Michael James Ezgar

1937 - 2016

Michael James Ezgar
December 26, 1937 - September 5, 2016
Resident of El Dorado Hills
Conveyed into the hands of God September 5, 2016. Surrounded by his family until the final hour, Michael was freed from his earthly burdens to join his sweet Patricia in their new journey.
A true bon vivant, Michael was the epitome of the real Renaissance man. Brilliant in many ways, his ubiquitous knowledge of the law, arts, finance, politics, literature and sports was most impressive. Always in all ways, he was a quipster with a sharp wit. His sardonic sense of humor could be edgy and uplifting simultaneously. His Sean Connery type charm was infectious to be around.
Michael was born in Chicago and grew up as a youngster in the San Francisco Bay Area. He excelled in academics and sports (always baseball) at Carlmont High School in Belmont. After graduating, he was off to U.C. Berkeley where his Phi Beta Kappa credentials bespoke his gifted ways. A lifelong love affair with the Golden Bears began with his first day on campus and never ended.
Michael's love of the law was evidenced by the next step in his journey. He attended Harvard Law School where he graduated in 1963. He made fast friends with his fellow classmates as he chummed around with the likes of future Attorney General Janet Reno.
After Mike graduated from Harvard and did a brief stint in the Army's Intelligence Division, he began practicing law in the San Jose area. He became a partner in the prestigious law firm of Morgan, Beauzay, Hammer, Ezgar, Bledsoe and Rucka.
It didn't take Mike long to settle down and begin raising a family once he met the love of his life. Patricia Ruth Stevenson was his girl. All eyes would turn as she entered a room. Her radiant beauty enveloped those in her presence. On December 2, 1967, they were married and went on to raise four children in their smartly designed Los Gatos home. Carol Lynn, David, Geoffrey and Greg are a living testament and a brilliant legacy to a job well done by Patricia and Michael.
After Patricia passed away in 2006, Michael soon moved to his new home in El Dorado Hills to be near his daughter Carol Lynn. Here he enjoyed his twilight years tending to his home and garden and visits from his grandchildren, Heather (+baby Mav), Zachary, Sabrina, Jackson, Taylor and Jacob. He loved his local restaurants, going to the movies, tinkering with the stock market, and watching his sports on TV. Especially his Cal Bears and the San Francisco Giants.
Michael lived a long, complex life. His larger than life persona was obvious to anyone who met him. He had a certain Great Santini aura about him to the unknowing observer. Yes….ask his kids. He could be as stern a taskmaster as any around. But to those who took the time to know the true Michael, something magical was to be discovered. What the keen mind would notice was a warm, kindhearted gentleman who promoted unity, not division in his family. He donated his time and money to causes without telling anyone. He always apologized first to resolve a conflict. He was generous to the less fortunate and never talked behind someone's back.
In his final days, he would say his one unfulfilled wish was to have pitched for the San Francisco Giants. Just one pitch he said. That was all.
That was his underlying charm. He was, after all, just a kid at heart like the rest of us. He loved his cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chocolate cake and, of course, chocolate bunnies. He was our loveable, irreplaceable dad whom we painfully miss. He was and always will be, our hero.
In lieu of flowers, Contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Family email clgrellas@aol.com


View the online memorial for Michael James Ezgar