Michael Anthony Harnish

Michael Anthony Harnish of Shell Beach, Calif., passed away May 17, 2024.
Born February 18, 1946, to Edward and Katherine Harnish in Bellefonte, Penn., he was the
youngest of seven siblings.
After graduating from Bellefonte High School in 1964, Mike followed his oldest brother Jerry to
Southern California, joining him in working at an International Harvester dealership. In his spare
time, he earned his private pilot's license. He was introduced to his future wife Chris while
giving a mutual friend an airplane ride and they went on their first date that night. Engagement
soon followed, but a wedding would have to wait.
Mike was drafted into the Army in 1966. He served a tour in Vietnam with Company B of the
36th Engineer Battalion before his discharge in June 1968.
Mike and Chris married on October 25, 1968, and settled in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los
Angeles, where they made their home for more than 40 years. They welcomed a son, Eric, in
1972.
Mike spent his career in the trucking and transportation industry, working for a variety of
Southern California dealerships before retiring from Los Angeles County Metro in 2010, where
he managed bus service and maintenance.
A man of faith, Mike attended various churches throughout his adult life. He always found ways
to serve, whether behind the scenes or in official roles as deacon or elder.
Mike and Chris retired to Shell Beach in 2010 where they enjoyed whale watching from their
patio, exploring country roads, socializing with friends, and hosting family get-togethers.
Welcoming their grandkids, who loved visiting Nana and Papa, was by far a favorite activity,
with Mike using their visits as a chance to indulge in baking. Always up for adventure, he and
Chris joined friends on cruises and gatherings in California and Oregon, and visited Europe
multiple times.
Mike is survived by his wife Chris; son Eric; daughter-in-law April; grandchildren Laurel, Drew,
Brooke, and Amber; sisters Ann Martin and Cynthia Yorks; nieces Diane Hauer, Joyce
Koressel, Melissa Dean, Pam Asaro and Kathy Scott, and a large extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his siblings Jerry Harnish, Francis Hauer,
Judy Brown, and Virginia Harnish.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity you support, or the American Heart
Association https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give.
Services
Memorial Service - 10 a.m.
Reis Family Mortuary
991 Nipomo St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Graveside Service - 11:30 a.m.
Arroyo Grande Cemetery
895 El Camino Real
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Celebration of Life - 12:15 p.m.
Ventana Grill - Pacific Room
2575 Price St.
Pismo Beach, CA 93449