Michael R. Pacheco

      “Anything is possible.” That is what Michael R. Pacheco believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Michael thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Michael was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

      Michael was born on July 2, 1952 at Alameda Hospital in Alameda, California. His parents were Ray and Luz. Michael was raised in Oakland, California. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Michael could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Michael's family relationships. Michael was raised with two siblings. He had one older brother, Ray, and another younger brother named Ralph. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Michael was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young boy, Michael could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. He especially enjoyed using his skills and knowledge in the real estate market. He would buy homes and prepare them for resale or rental. Michael took part in football, baseball, and basketball. He was also a scout.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Michael enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Michael was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Oakland Tech. In 1970. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. He was nicknamed "brains" for his outstanding academic achievement.

      It was because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Michael performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. He attended both Stanford and U.C. Berkeley. His favorite courses were mathematics. It was during his years in college that he protested the Vietman War.

      Michael was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends' activities and interests, Michael was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Michael to be very stimulating company. Michael's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were the Simpson brothers.

       Michael was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Michael was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Michael was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse's needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Heather. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Michael loved to argue for argument's sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others' feelings, especially regarding Heather's.

      Michael's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Michael was blessed with one, Raymond. Someone who was quick to laugh, Michael found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

      As a born inventor, Michael was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Michael was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Michael was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was produce management. He was employed for 25 years at Safeway. Michael always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Michael's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Michael was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Michael simply couldn't be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were sailing, fishing, and watching classic movies.

      Michael's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, Michael played crew. Michael was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were NFL Football, the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers.

      Michael's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Michael could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and problem solving strategies. In high school, Michael was a member of the crew team.

      Faith and religion were important to Michael. He was Catholic.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Michael. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Michael to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included visiting relatives in Mexico, Cancun and a Mexican Riviera cruise.

      Michael was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. He loved dogs and had many, including Cannela, Elizabeth, and Leo.

      Even while in retirement, Michael never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. Even in retirement, Michael continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      Michael passed away on February 10, 2008 at home in Oakland, California due to liver failure. He is survived by his mother Luz, brothers Raymond and Ralph, and son Raymond. Services were held at Saint Leanders Church. Michael was laid to rest in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Hayward California.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Michael. He met the words “it can't be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Michael was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Michael, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Michael R. Pacheco, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.