Obituary
Michael Brierton, 71 yrs old, peacefully passed away on January 26, 2024, in New Bern, NC after a long battle with brain cancer. A loving and dedicated father, Michael is survived by his daughter Julia, son Jack, and sister Patricia.
Michael was born on January 15, 1953 in Chicago, to Wanda and Leo Brierton. Michael was raised in Arlington Heights and graduated from Mount Prospect High School in 1971 with an interest in the world of art and design. He went on to study design and architecture at the prestigious Illinois Institute of Technology. While there he fell in love with all things art, design, and architecture. He studied photography, Chicago architecture, and what would eventually become his life-long passion, graphic design. After graduation, he worked in various graphic design roles until he opened a successful graphic design business that still serves clients to this day. His passion for innovation and art showed through in every aspect of his life and became a guiding light for him. Thanks to his graphic design studio at home, his children never had to worry about acing an art project even if it meant staying up into the late hours of the night to finish it. He continued to photograph, draw, and paint all throughout his life. Many of his family and friends will be surrounded with the art he created and shared throughout his life.
Michael was an avid adventurer and loved to participate in any activity that involved being outdoors. Skiing, Tennis, Biking, Hiking, no activity was out of the question for Michael. He loved to travel and shared this passion with his family and friends. He spent the winters skiing and the summers camping and hiking with his family and friends all across the United States and Europe. A lover of art, every vacation was spent in museums that showcased some of the world’s greatest artists. When you visited a museum or famous architectural building with Michael, there was no need for a tour guide, Michael could teach you about it all. When Michael was in Chicago during the summer, he’d frequently spend it on Lake Michigan on a sailboat. Much of his younger years were spent in sailing competitions traveling from one end of Lake Michigan to the other. Later on in life he moved to New Bern, North Carolina to pursue his love of sailing where he also found a tight knit, loving community.
Michael moved through life with passion, laughter, and dedication. He always had a unique story or witty joke to bring to the conversation that left a lasting impression on anyone he encountered. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy Parish at 1077 Tower Road,. Winnetka, IL 60093. A short reception will follow at 12 pm at Glenview Park Club at 800 Shermer Road, Glenview, IL 60026. All are welcome to attend one or both of these celebrations.
In lieu of flower donations, please consider donating to the nurses at the Hospice center that took such loving care of Michael.
Hock Family Pavilion – Duke Homecare & Hospice – Donate here
Or for a direct donation to Hock Family Pavillion you can call: (919) 620-3853
