Michael A O'Brien

January 27, 1947 - March 19, 2016

O’Brien, Michael Albert Jan. 27, 1947 Mar. 19, 2016. Michael (Mike) Albert O’Brien, 69, of Newberg passed away on March 19, 2016 after a battle with cancer. He was born January 27, 1947 in Tacoma, Washington, the son of James and Ruth O’Brien (both deceased). He was raised in Tacoma and attended Mt. Tahoma High School, Central Washington University and Chapman College from which he graduated in 1980 with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. For 49 years he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Rosanne O’Brien. He joined the US Navy after high school and served in the Vietnam War. He developed an interest in police work while in the Navy and went on to work for the US Marshalls Service. His work with the Marshalls Service involved relocating Rosanne and his family to various parts of the country. They lived in Washington, Tennessee, Florida, and eventually settled in Oregon. The most satisfying moment in his career was leading the team of Marshalls responsible for the capture of one of the country’s top fugitives – Christopher Boyce, convicted of selling national secrets to the Russians and known as “The Falcon” of “The Falcon and the Snowman.”During his time as Chief Deputy of the Marshalls Service in Oregon, he held the highest US Marshall title position. He took great pride in working with a team in the design and construction of the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse. After Mike’s retirement from the Marshalls Service in 1998, he served as a mediator and worked in various safety and security positions, including Director of Community Safety at Reed College in Portland. Mike enjoyed riding his motorcycles and spending time with Rosanne, their children and their grandchildren. He was an active member of the Catholic Church. He volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and traveled to Medjugorjeon a pilgrimage.His family and friends will remember him for his generosity, compassion and his enduring faith.Mike is survived by his wife Rosanne O’Brien; sister, Sharon Lawless; children, James O’Brien, Deanna Gieber, and Brian O’Brien; and grandchildren, Isabella, Grace and Caitlin O’Brien, Sierra and JordynGieber, and ShaeLynn, Caleb and Morgan O’Brien. Their son Aaron O’Brien preceded him in death. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Newberg on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Visit www.attrells.com for detailed service information.