Michael Prescott

Michael Tarney Prescott

Resident of Nevada City, CA

January 11, 1937 - May 7, 2012

Michael (Mike) Tarney Prescot,t passed away on Monday, May 7th, 2012 at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California from complications following heart surgery. His loving family was by his side.

Mike was born on January 11, 1937 in Glendale, California, to Alice and Frank (Mike) Prescott. He and his mother moved to San Mateo, California when he was a young boy, where he attended and graduated from local schools and served in the National Guard.

In 1958, he married Kathleen (Kathy) Britt, and they bought their first home in San Mateo where their first three children were born. They later moved to San Carlos where they welcomed their fourth child. Soon they outgrew that home and moved to a rambling older home in the Emerald Lake are of Redwood City, enjoying the lower lake and the camaraderie of the neighborhood. Mike's favorite pastime was being a dad, and he always managed to support each of his children and grandchildren's school, sports, and other activities with encouragement and enthusiasm: He shared his love of nature: by teaching the kids to find their way through the forest, run trails, and climb trees Coached his daughter Kerry's soccer team for several years

Took the family on many dirt bike riding trips. Coached Kathy and Shawn's women's soccer team. He modeled honesty, equality and a sense of fair play.

Mike was employed in various manufacturing businesses in the area, spending the last 20 years of his career as vice president of manufacturing at Keystone Brothers in San Francisco. He retired in 1988; dedicating himself to designing and building, along with Kathy and son, Conn, their dream home in the Kings Mountain community of Woodside, California. Critical to this endeavor was the invaluable contribution of draftsperson extraordinaire, Ardyth Woodruff. There he raised finches and other exotic small birds in a large indoor aviary and enjoyed walking and hiking the many beautiful trails in the area with his wolf hybrid dogs and making new friends. In 2008, after Kathy retired from 30+ years of working for San Mateo County, they moved to Nevada City, California, to be near their daughter, Shawn, and her family. There they enjoyed the small community atmosphere and the local attractions of art, music, and the natural beauty of the of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Mike was an avid reader of expansive and varied topics and loved stimulating conversations with family and friends. His love of music was legendary and encompassed many genres; jazz, light rock, folk, celtic, and most especially the music that his daughter, Shawn, and her children, Tarney, Connor, and Keely wrote and performed. Mike was also well known for his large, and eclectic sweater collection.

Mike is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathy, his daughters, Shawn and Kerry (Spiro); his sons, Conn (Therry) and Michael; and was Grandad the Magnificent to Conn's sons, Patrick, Nicholas, and Casey; Shawn's triplets, Tarney, Keely and Connor, their father, Doug Haussler, step grand-daughter Leslie and Zoe Eleni Stamos who will join our family on June 3rd, 2012. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law and wife, Pat Britt and Regina Billings, and many nieces, cousins, and very dear friends.

And last but not least, his beloved cat, Tarnish.

The Celebration of Mike's Life will be held at San Mateo Garden Center, Saturday June 16th, from 2pm to 6pm.