Michael O'Brien

Michael John O'Brien, adoring husband, dad, and "Bamps," passed away on March 27, 2025. Mike was born to Simon Norman O'Brien and Beverly Ann Fuller in Detroit, Michigan on November 7, 1953. Mike was a beloved brother to Norman (Marilyn), Kimberly (Tom), and Kathleen, brother-in-law to Mike (Latifa) and June, and an endearing uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Proudly raised in Berkley, from a young age Mike was a musician. Influenced by The Beatles and The Who, he became a drummer, playing in a variety of bands with life-long friends. Mike was a dedicated surgical technician and first assistant in the operating room for more than forty years at Beaumont in Royal Oak. It was there that he met the love of his life, Donna Johnson. They were each other's very best friend, spending six years together before getting married on September 22, 1984 and remaining married for over forty years.
The best days of Mike's life were spent around his children Molly and Michael, well documented by every generation of home video. He celebrated and cherished simple day to day moments with his kids and fondly remembered every family vacation. Mike was proud to watch his children grow up and grateful to consider them his dearest friends. Mike welcomed as one of his own his dear son-in-law, David, who was a buddy and travel companion for years.
Four and a half years ago, Mike became "Bamps." A beloved grandfather to his three granddaughters, Endelyn Inza, Agatha Finley, and Imogene Alice. His playful ways were reinvigorated when spending time with them. Fun loving, creative, and silly, "Bamps" was the highlight of many memories shared at the family home on Chippewa.
Those that knew him best saw Mike as the most gracious, kind, and genuine person. He inspired those around him with an infectious love of his life's captivations - music, baseball, space, history, irreverent humor, weather, A&W rootbeer, and cold Miller Lite. Our dear dad was cherished and will be deeply missed by so many.
There will be a visitation held for Michael on April 3rd, 2025 at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home,705 W. Eleven Mile Rd. (4 Blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak, MI 48067, from 2-8 pm. Michael will lie instate on April 4th, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 730 South Lafayette Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48067, from 11:30 am till the Mass time of 12:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Michigan at https://www.hom.org/donate.