Bruce ObRien

Bruce OBrien, 61

Bruce Thomas O'Brien, 61 of Libby, Montana, passed away on August 9, 2025 from complications involving his heart and kidneys. (See below for memorial details).

Bruce was born January 2, 1964 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was the fourth child of William O'Brien of Fort Dodge, IA and Agnes Marie (Evans) O'Brien of Wallace, ID. He is survived by his wife Jocelyn, his sister and her husband Carolyn and Roy Mita, niece Katie, brother Mark O'Brien and his wife Sarah, nieces Leslie & Allison, in-laws Julie & Izik St.Onge, Caleb Eastham, June Eastham, nephew Foxton and his wife's parents Brenda Fleshman and Jerry Eastham, along with the many friends Bruce remained close with throughout his life.

Bruce graduated from Libby High School in 1982 then went on to Bozeman where he studied Criminal Justice at MSU. He spent time as a Reserve Police Officer in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho but ultimately earned a degree in Mortuary Sciences, which he applied to a career as a Funeral Director and Mortician which took him from California to Montana, Alaska, Washington and California. Bruce eventually returned to Libby, Montana where he worked Turner Mountain Ski Area and then the Forest Service. Bruce loved working for Turner and being part of the community of skiers at the nonprofit teaching ski area. He was a passionate supporter and worked as a volunteer for several fund-raising campaigns benefitting Turner Mountain, including the Mission Mountain Wood Band and Pure Prairie League benefit concerts.

Bruce met his wife Jocelyn in Alaska in 1992 and they married on October 1, 2016 at a friends home on Vashon Island. Although they were only married for 9 years, Bruce and Jocelyn spent 25 years together. They loved to road trip and their love story extends from coast to coast and all points in between. Being on the road was their happy place - if you knew Bruce, you probably knew he wasn't afraid to log the miles to reach a destination. Together Bruce and Jocelyn crossed the Great Divide at least 25 times, and often a quick trip turned into weeks because they couldn't stand to end their journey.

Bruce had a special place in his heart for his friends. His Dad frequently commented about Bruce's uncanny knack of making friends anywhere he went. Loyal and easy going, Bruce had a way of making folks feel heard, validated and cared about and he always had time to listen when someone he cared about needed to talk.

Bruce and Jocelyn spent several years living in a bus that they renovated into a tiny home that they used to travel around Washington working on Cannabis farms and making plant medicines. Bruce was an excellent gardener and was endlessly interested in the processes involved in the production of high quality Cannabis flower and medicine. He loved to hunt with his friends and looked forward to hunting season each year the way a kid looks forward to Christmas. He was a John Prine fan. A motorcycle enthusiast, he lived for the time he got to spend on his BMW, wind in his hair and miles to travel before the day was done. Bruce went to Burning Man several times and firmly believed that everyone should attend that festival in the desert at least once. In short Bruce O'Brien was a free spirit and an adventurer, loyal, kind and devoted to those of us fortunate enough to be loved by him. His legacy of generosity and compassion will live on in the many lives he touched and all of the friends he made at home and on his travels.

Bruces family would like to extend an invitation to his Celebration of Life (otherwise known as the

Last Annual Thank God Bruce Was Alive Party

September 13, 3:00 pm

VFW in Libby, MT.

Please come, enjoy one another, and be prepared laugh and cry and share the audacious or hilarious or important stories you have collected from and with Bruce over the years. Thank you!