EAST DORSET, Vt. – Michael Edward O’Brien, 35, formerly of Lee, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, alongside his wife, Danielle (Lauzon) O’Brien, as a result of an automobile accident. Born Feb. 23, 1970, in Presque Isle, to William T. and Margaret B. (Crocker) O’Brien. He was a 1988 graduate of Lee Academy. He was known to all who loved him as an avid hunter and fisherman who also took great pride in his work as a carpenter for his good friend Rob Hopkins, owner of Pinnacle Ridge Construction. He loved to show off the beautiful homes he had helped build in the Manchester/Dorset area. Before his move to Vermont, Michael worked for many years as a security guard at Lincoln Pulp and Paper in Maine and had fond memories of the friendships he made while there. Michael was an honest man, who worked hard and loved to listen to Elvis, Neil Diamond and Aerosmith, and looked forward to planning his next big hunting trip to Maine and also loved the hunting camp he visited frequently with his father-in-law. Mike and Danielle lived life to the fullest and just last fall, were able to enjoy a belated honeymoon and drove across the country to see the sites that they had always dreamed about. He was also very proud of the fact that he had just purchased his first motorcycle and was busy planning his first big road trip, now that he had his license. Michael was predeceased by his father, William Thomas O’Brien; his mother, Margaret Bonnie (Crocker) O’Brien; and the grandfather who unselfishly raised him as his own son, Frederick Norman Crocker. Surviving him is his grandmother, Lillian Nadine Crocker of Lincoln; and her children, Eric Allen Crocker of North Carolina and Mary (Crocker) Adams of East Dorset, Vt. Mary was instrumental in helping him start his new life in Vermont and for that he was eternally grateful. He will be remembered by his two sisters, who adored him, Candance Anne (O’Brien) Gifford of Lee, and Tracy Lee (O’Brien) Libby of West Enfield; and three very special brothers-in-law, Randy L. Gifford, Robert E. Libby and Steven G. Adams. He leaves behind several cherished nieces and nephews for whom he boasted of often and he never grew tired of hearing about their latest accomplishments, Ashlee Michelle and Amanda Lynn Gifford of Lee, Aaron William and Beau Alexander Gagnon and Olivia Lynn and Kobe Michael Libby, all of West Enfield; and a very special cousin with whom he had a lifelong bond, Alan Crocker of Presque Isle; He will also be missed by his special hunting friend and father-in-law, Eugene Lauzon and his wife, Gloria, of Bennington, Vt. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at the Brewster Funeral Home in Manchester, Vt. Joint funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. at the Zion Episcopal Church, in Manchester, Vt. A graveside service of committal will follow in the South Village Cemetery in East Dorset. Family and friends are invited back to the church following graveside services, to share stories and celebrate the lives of Michael and Danielle. People may contribute in their memory, to the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Shaftsbury, Vt. or The Big Brother, Big Sister program care of Brewster Funeral Service P.O. Box 885 Manchester, Vt. 05255 For directions or to send the family email condolences please consult www.sheafuneralhomes.com
MICHAEL EDWARD O’BRIEN
