Timothy Sean (Tim) O’Brien of Vassar and Millington passed away suddenly Wednesday morning at his residences, Tim was 52.
A well-known, admired, and loved Vassar businessman, Tim O’Brien has left us all too early. He was the son of the late John and Shirley (Dahl) O’Brien and was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on April 7, 1961. Tim grew up in the Dearborn and Detroit area. As a young man, Tim worked for various corporations, but he had a dream of owning his own business. That dream became reality when Tim got into the entertainment business. In 1991, Tim became the owner of the Vassar Theater in downtown Vassar, where he has operated for the past 25 years. There was a period in time Tim owned and operated other theaters including the State Theater in Bay City, and the Green Acres Theater in Saginaw. Though he put his heart and soul into all of his business adventures, his true passion was for the first theater he purchased in downtown Vassar. As time passed, Tim eventually sold the other theaters and turned his attention 110-percent-plus to the Vassar Theatre. Tim went completely through the theater, renovating it back to its original décor with some moderate changes to better serve the community. Most recently, Tim changed the theater’s sound and projection systems to state-of-the-art digital equipment, again to better serve his community and to stay competitive in the industry. You could always find Tim at the theater either taking tickets, greeting you as you came in or dishing up your popcorn; and as you were leaving after the show, he was there in the lobby with his warm smile to show his appreciation for attending the show and to offer a simple thanks for coming in.
Tim leaves his girlfriend, Jean Esckelson, who was also at Tim’s side at the theater helping Tim greet, sell tickets or take orders in the popcorn booth; an adopted sister Patricia Uebbing; dear friends Rolf and Mari von Walthausen, Arno and Peg von Walthausen, Karl Dombrowski, Jenn Jennings, Rick and Linda Moreau, Dwayne McCauley, Jennifer Kilbourn, Gary Szymazk, Gretchen, Big Dave and Colleen, as well as countless loyal and special customers.
Tim will lie in state at the Vassar Theater on Sunday where friends and the community can pay their respects from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Monday from noon until his service begins at 2 p.m. The service will be to celebrate Tim’s life beginning at 2 p.m., and the eulogy will be given by a very dear lifelong friend Peg von Walthausen. Hanlin Funeral Home has been assisting the family with arrangements. If you would like to give a gift of remembrance you may do so to the family or to the Bullard Sanford Memorial Library of Vassar.
Personal condolences, sharing of memories, and lighting a memorial candle can be done at hanlinfuneralhome.com