MICHAEL ANTHONY ROLAN

ROLAN, MICHAEL ANTHONY June 15, 1942 to Nov. 13, 2010 Michael Anthony Rolan of San Diego, California, died peacefully November 13, 2010 following a long and brave battle with cancer. Mike was a second generation native of San Diego. He graduated from Kearny High School in Linda Vista. Always up for an adventure, Mike spent a year aboard a Scripps Research boat in his youth before joining the Army. In 1966, he began his career in law enforcement as a State Traffic Officer with the California Highway Patrol, working out of the Pomona and Oceanside Offices. After seven years with the CHP, Mike joined the San Diego District Attorney's Office in 1973 as a Criminal Investigator and later was a Lieutenant, heading the Special Investigations and Intelligence Unit, until his retirement in 1999. He earned a BA in Criminal Justice and attended the 135th FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Michael R. Rolan and Carmen Rolan, both of San Diego, California. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Gayle; his children Yvette De La Garza (Alberto), Michael Christopher Rolan, and Kimberly Musser (Jeff); his grandson Gavin Musser; his first wife Linda Rolan; his four siblings Rene Peyton, Tom Rolan, Bob Rolan (Anne) and Mark Rolan (Cathy); as well as a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and cherished friends and colleagues. Mike and his wife went scuba diving with family and friends, often in exotic locations, including cave diving in Akumal! They loved to travel and spent months touring all across the United States. Mike and Gayle learned to play the Roland organ together and were active in their classes. Mike enjoyed football, baseball, and politics, having strong opinions on each! Mike was a patriot, proud of his country and felt being born in the U.S. was an honor. He loved to sing in the shower, in the kitchen, to his wife, or just waking up in the morning. He always had a song in his head and in his heart. Mike was a caring friend, a loving husband, and a great father and grandfather. And to his grandson Gavin, he was a Secret Agent Man who fought bad guys and fire-breathing dragons -- but only the low-octane ones. He will be greatly missed. A mass is scheduled for November 22, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Ascension Catholic Church in Tierrasanta. Donations in lieu of flowers: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, Sharp Memorial Hospital, UCSD Moores Cancer Center or Meals on Wheels.