Michael D. O’Brien
Michael D. O’Brien
10/04/1951 – 08/06/2014
Michael D. O’Brien passed away peacefully on August 6, 2014 at the age of 62. Mike was born in San Francisco to Dr. Ralph G. O’Brien and Christine K. O’Brien on October 4, 1951. His parents moved to Long Beach, Ca. in 1953. His mother and stepfather George Howell moved the family to Santa Barbara in 1964. Mike attended San Marcos High School and Santa Barbara City College. Mike and his first wife Pia started a leather crafting business and sold their wares at the beach show for many years until their divorce.
In 1985 Mike married Paula A. Lepene. Mike continued as a small business owner, operating O’Brien Water Services. Their daughter Christine (Dini) O’Brien was born in 1991. Together they raised Dini and Paula’s son Dustin Stone. Many happy days were spent at Haskell’s beach teaching his children to surf.
Mike had a lifelong passion for music. He played bass, guitar, keyboard, and trumpet, among other instruments. He was involved in many musical endeavors including producing and editing music for others. He spent many years playing in rock bands, most notably The Buker Brothers and World Flag. Mike had many other interests as well. He was fluent in Spanish and spoke some French, German and Italian. He loved the outdoors, computers, jewelry making, gardening, painting and of course surfing.
Mike was preceded in death by both of his parents and his older sister Phyllis. He is survived by his daughter, Dini K. Dixon, his sister, Linda Radon (Don) his brother, David O’Brien, his half-brother, Brad O’Brien (Sheryl) of Georgia, Paula O’Brien, Dustin Stone, his step mother June O’Brien of Georgia, his nephews and nieces – JC McAmis (Tita), Wendy Hendrix (Fred), Fred McAmis (Sarah), Valea McAmis, Josh Radon (Sarah), Kate Radon McCune (Jeremy), Melissa Hornbeck, Alex, Spencer and Olivia O’Brien of Georgia, many great nieces and nephews, many cousins and his beloved dog Yoko.
There was a memorial paddle out at Haskell’s Beach on August 9, 2014. Many of Mike’s family and friends were in attendance. His ashes will be sprinkled in the ocean as he wished where he may finally find a peaceful resting place.