Thomas Edward O'Brien

Thomas Edward O?Brien was born on the 15th of September 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died on the 18th of January 2011. Tom, who was of 100% Irish descent, was born to the late Ann Louise (Rafferty) and Thomas Joseph O?Brien. He attended St. Anslem Catholic School in Swissvale, Pennsylvania for twelve years where he was a standout on the high school basketball team and served as an altar boy at the parish. After graduation in 1970, he entered the University of West Virginia, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1974. He completed his education in 1992 with an Executive MBA from Northwestern University. After college, Tom worked for Dravo Corporation, which eventually brought him to Indianapolis, Indiana and to the attention of the construction supervisors at BMW Constructors. Tom joined BMWC in 1979 and was quickly promoted to Area Manager. Tom?s recognized leadership capabilities led to his election as President of BMWC?s Illinois Division in 1989. In 1996, Tom became President of the company and also assumed the additional responsibilities of CEO. During his 32 years at BMWC Tom helped the company expand and prosper and truly loved his leadership role and ...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

BMWC family that worked with him. Tom was deeply committed to his family and his community. He was a member of various boards and organizations. Some of his current and past affiliations include: Advisory Board Member, Construction Industry Institute; Executive Committee Member Northwest Indiana Labor Committee, Indiana Construction Roundtable; Board member, Goodwill Industries, MPRI, The Alliance, Luce Companies, and Clarian Transplant; member of The Indianapolis Junto; past President, World Presidents Organization; and an alumnus of the Stanley K. Lacey Executive Leadership Series, Indianapolis. Tom was humbled and greatly honored to recently be awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Mitch Daniels. Tom married Nikki Lynn (Catsban) Addison in 1988. He embraced her two sons, Randall and Ryan, as his own and they have a daughter, Kaitlin Ann O?Brien. He is survived by his wife Nikki and daughter Kaitlin, Carmel, IN, sons Randall Allen Addison and his wife, Julia Addison, Carmel, IN, Ryan Scott Addison, Houston, TX, sister Rosemary O?Brien, Carmel, IN, and granddaughter Mia Kate Addison, Carmel, IN. Family and friends will gather from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, January 21, 2011 at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, of which he was member, on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com to share remembrances of Tom and in lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that contributions be made to the O?Brien Family Organ Transplant Fund at Indiana University School of Medicine. Please make memorial gifts payable to ?IU Foundation-O?Brien Transplant Fund? and mail to Indiana University School of Medicine, c/o IU Foundation, P.O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266. Please indicate ?In Memory of Tom O?Brien? on your gift.