April 5, 1941 - October 6, 2023
C. Michael O'Brian passed away Friday, October 6th from a sudden neurological injury. He was surrounded by his wife, Inna, and six children, Travis, Meghan, Paisley, Shannen, Chelsea and Michella. Michael was adored by his family, including his four sisters, Maureen, Trish, Kerry and Denny, his in-laws and his 15 grandchildren; and by his many, many friends. Michael was a man of great energy, positivity, and generosity of spirit, always running enthusiastically headfirst into every day. Michael loved walking the trails near his family home in Roberts Creek; he was passionate about nature, racquet sports, music and art, and always sought to create beauty in every corner of his life.
Michael was born in Penticton in 1941 but spent every summer of his life at Roberts Creek, where his grandfather purchased property in 1915. This property was an anchor through all the stages of Michael's life, a place he shared with his whole family: parents and sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews -- five generations and counting! Together with them, he was always keen to go on the next group hike in the forest, picnic to the falls, tennis match, fishing adventure, drink hour, and of course swim! It didn't matter what, everything was more joyful and enriched when Michael was there.
After retiring from his successful business career where he was CEO of the C.M. Oliver Group of Companies, he devoted his time to promoting the arts in B.C. and across Canada. Michael was an avid art collector and music enthusiast and enriched his country through patronage, philanthropy, and personal relationships with individual artists. He was recognized for this work with an honorary Doctorate from Emily Carr University of Art + Design and was appointed member to the Order of Canada in 2019.
The forest on the Sunshine Coast became increasingly important to Michael, and any donations to promote the conservation work of Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) in Michael's name would be gratefully appreciated.
