Michael Fairhurst

October 19, 1949 - October 20, 2010
To know Michael was to know passion, love, and loyalty. His very presence exuded a zest for life. In ways that most of us dream of passing our time, Mike lived. He was equally at home in a living room, walking through the desert searching for rocks, or hiking in the woods - although most believe he much preferred the forest. A chance meeting on the street led to certain delay in your plans - as to encounter Mike whether after a brief absence or years - was to fall back into comfortable conversation. He loved to talk and tell stories. If he did not know the subject, he was comfortable being the listener and learning details; if he was the subject master, he could tell fascinating tales that generally had you laughing, but always learning.
Knowing time was short - family, friends and dogs gathered on a beautiful summer weekend in Dunsmuir to tell more stories and create more history. Although fatigued, Mike displayed this joy for life, hanging in until the dark hours of the evening. He remained ever hopeful in his battle with cancer.
Mike leaves behind a gaggle of family and friends; his mother Millicent Fairhurst, his wife Samra, two stepsons Shea and Caleb, his brothers and sisters, in-law, and a host of friends and pets - all of whom are richer for having known Mike, and sadder for this loss.
In Mike's typically understated way, his request for no public service will be honored. However, in the spirit of our routinely coming together as family we will gather in celebration at a later date.
Those wishing to honor Mike's life by providing a legacy are asked to consider IMPACT (california-impact.org), an organization providing prostate testing and treatment to under- and un-insured men in California. Send donations to: UC Regents with "Dr. Litwin's research fund" and Mike Fairhurst's name on the memo line, and mail to David Seffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Box 951738, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1738. Alternately donations can be directed to the National Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org), dedicated to planting trees and sustainable forestry practices.