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Michael Ishida Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Ishida
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Kenneth Barton
April 7, 2025
Miss you good friend
Kenneth Barton
April 6, 2019
miss you my pal
Ken Barton
May 22, 2014
To the Ishida Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was a good friend for many years and a trusted associate.
Respectfully,
Ken Barton
Jenny Hogan Wilson
April 24, 2014
I went to WHS with Mike. Shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. May you find peace and strength during this difficult time.
Matt Seymour
April 21, 2014
I miss my friend.
I met Michael Ishida in 1976 as a timid 9 year old, transplanted from friends and family in Michigan to our new home in Irvine, CA. I was the new kid in a new town, and was nervous about making new friends. Mike lived just down the street, and we met soon after I moved in. I recall talk of Mike's mom telling Mike, “Go play with the new kid over on Deerspring!”, to which Mike would reply, “But Mom, he has a cast on his arm and can't swim, or do anything!!!” Well as it turned out, Mike listened to his mom, and we became friends instantly. Through our friendship our parents became and remain close friends today, and I have to say that most of the long lasting relationships I have in life today originated because of my friendship with Mike.
The early years with Mike were fun filled to say the least! We were very similar. We both had a passion for fun and laughter, even if it meant a bit of mischief along the way! Just a couple of boys looking for the next belly laugh, and we all belly laughed a lot growing up. To name a few of the local co-conspirators in no real order, Cory Bell, Rick Lee, Danny Gonzalez, Mike Quon, Blake Simkins, Pat Park, Bobby Rowell, Mark Simpson, Tyler Mattox, Jeff Rangel, Todd Aldrich, Geoff Giglio and so many others… Playing over the line at Deerfield Elementary, sleep overs, surfing, little league baseball, stringing cans across Deerfield West, shooting BB guns where we weren't supposed to, and of course making fart tapes on cassette in Mike's bedroom, were just a few of the moments that still make me cry with laughter. It was a storybook childhood, and Mike was our centerpiece.
These little boys started the transformation to being young men as we moved to Venado Middle School, and somehow made the discovery that girls were not gross anymore! Actually, I think Mike discovered this much earlier than most of us! His contagious smile and whit started working on the ladies very quickly. How incredibly lucky I was to have grown up through these years of exploration and discovery with Mike! What could have been so awkward and uncomfortable for some of us, Mike made seem so easy. He was truly a special spirit.
I can recall so many experiences from this time of life like they were just yesterday. I remember learning to use chop sticks at Mike's house eating Sapporo Ichiban noodles at the table, often ending up eating next to the dog bowl on the kitchen floor, because according to Auntie Margaret, “If you two are going to eat like animals, I am going to treat you like animals!” We just giggled like always and ate on the floor. I remember Christmas mornings, as soon as my mom and dad would allow, being off to my friend's house to compare how we did with Santa. And of course I always looked forward to the eventual arrival of the Weissinger family. After all, we got to hang out with our older and much cooler big brother Ric, and if we were lucky his totally hot older sister Cheryl! And of course, anyone who knew Mike well also knew he had incredible tunnel vision and maybe the most selective hearing of anyone ever. I have a sneaking suspicion that he developed this while sitting Indian style in his living room on Saturday mornings, with a gigantic bowl of cereal in his lap and his face about a foot from the television, watching cartoons with the TV blasting. I can still picture him in his own little world, laughing hysterically. That laugh was priceless, and thankfully never changed.
As the pre-teens moved to Woodbridge High School, the laughter and mischief grew! Mike's relentless pursuit of fun seemed to be contagious to all of us that were lucky enough to call him a friend. He was an absolute magnet for fun, and we had more than our share of it together through the high school years. I can remember dances, football, baseball, all night study sessions (that's what we called them), vacations, and all the times that we just hung out as teenagers experiencing life… I'm so grateful to have spent so much time growing up with my friend.
As we grew older and went our separate ways, it seemed we were still very much connected. We were always so similar and shared so many of the same character traits, good and bad… At times during our lives we have shared in desperate times, where one or both of us didn't see a way out. Somehow we always turned the corner together to see each other smiling again. I know I am not alone in this, as Mike's big heart has reached out to so many of us in difficult times. Even when we didn't see eye to eye, we managed to put our differences aside and choose friendship. I am so grateful now that we made things right between us.
Mike leaves us all with a legacy of happiness. Like the rest of us he wasn't happy himself 24/7, but he brought instant happiness to everyone around him! I can honestly say that my friend Mike Ishida is the most charismatic person I have ever met. He was a gift to all of us from God, who he believed in deeply, and the party in heaven is going off right now. I'm laughing and crying as I think about all of our history together. We should all be thankful for knowing Mike.
Mike, I will miss your smile, and especially those belly laughs we shared so much buddy. It is painful now, but I know someday I will think of you and smile again.
I miss you.
Matt
Didem Ellermeyer
April 21, 2014
My family and I didn't know Michael very well or for a long time but with his warm and outgoing , caring personality , you didn't need to know him very long to know you were lucky to have met this warm and big hearted man . You didn't need to know Michael very long to feel and know he will be missed . Our sincere condolences to his whole family. The Ellermeyer Family
April 19, 2014
Our sincerest condolences and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Rest assure that Mike was loved very much by many and his spirit will live on forever. We hold our memories of him close in our hearts and they will never fade. Peace be with you...
sandra Tyson
April 18, 2014
Frank, Dee and Leslie - Oh my - such sadness and grief for your family - this a shock - I knew Michael just a little - he was always so polite, pleasant, friendly and courteous to me. Be proud of him and love him forever. Love from Sandy Tyson to the Ishida Family
Yvette (Spraker) Hernandez
April 18, 2014
To my life long Friend and Family-
My heart is heavy with sadness that can only be filled with joy of the many, many happy memories I shared being part of your famliy growing up. Mike's bellowing howl of laughter and your famliy togetherness made your home a place I loved to be. All my love and prayers to you, Leslie and your Famliy .
Carrie Coffey
April 17, 2014
I will echo those who have expressed how fortunate they are to have been in the presence of someone as special as Mike. You can travel the world (and I have) to discover things so beautiful and so rare only to find that you had already witnessed one of them right there in your high school classroom. Being with Mike guaranteed a lot of warmth and smiles. Thank you to Frank and Dee for bringing such an amazing man into this world and for sharing him with so many people who loved him so very much. To Leslie, may you always know how proud Mike was of you!
April 16, 2014
Frank and Dee,
It was with great sadness that we heard of the loss of Mike and words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about his death. As you grieve, know that we are remembering you and honoring the memory of him. Our family sends you love and want you to know our thoughts are with you. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.
Jim & Christine Weissinger
Cory Bell
April 16, 2014
Thanks Michael for allowing me to be part of your life. I love you, miss you and please know that your soul will always be part of my DNA.
Hisao Gregory Shioji
April 15, 2014
Miss him so much we worked together at Surplus Computer Works in Santa Ana CA, Also he grew up with my two younger brothers great guy I will always remember his smile & great work ethics.
Heather Seymour-Trzaska
April 15, 2014
Love and miss you my cherished friend! Thank you for blessing my life and for all of the many memories you've given me through the lifetime of friendship we shared. Frank, Dee and Les. I'm so sorry. He touched so many lives and will be missed by all that were lucky enough to know him. My prayers go out to you and the rest of the family.
Love, Heather
Jennifer Carey
April 15, 2014
Mr. and Mrs. Ishida and Leslie - there are no words but I hope you find peace in knowing what a special person Mike was and how he touched so many in his short life. I feel fortunate to have known Mike in high school and college. My condolences to you all.
Geoff Giglio
April 15, 2014
Miss you so very much Ish! Will try so hard to live my life better, and will never forget you. Will never forget one single moment, and you will live in my heart until I see you again! Love You Mikey!
Ron and Karol Dutchen
April 14, 2014
We know that no words can help ease the pain and loss that you are feeling right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time
Michaela Joyce
April 14, 2014
I remember Mike's infectious smile and laugh from High School, he was a great guy. I very shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. My condolences to the entire Ishida family during this sad time.
Pat Park
April 14, 2014
I will be there in spirit. We will do something for Mike over here on the islands.
Rephael Inbar
April 12, 2014
My deepest heartfelt condolences to all touched by the free spirit of Michael. He left much too soon and I will miss him greatly.
April 12, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. With love, Bob and Dee Nelson
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