Michael P. O'Brien
April 13, 1943 - August 27, 2024
Michael P. "Mick" "Mickey" O'Brien passed away August 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a hard fought battle from cancer.
Mick was born to Veronica Healy O'Brien and John "Binty" O'Brien on April 13, 1943.
He graduated from Butte Central High in 1961 where he played football and was the Veterans Division handball champion. He also excelled as a boxer and won numerous titles including 1961 AAU Champion, 1961 and 1962 Spokane Inland Empire Golden Gloves Champion, 1962 Billings Empire Golden Glove Champion, and 1963 Chicago National Golden Gloves Champion. Mick's boxing team was inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.
Mick attended Montana Tech from 1961-62 and was so proud to be the person who scored the first touchdown in 9 years and 44 games with a pass from quarterback Dale Fellows. This team was also inducted into the Montana Tech Hall of Fame.
Mick took a "break" from school and was immediately drafted into the Army and served his country in Vietnam in 1967. His tight knit family of the O'Brien, Bowman and Keefe families gathered at the Butte Airport to see him off. He kept his family informed that he was safe by sending pictures of himself in areas of Vietnam that had been untouched by the war. Mick returned home in 1969.
When he returned from Vietnam he went to the University of Montana and graduated as a "die-hard" Griz fan. He absolutely loved the "Griz" and the life-long friends that he made. Mick went on to become a parole officer in Kalispell. While there he started the Kalispell Boxing Club helping the youth.
In 1989, he fought for his life after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a result of his tour of duty in Vietnam (Agent Orange). Mick defined was it is to be "Butte Tough"!
Mick married his best friend Sharon on December 1, 1995, with this union he gained four children that he loved as his own. Mick worked for several car dealerships in Butte (from which he made lifelong friends), before starting his own business in 1990. He and Sharon operated Mick O'Brien Used Car & Truck Center for 32 years. Mick participated in every 4th of July and St. Patty's Day parade for 32 years. First having old cars, then in 1998 he entered his 1937 Ford Fire Truck convertible and completely enjoyed driving it and having family, friends and the Hibernians ride on the firetruck.
Mick was the epitome of a dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He loved teaching his grandchildren and his cousins how to fish, hunt, four-wheel and box. He always stepped up-to-the-plate whenever the four kids needed anything and was the "best grandpa ever".
Mick had a wonderful bond with his siblings. His sister and brother-in-law, Arlene (Tim) McLean, spending many evenings over dinner reminiscing about their wonderful family. Discussing current events, watching football and weekends spent at the Lake House. His brothers, Dan, the pianist that played by ear and kept the family entertained, Jack, the historian that kept Mick updated on family history and Pat (Susie), the artist that built the Harp with Leprechauns for his fire truck. There are so, so many stories that would take days to tell. Hunting, fishing, bowling, rafting, dirt biking and family outings.
Mick's nieces and nephews, Tracy (Kathi), Timothy (Kimber), Veronica (Randy), Sue (John), Steve (Kathy), Lori (Rick) and Teri (Joe) were the apple of his eye, and he was so proud of all of them and their accomplishments. They enjoyed many activities together.
He spent his earlier years with the O'Brien, Bowman and Keefe families with summer trips to Elk Horn Hot Springs, Lake Mary Ronan, Swan and Sealy Lakes. Mick loved his aunt, Enda; and uncle, Rich Bowman; cousins, Bonnie, Debbie, Bina, Cherie and Maureen; aunt, Viv; and uncle, Joe Keefe; and cousins, Tim and Lynn. The stories involving them are abundant. They all loved him so very much.
Mick cherished his memories with his cousin Pat O'Brien. Hiking the Tobacco Roots, playing on the haystacks and getting Pat's new shoes muddy. He was so proud of Pat's accomplishments and how much he contributed to Montana Tech.
Mick and Sharon took trips to Ireland with the Shea and Lyons families and to Puerto Rico, Spain, Hawaii and Germany with his sister and brother-in-law Arlene (Tim) McLean and niece Tracy.
Mick's lifelong friends Bob and Nancie LeCoure played such a role in his life. They could write a book about this relationship for over 55 years. Outdoor activities, boxing trips, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Seattle, are just a few. So many memories were made.
Mick is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Cheryl Fagan, Chris Matt, Jason (Michele) Mulcahy and Cori Mulcahy; nine grandchildren, Nicole (Dave), Eric (Hailey), Kylee, Preston (Ari), Kevin (Micah), Kelsey (Bryan), Christopher, Kale (Cara), Bradie (Marshall) and 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene (Tim) McLean; brothers, Jack and Pat (Susie) O'Brien; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dan; niece, Teri; sister-in-law, Arlene Carver (Bob); son-in-law, Jeff Fagan; aunts, Viv Keefe (Joe) and Enda Bowman (Rich); and cousin, Tim Keefe.
Friends may call on Thursday, September 19, 2024, after 5 p.m. in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Parish Vigil will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Friends may call of Friday, September 20, 2024, after 10 a.m. in St Ann's Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.
