MICHAEL NORIEGA Obituary - (2021) - San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Express-News

MICHAEL NORIEGA

Michael Noriega, age 72, surrounded by family, went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2021. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus M. Noriega and Paula G. Noriega, sisters, Pauline G. Noriega and Josephine N. Martinez, brothers, Jesse, John, Joel and Frank Noriega, and Brother-in-Law Raul B. Medrano. Michael is survived by sons Retired Army Major Michael Joseph (Morena), Paul, Steven, and Chris (Jennifer), 12 grandchildren, sisters Rosie N. Medrano, Gloria Noriega (Rudy Alvarado), brothers Eliseo, Joe (Rosa), Arthur (Dolores), and Jerry (Margaret). Numerous nephews and nieces. Michael was a 1967 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. Mike proudly worked at Santa Rosa Medical Center (Christus Santa Rosa) for 48 years, starting in the housekeeping department, transferring to a Unit Clerk and retiring as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Mike was an inspiration to many of the younger Pharmacy Technicians that he helped train. During that time Mike also drove for over 15 years with the Via Metropolitan Transit. Mike was an avid athlete. He pitched for the Noriega Brothers Softball Team as well as the Los Primos Softball Team, The Temple of Doom Softball Team and the Santa Rosa Pharmacy Softball Team. Mike also played basketball with the Noriega Brothers Basketball team, volleyball with the Santa Rosa Pharmacy Volleyball team, and bowled with the Santa Rosa Pharmacy Bowling team. Mike enjoyed watching the Texas Longhorns, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Astros and Dallas Cowboys. Mike was an avid fisherman as well as a Fisher of Men. Mike served on numerous ACTS Retreat teams for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower parish. The family would like to thank the staff of Texas Oncology-Westover Hills, Dr Hesita, Dr Esquivel, the staff of Embrace Hospice, Father Joaquin from St Gabriel parish, and Father Gregory Ross, O.C.D. from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. A Rosary will be held on Wednesday, 2/24/21 at 5:30 pm at Castillo-Mission Funeral home. Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, 2/25/21 at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery II. Services under the direction of Castillo Mission Funeral Home.

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Published in Express-News on Feb. 21, 2021.

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12 entries

February 24, 2021

This is Jesse one of Michael's nephews. Condolences to Michael's family, especially his boys. This was a wonderful Rosary, and I enjoyed the memories shared tonight.
I once played catcher for the Noriega brothers softball team, and I remember the consistent high arc to his pitch. I also played basketball against him at Frank's and I remember his great shot. My Dad told me he was really a good basketball player in junior high.
May the anguish you may have today be replaced by the good memories. God bless..

Jesse Noriega

Family

February 24, 2021

The Robert Noriega Martinez Family from Oklahoma City send our deepest sympathy to the Noriega family. As a relative of the Noriega family, I recall some of the special memories that my cousin Michael and I cherished during our time together. To me Michael was very smart, outgoing, kindhearted, thoughtful with a great personality and very welcoming.
I played with Michael on the Noriega Brothers Softball Team for years as an infielder. Michael was our pitcher and very knowledgeable at his position. When on the mount he was like a military General on the field directing a player’s movement in regard to his style of pitching. During our time there weren’t too many softball slow pitch teams in San Antonio so regardless if we played at Tom’s, Olmos Park, or Concepcion Park, we would continue playing the same teams over and over. Michael became very familiar with the opposite players that before every pitch he would turn around and nod his head to the fielder noting that was the area where the batter was going to hit. When an immense play was made, whether on defense or offense, Michael would turn around, look downward and always have a big smile on his face. When an error was made he would turn around, put his glove hand on his hip and very slowly rotate his head from side to side. If one of his brothers made an error, they would not only get the glove hand on his hip, the rotation of his head from side to side but also a stare down at them with his eyes wide open. If he made the error, he would not turn around but looked down and start throwing the ball very hard into his glove. I loved playing with my cousin because he always gave more than 100% when playing any sport. I have many other memories of events that took place with Michael and my cousins that I could go on and on.
I like to express to my cousins that our next Noriega Brothers Softball Team will be better because we are all together again along with our relatives that have gone before us.
With sympathy and love,
Robert Noriega Martinez

Robert Martinez

Family

February 24, 2021

To my compadre, I will miss you and will keep you in my heart for the rest of my days. I will cherish the good times we had at work and the time we spent after work. You always made me laugh. We shared a great friendship for 25 years. I will miss you my friend, and I will never
forget you.

Mike Castillo

Friend

February 23, 2021

Condolences to all the Noriega family in this difficult time from Sal and I . Mike is the only one that could make me laugh
uncontrollably and loud when I was trying to keep it to a minimal at work . I will miss our conversations and text these last couple of months . See you later my friend. Terry Fernandez

Terry Fernandez

Friend

February 23, 2021

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Cynthia A. Koger

February 22, 2021

My deepest sympathy to the Noriega family. Our prayers are with during this difficult time, God be with you all. Carlos and Sonya Medrano

Carlos & Sonya Medrano

Friend

February 22, 2021

You are my best friend!! I miss you very much. No more Denny’s or magnolia pancake house. No more movies or 5 hot dogs at Weinerschnitzel. No more birthdays or holidays with you. I think of you often and always will. Please save me that space in heaven. I love you Mike!!

Cassie Minjarez

Coworker

February 22, 2021

Though many years have passed, fond memories remain.
Rest in Peace, Michael
Your teammates/co-worker Arne and Kathy Saustrup

February 21, 2021

In my father's house are many mansions. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, "I will come again and receive you to Myself ; that "where I am , there you may be also. John 14:2-3 To the Noriega family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and blessings go out to all his family. Rest in Peace my friend.

Edward Esparza

Coworker

February 21, 2021

Michael, his brothers were very close when I worked at Santa Rosa we played Basketball and softball together i ran with the family to San Juan when I was a avid runner but Mike as a knew him was very competitive in all sports I will miss him .

Ralph Monsivais

Friend

February 21, 2021

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February 21, 2021

"Wait for me after school"...This phrase would carry out for 62 years, I was in 1st grade, Mike was in 5th grade and seemed like an adult to me, every chance i would get, in recess, in Cafeteria, between classes , in the stairwell, "Mike, wait for me afterschool", Then for the rest of our lives, the next 62 years, whether at the Golf Course, between innings in games , on the pier at the coast, Working together at VIA Metro Transit...Fishing our favorite Spot in Paradise Canyon, Braunig Lake Calaveras Lake,..he'd yell at me ..JOE..."Wait for me afterschool" We'd go for breakfast frequently after retirement and always parted with the same phrase.."Wait for me afterschool."..The day before he passed and to the last day, Wait for me afterschool Mike, And now I say good bye to my brother Mike and tell him.."Wait for me in Heaven Mike" ...I will dearly miss him..."Wait for me afterschool."....Your Loving brother Joey.

Joe G. Noriega

Brother

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