Brian Patrick O'Melia

He grew up with his parents and older brother, Mark O'Melia in Milan, IL. The O'Melia boys had a paper route together and enjoyed attending Rock Island High School. There Brian founded the Rock Island High School Bicycle Club, was a Junior Rotarian, member of the National Honor Society and started on the varsity football team. He was on the Rock Island wrestling team and participated in the state wrestling championship his junior year He attended the University of Chicago where he was on the wrestling team.

Brian opened his own bicycle shop, Sunshine Wheels, in Hyde Park, Chicago. There he met his life partner, Sopheary Mam, and they were together for 30 years. They moved near Nederland, CO in 1998. They had two sons, Adam and Austin O'Melia. Brian specialized in Chicago style flat and metal roofs and construction.

Brian loved music and singing. He played the violin, alto sax, and guitar. Sopheary played the drums. On a bike trip in France and Germany with his mother, he entertained with his mouth harp. He learned to ski when he was four years old and loved to ski in the Colorado Mountains.

Brian cheered for the Chicago Bears and the Cubs and became a fan of the Broncos.

He is survived by his wife, Sopheary Mam, his sons Adam and Austin O’Melia, his brother, Mark O'Melia and his parents, Dave and Jeanne O'Melia. He was preceded in Death by his grandparents, Mervin and Helen O'Melia and Harold and Harriet Coulter.

Memorials may be made to the Gilpin County Food Pantry, Colorado.