Michael "Greg" Alvarado

Today we are here to celebrate the life of Michael Gregory Alvarado. A beloved son, brother, husband, and friend. Greg lived life to the fullest every day, and a list of qualities and remembrances of him could fill many pages. Here are but a few.

Greg loved his quirky Bruce Lee, Urban Cowboy, and boring old western movies.

He had such a passion for history, and was educated on politics and world events. An avid newspaper and magazine reader from a young age, which continued throughout his life; his beloved wife always said he was a news surfer.

Greg’s love for music was one of the things that brought him and Jennifer together, and he introduced friends and family to many of the bands and artists that became their favorites.

The love, love, love of his friends was an enormous part Greg’s life. His big personality and gregarious presence drew people. He had lifelong friends of 30 plus years, and strong enduring friendships made in more recent years.

Everyone knew of Greg’s love of sports, in particular the Raiders, Lakers, and Dodgers. He also loved soccer, and well, you name it, he watched it. Jennifer recalls a time she remembers him even watching rugby.

He was so, so goofy the way he played with the nieces and nephews. The love and silliness Greg had with his daughter, Rylie. The songs he would sing to her. Greg would sing so loud in the car and say he couldn’t sing. According to Jen, his voice wasn’t too shabby. Jennifer described his crazy dancing that, “consisted of accidental head butts and stepping on toes, watch out!”

Greg’s ‘fluent’ Spanish when his family would go out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. (Fluent as in, he thought he was fluent) Jennifer remembers the way he would watch the Spanish station on TV and translate for her. Jennifer recalls driving to the beach, Greg would see a certain rock formation and yell, “There’s my rock!” He had a fascination with rocks and Jennifer says, “His love for the desert was the one thing we didn’t have in common.”

Anyone who knew Greg, would appreciate that he was a consummate story teller. He loved to regale friends, family, and just about anyone else with tales both great and small. He had a great ability to embellish, which only served to endear him to us all the more.

And finally, Greg lived for his wife Jennifer, son Ian, and daughter Rylie. He loved them with all of his heart, and was so very proud of them all.

A Message to Greg from his beloved wife, Jennifer:

My love, my life. Always so full of life and full of CRAP!! You always knew the right thing to say to make me laugh. Then you would say, “I make you laugh, don’t I?”.

You were the one, the first one, to tell me to call myself an artist! Your support and confidence in me. You said, “You’re so modest,” when I said, “No, I’m not an artist. I can’t draw or paint like that.” He said, “You can draw that better.” I could go on and on, but most of all, I am thankful you came into my life and God blessed me with you.