Mr. Robert Mayo O'Brien's Obituary
Mr. Robert (Bobby) Mayo O'Brien,70, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, January 13, 2018, at Sanctuary at McAuley, where he was receiving rehab services following an illness. Bob had courageously fought Parkinson's disease. Bob was born August 2, 1947, in Ludington, MI., to Thomas and Vera (Reynolds) O'Brien. He was a proud 1965 grad of Muskegon Heights School, attended MCC, Ferris State, & Northern Michigan University, receiving his bachelor of science degree in Physical & Health Education, and Business. Bob and Eileen (Clarke) O'Brien were married October 14, 1967. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Elizabeth, Brandon, and Jeff. Bob loved all that was music, and sports. He was active in both his high school and college choirs, and sang lead for many years with the Muskegon Shoreline Chorus. Bob even sang during brain surgery 10 yrs. ago, as the surgeon placed his deep brain stimulator for Parkinson's. He was an avid golfer, runner, cyclist, and swimmer. He and his Wisconsin buddy, Larry, would try to out plan each other to see how many sports they could play in one day! Bob wore many hats in his lifespan: golf caddie, mug washer at A&W, usher/manager at the Regent Theater, sales at Reid Tool Supply, part time teacher, Baker Business College, mental health worker, restaurant manager, Nursing Home Director, Pharmaceutical rep, and teacher. He retired from Muskegon Heights Public Schools in 2007 due to his Parkinson's disease. So often former students would remark, "I remember when you taught us the "Cha Cha Slide" in gym class," or "You were my adult ed. teacher!" He truly enjoyed every job he had, especially teaching. Bob also volunteered as a peewee football and soccer coach, scout leader, PTO president, cancer educator, and local NAMI president, just to name a few. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Christopher, son Brandon, and brothers-in law, Kevin and Patrick Clarke, and Ed Batka. Bob was so dearly loved, and will be deeply missed by Eileen, his wife of 50 years; daughter, Elizabeth, and her son Conor, of Kalamazoo; son Jeff, of Muskegon; brothers Tommy (Wink) of Homosassa Springs, FL, Denny (Cheryl) of Kalamazoo, MI, and Mark of Grand Rapids, MI; sisters-in-law, and brothers-in law, Cathy Mathieu & John Hyde, Margie Batka, Ed & Margie Clarke, and Rose & Doug Jolman, his cousins, the Reynolds’, Orr, and O’Brien Clans, and many nieces and nephews, and their children. We want to thank our families, our great neighbors, Bob’s dedicated doctors and therapists, our friends, and the Fruitport Fire Dept., who got to know Bob well, picking him up when he was down. In lieu of flowers, please consider The Michigan Parkinson's Foundation, in care of "The Lillian and Ruben Gold Fund, for Nursing Home Education." A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11:00 AM Friday, March 16, 2018, at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100. VISITATION will be one hour prior to the service (10-11:00 AM). Share memories with Bob’s family at his online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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