Michael Newman Obituary

Name: Funeral service for Michael Newman
Location: Hills of Eternity Memorial Park

Michael S. Newman

December 23, 1948 - July 16, 2019

Died peacefully at home in Novato, CA on July 16, 2019 holding the hand of his beloved wife, Catherine, after a year-long battle with cancer. A 5th Generation San Franciscan, Mike was born on December 23, 1948, to the late Melvin and Maxine Newman. He grew up working in the family business, E. Sugarman, Inc., where he discovered his fascination with "how things work". When he attended Washington High School it advanced to sound systems and lead to the University of Utah, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.
A generous and passionate man in all aspects of life, he married late, but found the perfect partner in Cathy, for all his adventures. A master raconteur, a lover of food, wine, and good company he knew how to embrace life. He could answer any technical question with great expertise. Mike had an extensive personal and professional network and, if he couldn't help directly, loved nothing better than connecting his friends with others that could.
Mike worked at Pacific Gas & Electric and Sprint designing microwave systems before founding CSI Telecommunications in 1985, a leading public safety communications engineering firm. As President of CSI Mike was an outstanding engineer and a fierce advocate for the best interests of his clients, which included many public safety agencies in Northern California and throughout the west.
Mike served as a volunteer photographer for the San Francisco Fire Department for many years and published a book of his fire photographs Strike the Box in 1988. Mike also generously devoted his time to organizations such as the IEEE, TIA, ATIS, NARTE, NFPA, ICBO, NSMA, SBE, the Phoenix Society, and countless others.
Mike loved his friends and each year, took great joy in hosting a holiday party for friends and clients at the CSI offices in San Francisco. His politics were motivated by equally strong senses of compassion and justice. Mike was an avid reader of history: the Civil War, WWII, San Francisco, Railroads, Politics, Judaism, and leaves behind a formidable library of books on the subjects.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife Catherine Faduska Newman, family, and many friends that will sorely miss him. Funeral services were held at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park on July 19, 2019. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Mike's memory to the SF - Marin Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, or to your favorite charity.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jul. 18 to Jul. 21, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Newman

6 Entries

Brian Wada

August 17, 2020

Dear Catherine,
Sad to hear of Mike’s passing. We used to hang around back in high school in audio-sound systems. He was always a great fun person and had many interests mainly in electronics. A down to earth person. Glad to know that he was with a soul mate to enjoy work and life together.

June 22, 2020

Wow, I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing.
I work for local government and transferred over from Networking to Radio at the behest of my bosses. Mike was always super kind to me. He was an awesome teacher, in that he always took time to teach me something knew, even though he didn't have to take the time. I never had the chance to meet him personally but spent hours with him on the phone. Today, the new Radio guy was asking questions and I brought up Mike. Spoke highly of him of course. Then went to look up CSI, thats where I discovered the news.
Again, I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my Mother to Cancer last year as well.

Don Berry

August 22, 2019

Dear Cathy,
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the passing of Mike. I knew Mike was ill but did not know of his passing until today. Mike was a great friend and I will miss our phone calls. Dad and I have many fond memories of Mike and Mel and our visits to SF. We will make a donation in Mike's name to the Huntsman Cancer Center at the U of U here in Salt Lake.
Sincerely,
Don and Jim Berry
[email protected]

Jeff & Leanne Tobias

July 24, 2019

We were proud to be Mike's friends and celebrate his memory with this candle, much as Mike lit the path for so many others.

Jeff & Leanne

Jeff & Leanne Tobias

July 24, 2019

Dear Cathy,

We will miss Mike and will never forget him. He was a treasured friend.

Jeff and Mike met some 30 years ago through their shared work in telecommunications. Although they were bi-coastal Mike in San Francisco and Jeff in DC their connection endured and strengthened through the decades. This was in no small part due to Mike, whose genius for friendship was unsurpassed. There are very few people who can inspire trust, admiration, affection and loyalty as Mike did. As well, Mike was a Renaissance Man and raconteur extraordinaire. Speaking with Mike always brightened Jeff's day and brought a smile to Jeff's face.

Our friendship with Mike deepened when her married you, Cathy. Our memories of dining with you both in San Francisco and New York are very precious to us. Your Christmas cookies have always been a highlight, and we did our best to reciprocate with wines and teas. Nothing could top your Christmas cookies, though!

Cathy, Mike always exuded good cheer, but his happiness increased a thousandfold when you became his wife. You were Mike's touchstone and partner, and it has been wonderful to see Mike so happy with you.

There are very few people who share Mike's combination of decency, integrity, intelligence and sense of fun. We know that we have been very lucky to have been members of Mike's circle. We have said the Kaddish prayer for him, and will cherish his memory.

With love,

Jeff & Leanne

Mike Del Fava

July 20, 2019

There comes a time in all our lives when the people we cherish are stolen from us by death. I'm convinced that the way to allow them to live on is to never stop loving them. Memories are a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose - like a fabric that never fades, no matter how often it is washed in adversity and grief... I feel honored to have known Mike. His passing serves as a reminder to me that my time on this beautiful earth is limited and that I should seize the opportunity I have to share, explore, love and forgive. I can think of no greater way to honor Mike. God speed Mike Newman, and thank you for being my friend...

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