Dr. Thomas F. O’Brien and his wife, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, have both passed away.
Known to late-night watchers as Conan O’Brien’s parents, the O’Briens were professional heavyweights in their respective fields.
The first director of the division of infectious diseases at what is now Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. O’Brien is world renowned for researching the unintended consequences of antibiotics, which he discovered can give rise to drug-resistant superbugs when used imprecisely.
Mrs O’Brien, an attorney, was a trailblazer in her own right. After getting her start as a law clerk for Raymond Wilkins, Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, she was named the second woman partner at Ropes & Gray law firm in Boston in 1978, where she continued to work until her retirement in 1996.
The O’Briens, who were married for 66 years, died just four days apart. Dr O’Brien, who is said to have been in poor heath, passed away at home in Brookline, Massachusetts on Monday, while Mrs O’Brien died on Thursday. He was 95 and she was 92.
They are survived by six children and nine grandchildren. Conan O’Brien and his younger brother Justin were quoted in an obituary for Dr O’Brien, published late Thursday in The Boston Globe.
“Science has said there’s no such thing as perpetual motion, but my father was proof that that was wrong,” Conan told the Globe. “My father was in constant motion. And he was interested in everything—absolutely everything.
The former talk show also host noted his father’s appreciation for comedy, explaining that he made it a point to introduce his children to Jack Benny’s radio shows, Charlie Chaplin movies, and Marx Brothers movies.
Those who knew Dr. O’Brien through his work “would think, ‘What a fascinating man,’” Conan said. “But he was often the funniest guy in the room. And when he would laugh, his whole body would convulse and he would almost hug himself.”
A joint funeral for the O’Briens will be held in Brookline next week. Our condolences to all who knew and loved them.
My condolences to the O’Brien family.
Love & condolences to the entire O’Brien family 🙏🕊️⛲️💗
U were blessed to have descent loving successful parents,but growing up we never knew we’d be burying are parents but,all good things come to an end . Sorry for your loss.
It is with profound sadness that I offer my deepest condolences to the O’Brien family and to the many people that felt like they knew Dr. and Mrs. O’Brien because of the profound effect they had on everyone who benefited from their studies. Dr. O’Briens discoveries about antibiotics saved my life. I spent many late nights with Conan and realized that along with their life changing knowledge of science and the law, the O’Briens achieved a far greater honor. – the art of parenting a wonderful Son and his siblings. As Conan has said, his father and mother brought humor into the lives of their children at an early age. Thankfully, it resonated in Conan who would then bring me and my family enough joy and laughter to last a lifetime!! Here’s to Dr. and Mrs. O’Brien whose legacy and love will forever live on . You will be missed.
My condolences to the O’Brien family, and prayers to Conan for the safety of Liza, Neve, and Beckett from the fire in their Pacific Palisades neighborhood.