Obituary of Michael James O'Brien
O’Brien, Michael “Mike”
It is with extreme sadness that I post this announcement. Michael “Mike” James O'Brien died suddenly on March 11, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Erna O'Brien (nee Green), sons Michael (Debbie) of Burlington, Vermont, and Christopher of Squamish, BC. Dear brother of Harvey (Brenda) of Arnprior, Ont. He will be missed by his mother Margaret O'Brien of Arnprior, Ont, his granddaughter Odessa and grandson Silas, along with many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his faithful companion Jake, his 8 year old Australian Blue Heeler.
Mike worked as a Hoisting Engineer for over 30 years. His first job was for Pitts McNamara building the parking lots for Expo 67 in Montreal. From there he oiled on machinery until he earned his hoisting Engineers ticket on February 6, 1970. It was while he was working at the Lower Notch in Cobalt that he met Erna, and they were married December 5, 1970. He proceeded to work all over Ontario until going back to his hometown of Pembroke and working for 20 years at the Atomic Energy Canada until retirement. Mike and Erna then lived what they had dreamed of doing - travelling all over Canada and the United States for 16 years. They loved going back to their cottage on Talon Lake for the summers. Mike never believed in wasting time, sitting around idle. So in the last 6 years, Mike along with Erna have groomed 4 acres of bush into a peaceful, parklike setting. There will be a memorial service held for him in early summer at their property in Rutherglen. A donation to Nipissing Serenity Hospice would be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Martyn Funeral Home (705) 472-8810. Online condolences may be left at www.martynfh.com. Many thanks to friends and family who have been there for Erna before and after Mike’s passing.
In Loving Memory
Michael O'Brien
1950 - 2019
