OBITUARY

Michael James Hamrock

February 13, 1956 – December 30, 2020

Michael James Hamrock passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2020, at his home in San Francisco. He was born on February 13, 1956 in San Francisco. His younger years were as you might expect: he was an instant friend to everyone he met, he was always up for an adventure, and he truly thought that Willie Mays should be mayor. Mike passed away at 64, but if you’ve ever compared stories with him about the amazing music and baseball he had seen, or the wild adventures he’d been on with his countless buddies, you might have thought he lived to be 164. He went to just about every show there was; from the Dead to the Stones, from obscure artists to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, he even swore he kept the Marshalls from falling off the stage for Jimi Hendrix in the Panhandle. He had the GREATEST stories. Mike knew everything about baseball, especially his San Francisco Giants. He cheered through freezing nights at Candlestick and was more excited than anyone to celebrate World Series domination at AT&T Park - he was the giantest of all Giants fans. Mike’s wilder days slowed down on the last Saturday in 1985, when he met his match (and his favorite person on earth), his wife Karen. Love does crazy things to us all, and for Mike, it was the craziest; he settled down and became a husband, a (first-time!) checking account holder and an ever-patient stepdad to Melanie. He was their favorite fixer - from toasters to sad hearts, Mike could fix it all! He worked at Buildings and Grounds for the San Francisco Unified School District for over 35 years, and loved this time working with his best friends and keeping kids safe. He spent his off-time taking walks with his closest friend (and fabulous herding dog) Tommie in Golden Gate Park, traveling to music festivals with his siblings and nieces, Steve, Cathy, Dianne, Gene Caitlin and Geri, and teaching his grandsons Wyatt and Owen everything there is to know about Blues and baseball. Mike will be forever loved by those he leaves behind: wife Karen, stepdaughter Melanie, son-in-law Jason, grandsons Wyatt and Owen, brother Steve Hamrock, sister-in-law Cathy Ryan, niece Caitlin Hamrock, sister Dianne and brother-in-law Gene Naber. Mike is predeceased by his beloved niece Geri, Dad David and Mom Margaret. We hope you’ll all live life like Mike, with incredible generosity, love, and, of course, SAFETY. No candles, and go check your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers! In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization that was close to Mike’s heart: the SF Marin Food Bank.

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Michael James Hamrock

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David Jensen

January 28, 2021

Yes, it’s tough typing through tears...but Mikey would appreciate the alliteration...losing love lamenting...and the Herb Caen punctuation...Mike was my Music Man...my Fellow Brewpub Researcher...my Union Brother...my Blood Brother...

Mark was right...Mike could never say anything bad about anybody...and I assure you that Union Negotiations had some bad behavior...

Mike was the most laid-back, easy-going companion I ever had...he never had an agenda...I’m missing my Researcher every day...

Kaden Kratzer

January 20, 2021

Mike was a gentle and caring individual. The world is definitely a less friendlier place without him. Many of us were glad to have known him through his Union activities and commitment to the cause and his co-workers. Not at all surprised to see that Mike had so many wonderful friends in his like. He shall be greatly missed.

May he rest in power.
Kaden Kratzer, SEIU Local 1021 Education Team Field Director

John Cragen

January 20, 2021

Mike was friends with my older brothers Chris & Bob, and while growing up on 6th Ave, I always looked at Mike as a member of the family. My oldest memories of him are his walking down the street with his long blond hair, beanie cap and P-Coat, sporting the widest grim one could imagine. He’d always give me a quarter to go buy a candy bar at the store. Nobody else was like that...Just good to the core. He helped me through the passing of my brother - his friend - Bob, like a fellow sibling, and stayed friends forever afterwards. I love this picture of him because the last time I saw him was last season at a Giants game, sitting upstairs and talking baseball. Rest easy, Mike. Flights of Angels pick you up, and may you be there to welcome all who loved you here. Miss you, brother.

Steve Hamrock

January 16, 2021

Mike was my brother and my friend my whole life. He was an inspiration to me and a comrade on more adventures than I can count It’s hard to think about missing a person who you’ve known all of your life, but I’m so thankful that we had him for so long. I’m sure he has eased into the next world with the same grace that carried him though this one. I love you Mike.

Jim Reil

January 15, 2021

Mike,
when I found out about your passing, I was deeply saddened and shocked. I just sat there and wept. You were such a Great person and friend throughout the years and will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing you. Whether we were hanging out at a Giants game or going to the many concerts, I always enjoyed your company and your friendship. Ever since I was first introduced to you by Brusier and we became Season ticket holders for the Giants, a Big friendship developed between us. We shared a lot of the same types of music, Bromberg, Hot Tuna and one of my favorite shows, John McLaughlin & Jimmy Herring at the Warfield. We raved about it years later. So Mike, I’ll be holding a place in my heart and in my memories for you to the time we meet up again.
Love you Mike, Peace

Kurt Cybulski

January 15, 2021

Each Thanksgiving, I made a happily anticipated trek from Boston to San Francisco to spend two wonderful weeks with my brother in law Mike and Sister Karen. Hopefully Melanie Jason Wyatt and Owen would be in town so that there would be a grand get-together on Seal Rock Ave..

I'm not able to get around the city on my own safely and I spend a lot of time watching TV in Mike and Karen's sunny colorful living room. With Mike having retired I had the opportunity to select which cable program on the TV we were going to watch with Tommie alongside doing guard duty and sunning herself in the window or occasionally interrupting us to play ball [not allowed in the house].
Mike and I seemed to like the same type of programs. He loved the Marvel comics series on Netflix just as much as I did. Some of the Netflix programs I started in Boston and wanted to continue with Mike out there. I was all too willing to start over again for Mike and he (and Karen also when she got home from work and could manage to stay awake) seemed to enjoy those too.
Often after TV, we'd take a walk up Noriega to get coffee and have a chat. Sometimes we were running an errand for Karen. Sometimes Mike would buy some flowers for Karen while we were in Gus's. All in all spending the day with my brother in law Mike and my dog-niece Tommie always made for a great day. I really loved Mike, he was a great buddy. I'm so thankful that Karen found him and invited him to be a member of our family. I'll have great memories of Mike, I'll miss you as long as I'm around to miss someone.

Christopher Ochoa

January 12, 2021

The world is lesser place without you Mike. Rest in Peace.
Chris O.

Mark Konings

January 11, 2021

Mike was one of those rare individuals who respected everyone, was kind to everyone, never said anything bad about anyone and was loved by all. I met Mike on July 4, 1986 (see photo from Ed Rutter) and we had hundreds of memories together, usually focused around music. So many great times at Grateful Dead shows, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and New Orleans Jazz Fest music festivals. Along the way we had so many wonderful meals together and may have shared a couple beers, too. He will be missed and never forgotten.

Stephanie Patton

January 11, 2021

Good times

karen hamrock

January 10, 2021

FROM THE FAMILY