Mitchell Christian Motu

7/2/1954 - 7/22/2014

Mitch was born and raised in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. His parents were Rev. and Mrs. Ilie Motu. He was the oldest of three, with a brother Nicholas and a sister Eleanora. He was an active child who loved school, sports and music. His family was very involved in their family Church, Mitch being an altar boy for many years. His family was also active in their Romanian community, and facilitated Romanian refugees coming to the United States. Often times Mitch and his siblings would give up their own beds to provide a warm haven to a refugee. In high school Mitch was an excellent student who continued to participate in sports and music. He enjoyed long-distance running and playing the violin and trombone in his school's orchestras. Mitch went on to the College of St. Thomas after high school where he obtained a premed biology degree. To pay for his college education Mitch traveled every summer to the Alaskan King crab fisheries. There he worked very long hours with some adventurous and nefarious people in the Alaskan wild. After college he remained in Alaska for one year.

Mitch then began a long and successful career in insurance safety and consulting. His career began with St. Paul companies in the Twin Cities area. He was transferred to Portland Oregon, then to the California bay area, and subsequently to Southern California. Here he met his future wife Leslie. Shortly after their wedding in 1987 they were transferred to Denver Colorado. Mitch and Leslie thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors of Colorado and made many friends. At this time they had the great joy of welcoming their sons Ted and Mitch Jr. into their lives. They then traveled to Atlanta Georgia to begin Mitch's career with Marsh. In Georgia they welcomed into their lives their daughter Christina. They spent a brief time enjoying Southern hospitality, and were then transferred again. They were fortunate enough to be transferred back to the Southern California area to raise their children with Leslie's extended family. Mitch's career with Marsh flourished during this time. He thoroughly enjoyed every day of work. He had the opportunity to work with some of the most interesting clients, including but not limited to Toyota and their Toyota vehicle test track, Northrop Grumman, the Olympics, the Oscars, and many Super Bowl halftime experiences. He truly enjoyed helping others through his expertise. More importantly than the clients he worked with, he met and worked with some of the most professional and supportive people. He has made lifelong friends, over the span of his career. He was a dedicated Marsh employee until the very end of his life.

The most important thing to Mitch was his family. He was dedicated and committed to his wife Leslie and their children every day of his life. As passionate as he was about his career, he was even more passionate about participating in the lives of his children. He consistently attended every event imaginable that they experienced. His favorite times were attending school activities, sporting events and scouting events. Mitch was always an adventurous person throughout his life, and was able to continue in that spirit through Boy Scout high-adventure treks, with his sons. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout as a young person, made him want the same for his sons. And so he was overjoyed when his sons matched that honor. It was of utmost importance to Mitch that his children obtained college degrees. Even though he was very ill he was able to attend his sons' graduation ceremonies at the University of California Irvine. He knows in his heart, that his daughter Christina will continue her studies at the University of San Diego. He has been an excellent role model for his children, as a dedicated, hard working and honest man.

In the last year and a half Mitch has been battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It has been during this time that he has shown strength, courage and has been truly inspirational. Throughout this battle he has continued his dedication to his family and his career. He found comfort in everyone around him, but especially through his relationship with the Lord. During his many stays in the hospital he had an opportunity to reflect upon his life, and had no regrets. At the time of his passing he was at peace with the Lord, and was looking forward to his everlasting life in heaven. He will be missed by us all.

Mitch would want to thank everyone that has participated in his life and enriched his journey. He would want everyone to think about the daily joys in life, and to remember that the most important thing is to love and support one another.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Pacific View Mortuary Chapel.

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.