You will be missed greatly grandpa... from teaching me proper work ethic on your ranches to teaching me how to bait my first hook fishing we all love and miss you very much....❤️

What can I say? Uncle Mike was the best. I learned to ride a bicycle on his ranch and rode my first horse there. His kids, my cousins and I played in the hay barns there for hours and hours. Us kids loved going out to visit. Some of my best childhood memories were spent around the San Miguel ranch that he worked and cared for for decades.

R.I.P. Uncle Mike, you were the best. Never forgotten!

Love is shared in many ways and sometimes it’s right in front of you and you don’t even know it. Michael, I don’t know where to begin but I’ll definitely start here. When I first met you as I walked through your door, you greeted me with a smile that money could never buy. One of the first things you asked me was, who’s my favorite football team and I said the Oakland Raiders and we hit off right then and there. One day you asked me if there was dog poop in the back yard so I went and checked and yes there was dog poop. I came back and you asked if the pooper scooper was broken, i said let me check. I came back and said it’s not broken and you asked me if it still works, and I couldn’t stop laughing because the whole time you were hinting me to clean up the poop, you tricked me and I didn’t even know it. I’ll never forget the priceless stories you shared with me, growing up on the ranch, meeting players from the Oakland Raiders and training championship horses. I truly admire the love and passion that you had for the love of what you’ve done. We shared lotto ticket stories, Kentucky derby stories and my experience of going to the San Francisco Giants World Series in 2014 and how happy you were for me. A side note, My wife Tonia “your granddaughter”, always gave me a hard time for smoking cigarettes, but when we went to grandpas house she never gave me a hard time. I’ll always remember when we were spending time with you I’ve never seen Tonia as happy as she was when we were with you and grandma, it was like if time stood still for those hours spent with the both of you. I remember when you held your grandson Wyatt, you looked him in his eyes and I knew you loved him before you even met him. Tonia never wanted leave for the night, and when she said goodbye papa, there was always “I’ll see you soon. You have a heart of gold Michael, and love shared with so many. I’ll tell your great grandson Wyatt our stories, we will laugh and I hope to be as great as a man as you have been. I love ya Michael, I’ll see ya soon.

Michael was a very honest, loving, simple man. He was hard working, loyal, generous and dependable.

Michael taught me many life lessons in a very caring and encouraging way ....teaching by example.

Being in my life for 65 of my 74 years he lovingly helped me become the person I am today.

I don't know if I ever thanked him properly for all the encouragement and love he gave me and for always having my back.

As I grew older and walked my own path of life, anytime I called to say "hi" or just check in her would ask "how are things going? If things are getting too hard just pack up and move over here ... doors always open ... we'll figure it out." As a single parent, for many years, this was the greatest gift. He was my safety net. My encourager.

Michael left me with a book overflowing with memories. Many a summer day spent listening to the Giants play baseball or his beloved horse races. Cleaning stalls, laying irrigation sprinkler pipe (to keep them pastures green) watering, weeding and maintaining his hugh vegetable gardens (the best tomatoes, cucumbers and corn I have ever eaten. .) Collecting eggs or painting fences, water fights at the barn (which he started), long running gin rummy games under the big shade tree. Swimming at the Russian River or fishing at the fish quarry or even a quick run to the dump. He made everything an adventure. For me being a city girl 8 months of the years being on the ranch was a dream come true. Michael snowed me how to appreciate the simple things in life.

How do you say good bye to someone who has been such a large part of your life?

You leave behind a book overflowing with memories to comfort me.

May you rest in peace in the arms of angles; knowing you lived a good life ... a life well lived.

Love you always your sister-in-law. Frannie

my great grandfather was one of a kind. he was my best friend growing up, always taking me to work with him letting me help him on the horse ranch, and always took me out to ride the golf cart. always talking me to the park, or safari west. i was his world, and he made sure i knew it. when i was four i had kidney surgery, my only memory of that whole experience was asking for my papa afterwards, he was a safe place for me. a happy place, my home. he and my great grandmother raised me, and made me who i am today. i am beyond grateful he was able to meet my children, his great grandchildren. my oldest son adored his papa, would go straight to his room anytime we would visit. i was lucky to have you in my life for over 24 years, but in all honesty it wasn’t enough time. i miss you so much already, i love you until my last breath papa i can’t wait to see you again.

Thank you for loving me and cherishing me like no other. We shared a bond that could compare to nobody else. I loved spending my days with you at the ranch, riding the golf cart and feeding the horses, taking naps in the barn. You took me to the park as often as possible, I remember walking around the block together and stealing all the balls in the neighborhood, we were partners in crime. Spending my days with you and my nonna were some of my favorite, and most impacting.

You took me in without hesitation, and loved me unconditionally no matter how much of an ass I could be. I was grateful to have had you for so long, and even more so for the fact you met my children, your great great grandchildren. I am so glad I was able to name my son after you, and for you to know that. I will make sure these two know everything there is to know about the man you were and the love and goofiness you spread through our lives. I was not prepared to lose you, I don’t think I ever would’ve been. I wish I had more time with you papa, 24 years seems long enough but it was no where near enough time. Pet my Titus dog for me. Save me a spot next to you, I love you forever and I’ll miss you for always.

Mike loved a good joke, hearing one or telling one but he was also kind and caring. His family was his world. A special man who touched everyone who knew him.

DAD.

I love you and a day won’t go by that I don’t think about you. All the wonderful memories we made. You provided me with the most loving, caring, Supportive, fun life with surprises around every corner. I can't begin to tell you how much I will miss you. You were the back bone of this family. I never wanted for anything you made sure we had everything we needed and so much more. I loved the years at the Ranch every day was an adventure with you, from our Sunday drive to Egg Basket to get gas for the work truck (I can still smell the gas) to watching me ride my horse till the bus picked me up and the time I competed at Squaw Valley the proud look on your face will be etched in my mind forever. Then I got married the jokes and pranks you pulled on poor Fred, like telling my soon to be husband that you would pay for the annulment, well Dad here we are 40 years later and still married you taught me the value of marriage. And then again later in life our Tuesdays night dinner and a movie (oak Island). We really enjoyed those Tuesday nights together. I could go on and on but you and I know all the great times we had. I will cherish every memory until we meet again.

I love You.

Renee ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I would like to be able to share a memory of my grandfather but fact of the matter is I cannot nail down to just one. He was a great man, the best grandfather I could have asked for. He afforded me a childhood experience not many my generation could imagine to experience growing up on a horse ranch, with countless animals and just every little thing that goes along with that kind of life. And then, into adulthood always being there for me, and helping me raise my daughter when I wasn’t able to. He was a great man a great human being definitely cut from a different cloth. I will love you always Papa,

I love you papa.

Michael's impact on young lives was Immeasursble. I had the privilege of growing up under his fatherly guidance and care. Welcoming me into his home was the beginning of a lasting bond.

For many years, Michael embraced the role of a father figure, offering comfort, guidance, and unconditional love. His sincere love and generosity left an indelible mark in my heart,

Michael's kind heart was evident in his interactions with others, always ready to lend a helping hand or offer a supportive word. His warm smile, gentle spirit, and compassionate nature never failed to make those around him feel welcomed and cherished.

I will always remember, his exceptional character, his passion for horses, and his ability to embrace others as family. The impact he made on those who had the privilege of knowing him will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace,, knowing that your memory will forever live on in our hesrt's.