Michael O'Brien

Michael Patrick O’Brien,  born October 24, 1946, in Winona, MN, the second child of Paul Francis and Virginia Agnes O’Brien. He passed away February 20, 2020, under the excellent care of the Caledonia Rehab and Retirement facility following deterioration in his health.   He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dennis.  He is survived by siblings Paul, Teresa, Kevin, Patrick, Virginia, RoseMary, and MaryAnne, and by, among many nieces and nephews, Sean, his favorite nephew who was kind and helpful to Michael.

Michael attended Cotter High School and a seminary prep school in Sioux City IA.  He served a 4 year enlistment with the U.S. Navy and trained as a naval corpsman medic, and served with the Marines at Chu Lai in Viet Nam.  During that time his father was very ill. Michael sent generous support home to his mother from his service pay and whatever other earnings he could muster.

Michael liked reading great literary works and often listened to Beethoven.  The Rolling Stones were his favorite contemporary musicians.  Following his military service he lived in Bremerton, Washington and attended college.   He was active in the theater department.    He developed an interest in writing and pursued it through his life.  In 1971, he moved to Waterloo,  IA, where worked at John Deere, Inc.  Later he moved to Ohio where he worked with his brother Patrick in the floor care industry.  Moving back to Winona, he continued in that trade and worked restoring stained glass windows with Kevin.

Michael was a loyal friend and had an open door to many.   He was an adept card player.   His dry sense of humor and disarming wit often had others laughing.

Michael once declared that had he been alive in the historical time of Jesus and encountered Him, he would have wholeheartedly followed Him.  Special thanks to his dear friends at Catholic Charities for their service.

A private memorial service will be held as per his request.

Online condolences or memories may be left at www.watkowski-mulyck.com