John P. O'Brien
 a celebration of life
 

“I swore I’d never go into this business!” John P. O’Brien exclaimed. It was a youthful statement and a perfectly natural one. However, it was not made with a negative tone in any way, it’s just that our calling sometimes chooses us, and for the most part, it ends up better that way in the end.

As an owner of the O’Brien / Sullivan Funeral Home in Novi (WEBSITE), he has just completed his 20th year of helping people during a difficult time, and providing useful timely information, designed to make the funeral experience a memorable, honorable event.

“We celebrate peoples lives,” John stated. “As hard as it may be, when someone has suffered loss, it’s important to celebrate and honor their life with family, friends and associates.”

John P. O’Brien is a genuine Michigan native. After graduating from St. Mary's High School in Redford, he attended Western Michigan University and earned a B.S. in Social Work. And after spending time in that profession, he had the option of returning to school to obtain a Masters in Social Work, but instead opted for the Mortuary Science Program at Wayne State University.

John P. O’Brien had worked as a kid in the family business… you know, things like shoveling snow, washing cars, cutting grass. These are perfect jobs for a 14-year old. But as an adult, he also looked inward and thought it would be a good idea to give the business a try for real. He made the commitment to himself that he would give it 5 years.

That was 1984. Twenty-plus years later, he has helped countless families during a terrible time. And although emotions run high, his calm demeanor and multitude of information help people with all the options including ceremony type, visitation, church involvement, multi-media presentations, and of course the best ways to memorialize the life of a loved one that has passed.

In addition, he's managed to keep active in the community with Novi Youth Assistance, Wixom Parks and Recreation, St. James Church, and the Novi Rotary Club.

“If there is one thing this profession has taught me, it’s to stay in the moment,” he added. “Life is short, even if you live to be 100, life is short.”

Toward that end, we learn that even though life is celebrated by friends and family when they pay their last respects, life should be celebrated every day. These are not empty words. This is not trite phraseology. The truth is, nobody lives forever, and when our time is up, we need to reach out to professionals that can help with closure, keeping things in perspective, and celebrating lives that touched those around them for decades.

John P. O’Brien knows this as well if not better than anyone. He lives it, he works it, and he passes on his wisdom to those in need.

Life is short, even if you live to be 100. When it is over, it deserves to be celebrated.

Sometimes our calling chooses us.

John P. O’Brien has made the most of it.