Mike Crespillo

Mike was born in Loomis, CA on December 24, 1928 to Frank & Katherine Crespillo. He grew up in a very modest and fun loving family with his siblings, Frank, Mary, Tony, Isabelle, Jeannie, Eugenia, & Joe.

His love of gardening started at an early age. He helped his father with the family nursery & picked prunes every summer. In fact, he always started school late because of his work in various orchards. Many times he joked with Linda and the girls that he would show them how much fun it was to pick prunes. Thankfully, that never happened.

Immediately following high school graduation, Mike went to work for Pacific Gas & Electric. He then enlisted in the Army where he attended basic training at Fort Ord, in Monterey CA. After training, he was sent to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii with the 25th Infantry Division. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to the Korean war. It was in Korea where he served the remainder of his Army Career and then received an honorable discharge.

After the Army, Mike went back to work for Pacific, Gas, & Electric. He worked for 36 years until retiring in 1984. Mike traveled with P.G. & E. to San Francisco, Eureka and other parts of California for many years. Later, he was able to get into the Drum Division in Roseville, CA keeping close to his beloved family. What a blessing!

In 1964, Mike married Linda Ballard. They had two daughters Kim, & Kathy (Kak) as Mike nicknamed her. For many years, they loaded up the yellow Datsun truck and tent trailer and headed for many faraway places. Some of those great places included Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Disneyland, and many miles of Minnesota farmland. Many long summer nights were spent swimming in the Dough Boy pool and hanging out at their home with many animals. In 1968, Mike and Linda purchased land from his parents where he built his adobe house with his brother Frank, best friend Don, and other friends. He lived out the next 52 years in the same house, which also happened to be only 1 mile from the home he was born in. Mike was an avid gardener and reader. He loved working with dirt and spent many hours a day tending to his bountiful garden. He planted enough food to feed an Army. It was a joy for him to share tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, gourds, corn, beans, and tomatillos with friends & family. Another joy for Mike was his three grandchildren Madison, Nicholas, and Kaitlyn. He loved watching all of them play soccer, or any sport for that matter. They were the love of his life.

In his younger years, he loved to ski & golf with his best friend, Don or his brother Frank. They could always be seen together working on jobs or laughing at some past prank they played when they were younger. He enjoyed golf, traveling, spending time with family & friends or teaching the grandkids how to play Rawhide, Cribbage, or other card games. His little dog Mia was first a surprise gift to his wife. Later, it became a trusted companion and joy; a constant lap partner to help watch soccer games.

The Friday nights helping care for the Phillips Clan (Matthew and triplets, Ray, Shannon, & Robert) brought a magical joy to him. He loved them and considered them his first grandchildren.

Things we will miss most about Mike: whistling, his laugh, the twinkle in his eye, sense of fairness, fun sense of humor, unbelievable work ethic, ability to always help with any job no matter how big or small, wearing his San Francisco football gear, always having candy (fire balls & tootsie rolls) in his pockets, seeing him in his baseball caps, the smell of “Old Spice”, or the knuckles goodbye with a saying of “after a while crocodile”.

Mike was a loyal and honorable man. His words mattered and he never spoke ill of anyone. He was always willing to help someone. There are no words to sum up a man of this quality. Mike used to say, “A man is only as good as his word”. Well, Mike was a good man and his word was like gold. You could always count on it.

A true testament to Mike’s loyalty were some treasured friendships. Army buddy, Ray Escott & wife, Lorene, 71 years. Best man at his wedding, Don Heldt & wife, Sharon, 68 years. P.G. & E. friend, Bart Reynolds, & wife, Rita, 63 years.

Mike is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda, daughters, Kim (Matt) & Kathy,

grandchildren, Madison Rylee Leonard, PFC Nicholas Matthew Leonard, & Kaitlyn Cheyanne Flynn. His sister Isabelle and brother Joe (Marguerite), sister-in- law Pat, and ex son-in-law Woody Flynn. Mike is survived by numerous nieces, nephews & cousins, too many to count. Extended grandchildren, Matthew, Raymond (Brittney), Shannon (Steve), Robert (Sarah), and great-grands Raymond & Steven.

A special thank you to Mike’s caregivers, Tina & Thomas for their help, love, & support to Mike & our family. This past month Kaiser Hospice was incredibly helpful for overseeing & caring for Mike. Thank you to Nurse Janice R.N., Donna & Crystal for your help. It was greatly appreciated.

A HUGE thank you to Linda. Her incredible care and love throughout his life, but especially the last years, helped him finish an incredible and full life always surrounded by the ones he loved.

In memory of Mike Crespillo.

The Crespillo family will be celebrating his life at Lambert Funeral Home in Roseville, CA on September 2nd at 10 am. All who loved Mike are welcome to join in his memory. If you are unable to attend in person and would still like to join in the celebration of Mike's life, please use the following zoom link to attend.

Zoom Link for Mike Crespillo Memorial

September 2, 2021

10:00 am

Invite Link: https://calpoly.zoom.us/j/86478460498

Meeting ID: 864 7846 0498

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LambertFuneral.com for the Crespillo family.