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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Patrick William O'Brien was a gregarious
3 Irish-American who made people laugh by telling stories and
4 finding the humor in everyday life; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Mr. O'Brien, a lifelong Evanston resident, passed
6 away on August 11, 2006; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Mr. O'Brien grew up the middle of three brothers;
8 he attended St. Athanasius School and Evanston Township High
9 School; in 1947, he received a bachelor's degree in mechanical
10 engineering from Northwestern University; and
 
11     WHEREAS, While Mr. O'Brien contemplated a career in
12 academia, a college professor encouraged him to consider law;
13 by 1950, he had a law degree from Northwestern University; and
 
14     WHEREAS, In 1954, he was at a party when he noticed a
15 stunning blond named Deborah Bissell; Mr. O'Brien was working
16 up the courage to speak to her when he lit his pipe and the
17 match flew, lighting Bissell's sundress on fire; he apologized
18 and offered to take her to dinner; they married in 1955 and had
19 seven children; and
 
20     WHEREAS, After briefly working at a private law firm, Mr.
21 O'Brien joined the Air Force during the Korean War, worked in
22 the judge advocate general's department, and became a captain;
23 and
 
24     WHEREAS, In 1953, he joined Mayer, Meyer, Austrian & Platt;
25 as a trial lawyer for more than 50 years with the Chicago law
26 firm, Mr. O'Brien delivered serious performances in the
27 courtroom that demonstrated his vast knowledge of and passion
28 for the law; Pat became a mentor to younger attorneys and was
29 generous in sharing his experiences; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Mr. O'Brien shared his struggles with alcoholism;
2 he authored an article about his experiences for the Chicago
3 Bar Association and served as president of the State Lawyers'
4 Assistance Program, which helps lawyers deal with substance
5 abuse issues; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The passing of Pat O'Brien will be deeply felt by
7 all who knew and loved him; he was the beloved husband of
8 Deborah O'Brien, nee Bissell; the loving father of Kathy (Tom)
9 Caplice, Mariellen (Mike) Hendricks, Patrick O'Brien, Jim
10 (Karen) O'Brien, Patti (T.J.) Sheahan, the late Eileen and
11 Michael O'Brien; the proud grandfather of Michael, Brian,
12 Eddie, Molly, Nell, Patrick, Carlin, Mac, Shaun, Eileen, Erin
13 and Margaret; the dear brother of the late Jim (Fran) O'Brien
14 and Paul (Ann) O'Brien; and the uncle of many; therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
16 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
17 Patrick William O'Brien, and we extend our sincere condolences
18 to his family, his friends, and all who knew and loved him; and
19 be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21 presented to his family as an expression of our deepest
22 sympathy.