Dennis Michael O'Brien

Dennis (Michael) O'Brien, a cherished father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully on August 19th, 2024, at the Veterans Home of Chula Vista. Born on June 2, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, Michael left a legacy of God's love and grace. 

As the owner of Forest Nurseries in Los Angeles, CA, with his siblings, and the owner of O'Brien's Wholesale Nursery in Pala-Temecula, CA, with his family, he grew thousands of trees and plants. For years, he worked alongside his brother Patrick O'Brien and nephew David O'Brien at Forest Nurseries in Los Osos, CA, which was a very special home to him. The words of his mother, Verna, "Let my trees be my recording," echo for him and his brothers. In addition to his horticulture service, from 1957 to 1962 Michael honorably served as a senior airman of the United States Air Force, working as an aircraft pneudraulic repairman, stationed in Germany. 

Michael is survived by his beloved children, Cynthia Holton, Shaun O'Brien, and Heather Ryan, who will carry forward his legacy of hard work, love, and humor. He is survived by grandchildren Timothy Holton, Kathleen Holton, Aidan Deschene, Kieran O'Brien, Declan O'Brien, Mary Ryan, Eamonn Ryan, Conlan Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan, and Malcolm Ryan. He is also survived by sister-in-law Aldyth O'Brien and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

He will be remembered as one who wholehearted loved his family, as well as his lord Jesus Christ, and also as one who found solace in nature. He leaves his loved ones fond memories of walking the nursery, working with him on truck engines, planting trees, hiking trails for native plants, foraging, searching hillsides for fossils, walking the beach, and visiting shell and gem shops. He enjoyed cooking, whether homemade stew for neighboring/stray pets, or meals for his kids, their friends, or whoever may have showed up at his door. He loved going for fish and chips, looking at Kinkade paintings, shopping for knickknacks, thrifting, and antiquing. Those who lived at a distance fondly hold memories of him mailing photos of teddy bears, which he would take with him to special locations as a way of sharing life with them. It was often said of him, "He would give the shirt off his back," and though he joked that he worked with plants because they don't talk back, he could touch an individual's heart with a single conversation—even as he neared death, people walked out of his room with eyes glazed over, not with tears of sympathy for him but because he had reached a deep part of their soul. 

He was predeceased by his parents, James and Verna O'Brien, his brothers, Jack O'Brien, Jim O'Brien, and Patrick O'Brien, and his wife Joyce O'Brien. Their memories will remain cherished by his family.

As we remember Dennis Michael O'Brien, we celebrate a life well-lived, with gratitude for all the hearts he touched along the way. His contributions to his family, friends, loved ones, and nature will forever be honored and remembered.

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