Andrew O'Brien

Andrew T. O'Brien, 28 of Ware, sadly lost his life to addiction. Born May 17, 1990 the son of Maeve Rohan O'Brien and Gary O'Brien. A graduate of Ware High and honors graduate of Northern Vermont University-Lyndon with a Bachelor's in Mountain Recreational Management.  He was employed at Knight Machine as a machinist.  Drew was a natural athlete with an amazing smile and an individual who saw the best in everyone.  His positive, carefree personality allowed him to make friends easy and be the life of the party.  With his infectious energy he enjoyed having fun, laughing and dancing. Drew had his most happiness spending time with family and being outdoors, playing soccer, surfing and above all snowboarding.  He enjoyed family vacations, sporting events, trips to Wellfleet and Wells, Maine.  His passion for snowboarding started at an early age and then on Burke Mountain where many memories were created.  This continued passion brought him to the mountains of Colorado where he found his utopia. 
Drew is survived by his father Gary O'Brien and his wife Sherry from Thorndike; his mother Maeve O'Brien and her partner Richard Durepo of Ware; his two adored sisters, Aislinn Ellis and her husband Dustin of Arizona, and Annie Kate O'Brien and her fiancé Jeremey Dobbins of South Carolina.  He will be sadly missed by his grandparents Richard and Martha Rohan of Ware and Shirley O'Brien of Westfield.  He will also be missed by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and cherished friends.  A celebration of Drew's life will begin with visiting hours on Thursday, February 14th from 4:00-7:00pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N. Main Street in East Longmeadow; and will continue on Friday, February 15th with a service at 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 49 Church Street in Ware.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Drew’s memory to the www.thechillfoundation.org (https://www.chill.org/support-chill). To leave an online message to the family or for more information, please visit www.forastiere.com.