Mike was the only son born to Tony and Sally. He had 3 sisters, Adelita, Angela, and Samantha. He was preceded in death by his father, Tony in 2004. When he was born he had a cute crooked little smile that grew on everyone who knew and loved him. Because he always loved and deeply missed his father so much, he grew closer to, and more protective of his immediate family. His sisters doted on him and enjoyed being around him at family events and just hanging out. He earned the nickname "Boy" when he was 4 years old, his sister Angela couldn't pronounce his name. You would always see his sisters Angela and Samantha at his heels. He liked hanging out with Lita and and enjoyed their lengthy conversations. Lita said Mike was so "kind" if I could live to be fifty years old I could never be as kind as Mike was in his short life. Mike had three nieces, Eva, Alexis and Juliana. He was nino to Alexis, age 5 and Julianna age 8. He had a close and loving relationship with all three of his nieces. He could never tell Alexis "no"....even when he was busy he would make time for her. He would take walks with her and snuggle up and watch Disney movies with her. She loved his hugs most of all. Alexis told her Grandma Sally, "Jesus took him because He needed him. He is in heaven with Grandpa Tony". His favorite Disney movie was 'Bambi'. Another one of his favorite movies was 'Casino', and he loved to quote from it. He even called himself "Rothstein" and used that name as his gamer tag name.
Mike's most favorite food was pancakes, When Sally asked him what he wanted for his first birthday he replied cancakes.
Mike was exceptionally close to his (male) cousins. They were like his brothers, they called each other "brother".
Mike loved visiting with Grandma Erma. She loved his big hugs and always felt those hugs were genuinely given from his heart. They were! She loved him deeply and called him her "golden boy", which he enjoyed being called. Their relationship was unique, warm, affectionate and loving. Mike knew from the time he was a little boy how to work his sweet Grandma to get what he wanted. he would throw a fit in the store and do what his mother called, "the curly shuffle". He would say, "I want it, I want it, I want it", and guess what his Grandma would say, "Sally, just get it"! and guess what, Mike would get it!
Stephen was one of Mike's closest friends. Stephen felt very close to Mike's family and felt like it was his own family, he was welcomed and considered a second son and vice versa. Mike loved to ride BMX bikes and then progressed to dirt bikes and then to trucks. His love for riding started when Mike was two years old. He had a little blue bike that he loved. He whacked off the training wheels and taught himself to ride. His love for riding increased through the years. Also, he and Stephen loved dirt bike riding. Mike loved his GT-box and even slept with it on the night he received it, which was one Christmas Day. They rode in hippy fields, horseshoe field, twin palms and four corners. They enjoyed riding and jumping. They would go to Glamis and the hight desert to ride. Mike loved doing tricks and being a daredevil. He tried to be the first to accomplish new feats. Mike loved a challenge, especially in proving to his friends that he could do something that they could not do. Mike inherited a 67 truck from Tony and with the help of his friends, cousins and sister Samantha her restored it into a monster truck. He couldn't wait for his dad to hand the pink slip over to him so he could get started on it. He worked on it non stop until he got it completely running and registered. That was his first pride and joy. He called it "Moby." He later became a proud owner of a black 2006 GMC Sierra. loved his GMC. He always kept his vehicles well maintained and in immaculate condition. They were the pride and joy of this life.
Mike had a variety of neighborhood friends, including buddies - Robert, Kyle, Stephen, Freddie, Richie, Raymond, Angel and Michael.
Mike was exceptionally active and as a child he was always climbing trees, jumping and doing tricks on the trampoline. He was always doing jumps on his bike too. He was brave and fearless. Mike was funny and enjoyed humorous stories, funny situations, jokes and pranks. He even relished the idea of having his hair "old man gray:" Mike always looked forward to Halloween and going with family and friends to Knotts Scary Farm. He loved the thrill and excitment of being scared.
He was such a kind, patient, loving, gentle, giving person. He was open and shared generously with his family and friends. Mike was a lover not a fighter, he had his share of girlfriends some say he was a "chick magnet." But when he loved he loved with all his heart!
When it came to music Mike loved Classic Rock, Alternative, Punk Rock and HipHop. He enjoyed going to "pennywise" concerts. His hobbies included skeet shooting, hiking, fishing and paint balling. He enjoyed all these activities with his cousins Chris, Nick, Justine and Uncle Steve, hix friends, Stephen and brother-in-law Jason. Mike had a passion for working out and running on the beach. All this excercise proved well for him as he had a healthy, strong physique. He played and excelled in baseball. He played pitcher and first baseman on the Little League teams managed by his father, Tony. As an adult he enjoyed Angel's baseball games. He and his family or friends would go to the Angel Stadium to enjoy supercross races and they would all have fun tailgating. He had a hunting license, fishing license forklift license, class A and his resale car salesman license.
Mike was an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in Glen Avon in grades 9 thru 12. His baby sister, Samantha chose to follow in her older brother's footsteps also as an altar server. Many times they preformed services together. Mike took great pride in this aspect of his religious life, and never felt embarassed about his service to the Lord.
Mike hoped to go into the Marines with his cousins Chris and Nick or law enforcemnet one day, but due to his injuries he could not.
He attended Riverside City College and specialized in Criminal Justice classes as did his sister Angela, they both loved swapping stories. He worked in construction, also for an electrical company and installed air conditioning units. He worked with his friend Stephen for several years. Mike enjoyed building things as he was very skilled and creative. These projects gave him a prideful sense of accomplishment. Sometimes he would sustain an injury and his mom and sister Angela never left his siede nurturing him back to health. Through the years Mike sustained several injuries, once he told Angela, "I should get a frequent flier pass to the emergency room." His mother Sally would tell him he was like a cat who had nine lives.
Mike was a very exceptional son, brother, grandson, uncle, cousin, nino and friend. He was rare in his thoughtfulness and wanting to please people around him. He did a great job of pleasing everyone!
We love you brother, you will be greatly missed, but will forever be in our hearts! I love you son, God Bless you.
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