Passed away Friday October 6 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, and his fifteen 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. He began his career at BMO, and later moved to Vancouver to work in the investment sector with Pitfield Mackay Ross (now RBC Dominion Securities). Subsequently he acted as director and vice-president of Canaccord Capital and CEO of C.M. Oliver Group of Companies. In retirement, he continued to be a director of numerous private and public companies, as well as arts and educational organizations including the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Opera, Museum of Anthropology, the National Art Gallery of Canada, and Emily Carr University. He served on the Dean Advisory Board at the Faculty of Arts at UBC. Over and above Michael's selfless gift of time and mentorship, Michael contributed financially to these and many other arts and educational organizations through the Michael and Inna O'Brian Family Foundation.

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.

A service of thanksgiving for Michael's life and witness will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St. Vancouver, on Thursday, October 19, at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.