Mike Donaldson and I met in Frank LaPorte's freshman history class in 1956. It was the start of a friendship that lasted until Mike died of esophageal and stomach cancer in July 1996, at age 53. Mike and I went to college together, both graduating from San Francisco State with bachelors' degrees in history. He was the Best Man in my wedding. For forty years, he and I shared infectious laughter accompanying wry, ironic humor; the trials and joys of early parenthood; the greatest sporting events of the late 20th century; the music of America--particularly the Blues; political protests and social upheavals, and, later, the pain of insurmountable losses. Mike cared for people. At Mike's wake, a nephew said whenever Mike asked him how he was, Mike always demanded, and got, a lot more than a one word or one sentence answer. Mike was a Renaissance Man before the term became popular.
Mike's passing will linger until we meet again. I am comforted by the fact that our families have been connected for nearly fifty years, and the likelihood is that that legacy will endure.
I chuckle every so often when I remember how close Mike came to leaving O'Dowd in our senior year. He narrowly averted expulsion after being caught, literally with his pants down, smoking in the boy's bathroom below the gym by our Principal, Rev. James F. Maher. Mike's mother, "Murphy", quickly and successfully intervened a week or so later. 'Murph' pleaded for mercy; no doubt the weighted value of countless nightly Rosaries, ritually recited with Catholic radio before dinner by the Donaldson family of seven, had an important influence on Fr. Maher's decision to let Mike stay. Fortunately, Graduation Day arrived before Mike and Fr. Maher had a return encounter, either beneath the gym or anywhere else on campus.
Mike earned a Master's in history. He taught kindergarden in Berkeley Unified schools and history at the college level for over 10 years. He married twice, had five kids and was a successful real estate agent in Pollock Pines when he died. Mike was loved by almost everyone he ever encountered, even the late, great (above mentioned) Coach Frank, who humorously referred to both Mike and me as "Jellyfish", from the time we started O'Dowd until we graduated. Mike leaves his wife, Leticia Reyna-Donaldson, three daughters, two sons, many relatives and countless friends.
Mike was another neighbor and grammar school classmate that we lost way too soon. He was a nice, hard-working guy, and it was just great seeing him at the two re-unions that I attended. Same good guy - I remember we were shocked to see him with a full beard at our 20th re-union - but he looked great - and so learned and wise with the beard - we told him so! He took our compliments in stride - such a gentleman. And at the next re-union I saw him at, he still had the beard and still looked wise and learned! And still had the same soft-spoken manner. He had such dignity and class. So glad I got a chance to see him again - we all thought so highly of Mike.
John Heagerty
Mike Donaldson and I met in Frank LaPorte's freshman history class in 1956. It was the start of a friendship that lasted until Mike died of esophageal and stomach cancer in July 1996, at age 53. Mike and I went to college together, both graduating from San Francisco State with bachelors' degrees in history. He was the Best Man in my wedding. For forty years, he and I shared infectious laughter accompanying wry, ironic humor; the trials and joys of early parenthood; the greatest sporting events of the late 20th century; the music of America--particularly the Blues; political protests and social upheavals, and, later, the pain of insurmountable losses. Mike cared for people. At Mike's wake, a nephew said whenever Mike asked him how he was, Mike always demanded, and got, a lot more than a one word or one sentence answer. Mike was a Renaissance Man before the term became popular.Mike's passing will linger until we meet again. I am comforted by the fact that our families have been connected for nearly fifty years, and the likelihood is that that legacy will endure.
I chuckle every so often when I remember how close Mike came to leaving O'Dowd in our senior year. He narrowly averted expulsion after being caught, literally with his pants down, smoking in the boy's bathroom below the gym by our Principal, Rev. James F. Maher. Mike's mother, "Murphy", quickly and successfully intervened a week or so later. 'Murph' pleaded for mercy; no doubt the weighted value of countless nightly Rosaries, ritually recited with Catholic radio before dinner by the Donaldson family of seven, had an important influence on Fr. Maher's decision to let Mike stay. Fortunately, Graduation Day arrived before Mike and Fr. Maher had a return encounter, either beneath the gym or anywhere else on campus.
Mike earned a Master's in history. He taught kindergarden in Berkeley Unified schools and history at the college level for over 10 years. He married twice, had five kids and was a successful real estate agent in Pollock Pines when he died. Mike was loved by almost everyone he ever encountered, even the late, great (above mentioned) Coach Frank, who humorously referred to both Mike and me as "Jellyfish", from the time we started O'Dowd until we graduated. Mike leaves his wife, Leticia Reyna-Donaldson, three daughters, two sons, many relatives and countless friends.
Mike Donaldson is greatly missed.
Joy Parlett (Furtado)
Mike was another neighbor and grammar school classmate that we lost way too soon. He was a nice, hard-working guy, and it was just great seeing him at the two re-unions that I attended. Same good guy - I remember we were shocked to see him with a full beard at our 20th re-union - but he looked great - and so learned and wise with the beard - we told him so! He took our compliments in stride - such a gentleman. And at the next re-union I saw him at, he still had the beard and still looked wise and learned! And still had the same soft-spoken manner. He had such dignity and class. So glad I got a chance to see him again - we all thought so highly of Mike.