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BORN
1948
DIED
2010
STEVEN MESQUITE Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for STEVEN MESQUITE
Sponsored by Kit Sober, another grateful friend.
Brian
January 19, 2025
I miss this man who inspired me as a child. I got to meet him many times as went to to church together back in the 70s.
Karla Canright Duncan
October 27, 2023
First of all, I apologize for submitting my condolences at such a late date. I had not been involved in the Castro Valley area for quite some time.
I grew up right around the corner from the Mesquite Family. I loved the whole family! Rick was my age, he was my boyfriend in junior high school. Skip was my brothers' age. (Steve Canright, (died in Nam) and Rick Canright,(passed in 2015). Herman and Elaine -the kindest people I have ever met. Losing loved ones is something that we can't even explain, but just know Skip touched SO many people throughout his amazing life.
My mother, Joyce Canright, was heavily involved with promoting all the local rock bands back in the 60's. (We lost her in 2014) My first husband, Bruce Tahsler, was very tight with Skip and the family as well. SO MANY fond memories of those days. Be Blessed!
Karla Canright Duncan
Athens, TX
Debro Kraig
June 28, 2023
I know he must have in Castro Valley where I grew up. My brothers were/are Tower of Power fanatics. And I knew his dad as an umpire from little league. Good memories. Nice people.
Jackie Malmberg
November 5, 2021
Nancy,
Kind and wonderful, genuine and loving, is how I will always remember you and Skip.
One of my favorite Sunday Night Fellowships was when Skip and his father (who was visiting at the time) put on a great show of music and humor.
Trusting that you all are doing well and living in the grace of God's tender Hands.
Jackie Malmberg
Darla M. Adams
August 24, 2021
I was just thinking of Skip and ran across this posting. I met and knew Skip totally out of the music world, he was a great sales guy that I had the pleasure of working closely with as a Project Manager. When we finally discovered we were both musicians and I discovered who he really was.............well I loved that. Just added more subjects to our conversations. Skip is awesome and sometimes we'd just laugh. I missed him right away back then and I still do right this very minute. His trip to Italy to play with I think Leon??? Well that was a very big thing to him and he told me he had a blast. I never got to see him live cause he'd forget to tell me. But I did know the human being he is and I am grateful for that. Memories are wonderful, thanks so much Skip for good work times we had whining, complaining, and laughing about it all.
Mike Lawson
March 17, 2019
Miss playing with you and Merl and everyone else in San Francisco. You were a great guy, Skip.
Gary Piper
March 16, 2019
Janet and I saw TOP at The City Winery in Nashville last night. I brought the framed picture seen below and shared it with the guys during a meet and greet. Emilio took it to show each member. Then David gave me his email address so I could send it to him electronically. Emilio took a picture of it. I'm the one on the far right. I miss Skip so very much. I hope you're doing well, Nancy.
Jackie Malmberg
September 4, 2017
Dearest Nancy,
It is 2017 and I decided to listen to some Earth, Wind and Fire-which of course, brought you and Skip to my mind. So, looking up Skip's name, I came across his obituary. Thank God we have been taught the accuracy of Jesus Christ coming back-and we will see Skip again. The adversary won this battle, however, we will win the War.
Please accept my condolences, my love and heart towards you and your children. Not only Skip was wonderful, you also. I always think of you and Skip as kind, gentle and exceptionally good hearted.
Thank you for the privilege,
Jackie Malmberg -I Thess. 4:1 ff
...Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.
1964, before we were the Galaxies. Skip was by far the most talented.
Gary Piper
April 21, 2015
July 22, 2014
The music of Tower of Power is part of my human fabric growing up in Richmond, Ca. My brothers and then mother would play TOP albums and I have fond memories of that time and listening ignites my memories. Ah, gone are the joyful days...
July 17, 2014
Remembering Skip. My memories of you, are that you always had a smile. You were truly a family man. I reckon the funniest thing was looking for a garment bag in Trenton, NJ. With Ken McCall.
February 19, 2014
RIP
December 12, 2013
I knew Skip 6th grade. I was a senior at Canyon High School in Castro Valley, Ca while he was junior. I was playing music all over the Bay Area. We really didn't get to know each other very well. But the last time talked was at Daugherty's Department Store in Castro Valley, Ca in 1971. I had been in service when was really taking off in music and was surprised how far had gone when I came back from the service in 1970. My prayers are with his family .
Dianne (Norman) Webber
October 3, 2013
Rick, I am deeply sorry to learn that your brother, Skip, had passed. I send to you and your family my deepest condolences. Please find peace knowing that your brother is in the comfort of God's loving arms, and lives in your heart forever. Nothing can take that away. Most of all, know that so many people, as demonstrated in these messages, have you and your family in their hearts and offer their loving comfort. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dianne Norman Webber
The former vault @ B of A
Darrell Stevens
November 6, 2011
I only knew Skip from Way productions with the Way Ministry. I always loved hearing him play sax. He had such a unique sound and energy. He is my brother in Christ and awaiting the return is what he is doing.
Doc Woodard
August 2, 2011
I've known Skip through TOP since around 1972...as a founding member of TOP he will be sadly missed for all his kindness. My heart goes out to his family. As a fellow musician and friend... thanks for all the memories. ......Doc Woodard Nashville, Tn
Susan Wright Kielpinski
June 19, 2011
Years ago, Skip and his wife Nancy helped me in a crisis as a single Mom. It was kind and generous of them and not at all convenient, as they, and their friends spent about five hours at the end of a performance. It was a labor of love and had a lasting effect on my confidence as a Mom, not only of my first child, who is now a successful wife, mother, businesswoman, and church, school, and civic volunteer, but with my three sons that were born since then.
My daughter is an excellent mother, whereas I was floundering at the time that Skip and Nancy helped me.
So if you consider the benefits that continue 33 years later from that one incident of love in action, only God can keep record of the ripples of love in action that have spread forth from Skip and his wife Nancy, and continue to ripple outward in an ever widening circle, until the Lord returns, and Skip is with him.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Skip Mesquite. Thank you for your work in him. Thank you that we can count on you to be there at the resurrection. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Gary Piper
April 18, 2011
Here it is a year later and I just heard that we lost Skip. We met in '63 at Foothill High School (the old Hayward High School). Castro Valley and San Leandro kids were bussed there while our new schools were being built. Skip, Dennis Schriber and I formed a band, The Galaxys. Skip, by far, was the most talented of us. We won the Battle of the Bands one year and played many school dances and some social clubs. We lost touch after graduation and the Viet Nam demands on our young men. I have great pictures and hope to upload one or two to this site. My heart goes out to all who knew this wonderful guy and especially his family, for this is a loss that touches many, many lives.
weber pt.-Stockton Blues Fest 07'
Chris & Kelley O'Dea
April 4, 2011
Glad we were able to spend time with Skip this day, great way to remember him by. The few times we crossed paths over the years always made me feel fortunate to have known him. Our prayers are with skip as well as Rick and the family. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Mike Lawson
July 27, 2010
Oh Skip, I'm heartbroken to hear you're gone. I have the best memories of playing with you and Merl Saunders, of hanging out at his house, hanging out at my office in Vallejo with you when you came and played shows on the Main Street Celebrations. I hope you rest in peace, Skip. You were a great guy.
Pedro Fernandez
July 11, 2010
Didn't know I could do this online. First saw the talented Skip Mesquite play with TOP at a dance in 1969 or 1970. His tenor sax "tone" was different than that of the other Tower tenors. Last saw him at San Mateo, when he joined the band on stage.
Jeannie Taylor Smolarek
May 8, 2010
Nancy, my love and prayers go out to you at this time. You and Skip blessed me a lot those many years ago and I still remember you both fondly. I am so glad that we will see one another again and that Skip's music will be all the sweeter.
Margo Jones
April 18, 2010
I was so saddened when I heard the news. Although we will meet in Heaven,So save a seat for me
Jim Fraga
April 7, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Skip was always an inspiration to me for his gentle manner, kindness, and his love for the Lord Jesus Christ. He will be missed! God Bless You.
Kit Sober
April 4, 2010
Thank you Skip for your kindness into the world.
Nancy, my sincere condolences to you and yours.
Johnny Young
March 31, 2010
My prayers are with this man who touched so many lives...including mine. After speaking with this man at a Cold Blood performance, I was inspired to pick my horn back up, and get back at it. Skip will be forever remembered for the man he was. Johnny Young
Always in our hearts
Bruce Tahsler
March 27, 2010
Bob Henson
March 26, 2010
A beautiful voice - a beautiful soul, a beautiful spirit... captured on record for the world... we are the better for him.
The U.S Male circa 1966. Skip Mesquite: Front row far right.
March 25, 2010
John Lawrence
March 25, 2010
I had the pleasure of meeting Skip during our time together in Ohio. He was a wonderful friend and a great man.He is going to be missed by me and many others.
John Lawrence.
John Lawrence
BTF
March 25, 2010
My prayers are with the Mesquite Family that God would comfort and keep them in His presence. God Bless you all.
Greg Vallejo
March 24, 2010
To Nancy and the family.......The memorial for Skip today was very moving. I'll miss Skip dropping by my office each month and our lunches at China City. I can still hear his voice and laugh as I write this.
Gretchen and I send our prayers.
Greg Vallejo
Antioch, Ca.
Brian Rachlin
March 24, 2010
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Skip Mesquite.
I had the pleasure of meeting Skip a couple of years ago when I was in San Francisco. I met Skip and many other Bay area musicians during rehearsals for a show at the Fillmore.
Skip was a real gentleman and seemed to enjoy conversing with someone that is a big fan of his work.
May he rest in peace.
March 24, 2010
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Skip Mesquite.
I had the pleasure of meeting Skip a couple of years ago when I was in San Francisco. I met Skip and many other Bay area musicians during rehearsals for a show at the Fillmore.
Skip was a real gentleman and seemed to enjoy conversing with someone that is a big fan of his work.
May he rest in peace.
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
March 24, 2010
Skip and I went out to dinner a few times, once I brought a young Christain singer to him to produce. Skip spent 2 hours quzzing the young guy on Christian doctorine to make sure this was a real Christian. The guy passed all the tests, then, Skip agreed to Produce the young man for free to The Glory or God. Blessings Al Carlos Hernandez, Professor Patten University Oakland.
Christy Holguin
March 24, 2010
Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet Skip but he inspired me when I was starting out on the flute back in the late 60's. He had a very special talent and, from what I've heard, he was a great guy.
My condolences to Skip's family and friends.
Bruce Tahsler
March 23, 2010
Hello,
My name is Bruce Tahsler and this email is for Mr. Herman Mesquite, and Skip's wife, and children.
I was the lead vocalist in the band, the U.S. Male, back in the late 60's. Skip was our keyboard player. Mr Mesquite, I'm not sure if you remember me, but my son Steve Tahsler played little league baseball in Castro Valley during the time you umpired.
I was so saddened to hear of Skip's passing. He was not only a terrific musician, but a kind and delightful person to be around. Myself, along with Bill Quarry, promoted a show back in 2007 that brought together the Spyders and the original horn section of Tower of Power. We had them perform together and it was amazing. Looking back, I'm so grateful that Skip had the opportunity to get together with some of his old friends. I have photos of the show.
Again, please accept my sincere condolences. Skip was the type of person that comes into your life and makes an immediate impact. I'll never forget him, and I'm a better person for having known him.
[email protected]
March 23, 2010
We will always remember Skip as the young man who played in a band and loved music. May you find comfort in Jesus arms as he holds you through this difficult time.
The Moreland Family
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