Michael M. Amaro

“Anything is possible.” That is what Michael M. Amaro 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 as a child by taking things apart and rebuilding them. 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 May 23, 1979 at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, California. His parents were Margie Tadwilliams and Mariano Amaro. Michael was raised in Riverside, 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 as an only child and later in life he had three sisters and two brothers. He had two younger sister, Desiree and Brittany Tadwilliams, an older sister Bree Hightower, a younger brother Zachary Amaro and an older brother Marcus Taddwilliams. 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. Michael took part in baseball from the age of 5 to 13, and football. He also enjoyed Tae Kwon Do. In his spare time he liked playing with his dog, playing baseball and football with his friends in the neighborhood in the middle of the street. Michael's memorable achievements included receiving a Story Hour Diploma for his reading skills at the age of 5, Bachelor of Rhymes at the age of 6, lettered in football at Bethal Christian Middle school. His love for music lead him to play the saxophone. He played in several recitals with his three grandma's present.

      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 enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was history and art. He will be remembered by his classmates for his loyalty to his friends, his outgoing personality and his charm towards the girls.

      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 Gabriel, Froggy, Esteban, Eddie, Rodney, David, Carlos, Robert and cousin Joey. Later in life, he became friends with Robert Orozco, Carlos Hernandez, Luis Ibarra and continued life long friendship with Esteban Enriquez. Had a special friendship with neighbors Gabriel and Delilah Parra and her brother Eric.

      On September 21, 2007 Michael exchanged wedding vows with Elisa Ortiz at Riverside County Clerk's Office which ended in divorced in July 2010. 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 very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Elisa'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 five children; three sons, Anthony, Lil Michael and Isaiah and two daughters, Liana and Isabella whom he loved so much. His dream was to have a big family. 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 someone else if needed. His primary occupation was a Dad; this was his life dream. He wanted to have children he could love and care for. He was employed for McDonald's in his youth and worked in construction as a young man. He also worked at Albertson's. He learned the importance of working and enjoyed working. 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 dancing, music, playing video games, hunting, going to shooting range, collecting swords, guns and knives and fixing up his truck. He also was a history buff and enjoyed in depth discussions with his sister Desiree on this topic. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Michael loved to argue for argument’s sake.

      Michael's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, Michael favorite sport was hooking up with girls. Recreational sports included baseball and working out at the gym. Michael was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were ultimate fighting, baseball, football and basketball.

      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 Chicano Club.

      Faith and religion were important to Michael. Especially when debating the word of God. He attended as a child and come on special occasions as an adult the Church of God of Prophecy in Riverside, CA. During that time, he was attended summer camps, youth activities and joined his mom to all church functions.

      With all of his talents, his ingenuity, his solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Michael received public recognition for his competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Michael accumulated a long list of achievements throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included 1st Place in Ribbon Art Contest and Third Place for his Outstanding Art Ability for Best Ribbon Design at the age of 17.

      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 grandpa Felix and grandma June Garcia in Tennessee during Christmas every year and during summer break, hunting, attending gun shows with his Tio Levi in Tennessee. Also enjoyed family camping trips with grandpa Margie and family snow trips in the mountains. The trip to Colorado with mom when they drove in the snow through a blizzard. He loved the outdoors. He also enjoyed his trip to Hawaii.

      Michael was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Michael's favorites pets was Donna, a pit bull. One of his dream jobs was to be a veterinarian. His family was rounded out by his many dogs (Pit Bulls, Great Dane, Chow and German Shepard), and gold fish.

      Michael passed away on September 15, 2013 at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California. Michael died in a vehicle accident. He is survived by his mother Margie and step father Fernando Tadwilliams, biological father Mariano Amaro; his sister Desiree, Bree and Brittany; his brother Marcus; his children Liana, Anthony, Michael, Isaiah and Isabella. Services were held at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer. Michael was laid to rest in his mother's residence in Riverside, 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 M. Amaro, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

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Michael M. Amaro, born on May 23, 1979 in Fontana, California, passed away on September 15, 2013. Michael will have a viewing starting at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 19, 2013 with a service to follow at 11:00 A.M. at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary in Riverside, California.