Michael Ditomaso

1923 - 2015

Michael Ditomaso May 10, 1923 - December 23, 2015 Lakeside Michael Ditomaso, 92, of Lakeside, California, passed away on December 23, 2015 peacefully in his sleep. In his final days he was surrounded by the love and care of his family and friends.The funeral service will be held on January 8th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Lakeside. Rosary, 10am, Funeral Mass,11am. A reception featuring Mike's traditional Italian Christmas dinner will follow immediately after the service. Private interment to be at Miramar National Cemetery. Mike was a first generation San Diegan born to Italian immigrants on May 10, 1923. He graduated from San Diego High School. He served in World War 11 as an air plane mechanic for the Army Air Force from 1942-1946. Mike married Jean Ditomaso (Yeomans) on August 1, 1950. He married W. Catherine Ditomaso (Doran) on December 18, 1982; they were married for 33 years. Mike served as a Federal Fire Fighter at San Diego's Naval Training Center beginning in 1942 and retiring with the rank of Captain in 1976. He then set out to travel to as many places as possible in Europe, Mexico and South America. He loved San Diego and the East Cape of Baja California, where he spent as much of his retirement time as he could. He enjoyed reading detective stories while listening to the waves in Baja, and loved fishing those waters even more. Days before his 89th birthday and on his final trip to the peninsula, he caught a 110-pound Marlin and brought it in himself. One of Mike's greatest joys was having weekly lunch with his high school buddies, occasions which continued nearly until his passing. He loved the sound of laughter in his home to which he was always an eager and hearty contributor. Mike is survived by his wife Catherine; daughters Michele Silva, Renee Peeples, and Rebecca Nelson (Monty); sons Thomas Parnell (Audra), Michael Ditomaso Jr. (Chris), and Brian Leung (Brian); 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; brother Joseph Ditomaso (Mary); nieces, nephews; cousins and the rest of his family and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Trifone Ditomaso and Cunzie Ditomaso; his brother Dominic Ditomaso, as well as his sister Corrine Hansen Minto. In lieu of flowers and as recognition of their support memorial donations may be designated in Mike's name to Hospice at Scripps Health Foundation, PO Box 2669, La Jolla, CA 92038 or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Bereavement Ministries,13208 Lakeshore Dr., Lakeside, CA 92040.