I don’t believe I ever met him, but remember you speaking of him often.
Hope all is well with you. If you’d like to catch up, call me at 765.623.3811.
Latch
Brendan and Denise,
I cherished my trial assignments in front of him. He was a role model for all judges to follow. Truly, one of a kind….
Thanks Kevin. I was lucky to have him and you as an example of a really good lawyer!
To Brendan, Don and the entire family, I would like to express my sincerest condolences. I had the pleasure of working on the same floor as your dad for years. He was a great guy.
Thank you!
My father John Burtker, used to ride the Burlington Northern with Donald Sr. and Don Jr for years. As a very young lawyer, riding to work with the O’Briens’ was an honor and an education. Don Jr always had time to talk and assist with any question I may have had over the years. Truly a great legal mind and friend.
Thanks Dave! Very thoughtful comment!
A brilliant lawyer, compassionate judge and just a great guy. The bench and bar lost a true leader and friend. To the family he was dad but to us he was always a tremendously respected and well-liked judge. The legal community lost a great one. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Thank you! Very thoughtful!
I left my thoughts on Legacy when I heard this sad news on Monday. Not a surprise after Brendan told me how sick he was a couple of weeks ago at a luncheon but still an awakening to realize that a man who had such an impact on my development as a trial lawyer is now gone. I had several opportunities over the years to work with Don over trials and pre trials from my days as a young lawyer until I was not so young. He taught me to always be prepared and to expect the unexpected. He will always remain one of the best trial judges I’ve ever had the honor to practice before. We will mourn his loss but cherish his memory. May he rest in peace. My sincerest condolences to Don, Brendan and the rest of his wonderful family. I am sorry that our current national situation precludes me from extending my heartfelt sympathy in person. Al Durkin
Thank you Al!
Brendan- Very sorry you hear of your fathers passing. Prayers to all. 🙏🏻
Thank You Jenny!
Brendan and O’Brien family, Id like to express my sympathy from My father Jan and I. Unfortunately my dad can not attend due to age etc, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Brian Smid
Brian and Jan- Thank you, love you both. I remember laughing with the two of them at My Dad’s house. Janny had his hands full with my Dad!
Donnie, Sean, and Brendan
Sorry for your loss. Well respected in the community and loved dad. Great memories at the Boyd and O’Brien house in the early years. Love you guys. Jimmy
Brendan I just saw this now and I apologize for the late response. Your father was a great Judge, mediator and person. I wish you and your family the very best through all of this. I am sorry for your loss.
Thanks Mo D! See you in a few weeks hopefully. Keep Hinsdale safe!
I was so sorry to see that Don had passed. I was his barber for many years and he will be missed. He always gave me great recommendations for good books to read and always loved a good joke. Always so proud of his family and their achievements. My condolences to all, I’m sure he will be greatly missed.
Thank you. Very thoughtful!
Don and family, From all your Mount Carmel High School classmates of 1956, we and our families wish your family the best in this sorrowful time. Death is hard enough on all families, but when the person who dies is also a good fellow, that makes it much harder. Bob Keeley, Class of 1956, Chicago 60643
Thank you Sir. He always spoke so highly of Mt. Carmel. My youngest daughter knows many classmates who are attending.
Dear O’Brien family–we were shocked to just discover that your father passed away in March. A friend was visiting Leslie’s gravesite and discovered that Don had joined her in Bronswood. Leslie surely is happy and relieved to finally have Don by her side after 8 years. Don was an important part of Leslie’s life esp in his generous and loving care of her during her cancer battle.
Please pass on our condolences from all the Mann family . I left a message at the cemetery office hoping someone might give me a call. Chris Mann Veale (Leslie Mann Smith’s sister)
I worked with Judge Donald J. O’Brien when he was the Chief Judge of the chancery division in Cook County. I was his assignment clerk. When he was on vacation, I worked with other chancery judges, plus probate judges. I learned a lot from all of them. I also have tons of hilarious stories that I will not divulge at this moment.
I am sad to hear about your current loss.
Kathy (Hartley) Lightfoot
River Forest, Illinois
Don and i graduated from northwestern university school of law in 1963. the weekend after graduation don invited me to join him at the family cabin in Michigan. i also have a picture of don and several of our classmates reaching for my wife’s garter at my first wedding. always enjoyed his presence at our law school reunions and also his advice on several issues that i contemplated litigating. i will miss him.