Michael P. O'Brien

Michael P. O'Brien

Jul-11-2026

Michael Patrick Christopher OBrien passed away on July 11, 2016, after a brief illness. He was born on August 19, 1956. He is survived by his life partner, Linda Velarde; his daughter, Bonnie (Brendan Speller); and his beloved granddaughter, Parker Beck. He is also survived by his brothers, Daniel, William (Amy Chang), and Joseph (Erin), and was predeceased by his brother Timothy OBrien. He was the nephew of Dr. Donald L. Hayes and a beloved uncle to Anna (Morgan Morel), Aaron (Bethany Hunt), Liam, Audrey, and Finn. Mike retired from the Department of Homeland Security after a 23-year career as a communications specialist. He was also a Master Electrician and the owner of OBrien Electric for more than 30 years. In addition, he taught electrical workforce development at BOCES for seven years until his passing. He was a private pilot for more than 20 years and loved traveling and outdoor adventures of all kinds. An avid motorcyclist, he embraced life with energy and curiosity. Mike will be remembered most for his deep love for Linda, Bonnie, Parker, and his entire family. He was known to all who knew him for his exceptional kindness and generosity, his expansive intellect, his strong work ethic, and his sense of humor, always accompanied by a quick smile. He will be profoundly missed. Friends and family are invited to visit Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, on Wednesday, July 15, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., to celebrate his life and share memories.

My heart and prayers go out to all of his family. Mike was one of the kindest most thoughtful people I have ever worked with. His students loved and respected him. He always had a smile and went out of his way to help others and brighten their day. Work will never be the same. Prayers of strength and healing to all of those that loved him.

TammyOrmsby

Jul-13-2026 | North Tonawanda, NY | Friend

Mike O’Brien was a great teacher and I owe all my knowledge of Electrical to him. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to him and his family

JermaineSkillon

Jul-13-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

Mike was the best teacher I’ve ever had, if other teachers cared half as much as he did, the world would be a better place.

AustinAntoszek

Jul-13-2026 | Lancaster, NY | Friend

Mike was an all around GREAT person! I am beyond grateful for the last 3 months I spent with Michael at BOCES! Mike made learning electrical work so easy for me because I could tell he really loved what he did. As I embark on my electrical career I’ll always keep Mike and his loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences goes out to Linda, Bonnie, and the rest of the family and friends. I’m so sorry for y’all loss!

JahadWiley

Jul-13-2026 | North Tonawanda , NY | Friend

I worked with Mike and looked forward to his daily hello's. I can still hear his cheery voice that made everyone smile. What a fantastic man he was. He will truly be missed.

AmyS

Jul-16-2026 | Tonawanda, NY | Friend

Mike was an incredible guy that I kept in touch with after being a student of his in 2022, Mike led me to a better career path due to his remarkable ability to teach people with little to no experience in his field. Full of knowledge and full of life, I'm grateful that I had the chance to meet him and learn from him. Mike also helped with an issue I had at home when I really needed it. Im incredibly sorry to his family and friend's for their loss he was a special person. God bless you Mike you will be missed.

AnthonyD'Amico

Jul-13-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

I did not know Mike for long, but he got me into the electrical field through his bocces class and he was a great teacher, and a great guy, went out of way to help people. Rest in peace Mike.

SeanWekenmann

Jul-13-2026 | East Amherst, NY | Friend

I was a student of Mike’s at Boces. Mike had the biggest impact on my way of thinking about life more than any teacher I’ve ever had. I always tell people how fun it was having a teacher that clearly loved what he did in life and enjoyed painting a path for others. I will always be very grateful for his advice and lessons, rest in peace.

ColinSackett

Jul-15-2026 | Cheektowga , NY | Friend

I was in Mike’s class last year and the impact he had on mine and so many others lives is amazing. He was a great teacher and a good man. I will miss him and always think back on the brief time spent in his class. Rest easy Mike and thank you for everything.

GiovanniCordova

Jul-14-2026 | Cheektowaga, NY | Friend

Mike was not only a great teacher but was great friend to everyone he taught I will always be grateful for the impact he had on my life.

StuartMcLeod

Jul-15-2026 | Forestville , NY | Friend

To his wife Linda, his daughter Bonnie, his granddaughter Parker, and everyone else who were close to him. Im sorry for your loss. Mike was an extremely good mentor, friend, and teacher I have ever had. He truly cared about his students and helped us perfect our tasks. I am forever grateful to have an amazing teacher teach me what he has perfected in his career. Once again, sorry for your loss and may his memories you all had with him carry on.

JulioRamirez

Jul-15-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

I had the opportunity to be one of Mike's students this past spring. He was one of the best teachers I've ever had. Mike has had a significant positive impact on my life which I’m always going to be very grateful for, Keeping his family in my prayers.

NicholasJalovick

Jul-16-2026 | Lancaster, NY | Friend

I worked with Mike in Batavia at the Federal Detention Facility. He was very skilled as the electrician and later the Communications Specialist. Mike was always fun to work with and just be around. I wish I would have had him as a teacher when I was in school. Most of the instructors were NOT experienced in industrial situations, Just taught the book. Mike will be missed by everyone that he knew.

RichardJurkowski

Jul-16-2026 | Buffalo , NY | Friend

I only knew Mike for a short while as my teacher but he was the most kind and generous mentor I’ve ever had. You didn’t have to know him well to tell he had an amazing soul and caring heart.

HannahMulkern

Jul-16-2026 | Buffalo , NY | Friend

Mike was a gentleman and a gifted electrical craftsman. He knew the electrical industry, how to properly work within it and to correctly teach it. He had a calming demeaner and always made you feel at ease around him. I delt with him for many years and inspected some the neatest, cleanest, code compliant electrical installations I have seen. He was always a pleasure to work with and I shall miss him greatly. Attached photo is from 1997. Rest in Peace my friend, Mike Murphy

MichaelMurphy

Jul-27-2026 | Tonawanda, NY | Friend

I owe my electrical career to Mike. He was such a good teacher, and a good man. I'm heartbroken.

JordanGarrett

Jul-23-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

I was one of mikes last student at the boces class in the summer he was a great teacher he’d make jokes and if you asked for help he would give it

AnthonyParisi

Sep-02-2026 | Buffalo , NY | Friend

I was a student of Mike’s this passed Spring. I learned more than just about electrical concepts and codes from him. I learned what it meant to be a good teacher and good human being. I worked with him briefly also. I will always look back to this short time with Mike and smile. Rest in peace my dear friend and teacher. With love and appreciation, Mahmoud Omar

MahmoudOmar

Jul-13-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

Mike was always a phone call away. As one of his students last year, and some, he has been assisting me and mentoring me and didn’t need to give me any of his time. I will miss him very, very much.

JordanGrabar

Jul-13-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

Mike was an incredible teacher, in his class he showed us what to look forward to as an electrician,I enjoyed when he talked about his joy of philosophy and it showed me there’s other types of blue collar workers that don’t fit the classic stereotype and thats something that always stuck with me. I’m nearly 2 years in into being an electrician and it all started with Mike,Rest easy brother

ChanceParish

Jul-13-2026 | Buffalo , NY | Friend

My last memory of Michael was when he walked up to me, shook my hand and said that I did a Great job.. Coming from someone who has done so much meant the world to me. He would literally give you the shirt off of his back., I'll pray for his whole family..God bless

CurtisCroskery

Jul-14-2026 | Buffalo, NY | Friend

I only met Mike for a brief time. I graduated from BOCES last year in December. I worked with him on the Residential/Commercial Wiring program and enjoyed his lessons and the tours we went on. I will truly miss him.

NicholasRenzoni

Jul-14-2026 | West Seneca, NY | Friend

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