Michael Workman

Michael Fiske Workman, 73, passed away on 29 December, 2012 at his home in Santa Cruz. He was born on 03 November, 1939 in Muskegon, MI, to Marvin and Nona Jean Fiske Workman. Michael grew up in Twin Lake and Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from Muskegon High School in 1958. After high school, he attended the University of Michigan for one year before enlisting in the US Army, and attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, before leaving the US for Germany, where he served the remainder of his military service. He married Vista Jean Schafer from Pacific Grove, CA in 1962. Their son Kurt was born in Munich just before they separated from the Army. After some time in Europe and on the east coast working in a friend'?s motorcycle shop, Michael and Vista made their way back to California, where they both started work at Pacific Telephone in Monterey. Michael and Vista divorced but remained good friends. It was while attending a telephone company school in West Chicago, IL, that Michael met Clare Jamieson, who would become his second wife in 1974. He especially loved being a part of '''the Jamieson gang''?.Michael & Clare went on to work at positions in Salinas, the Bay Area, Dublin, OH, and spent 9 years in Europe working to implement and then manage the first private cellular network in Germany. During retirement, Michael enjoyed his grandchildren and traveling near and far, especially the family vacations he sponsored every year. His rheumatoid arthritis slowed him down, but he fought a good fight to the end. Michael was an avid photographer and leaves a large body of incredible work. His winning smile, accompanied by that devil may care twinkle will be eternally missed. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Henry and Nona Jean Fiske Workman, and his brother Paul Marvin Workman.Michael is survived by his spouse Clare of Santa Cruz, CA and his former wife Vista Pickett, also of Santa Cruz; his sons Kurt (Melissa) Workman, Joe Workman, and Dave Ellis of Santa Cruz, CA; his brother David (Emily) Workman of Ann Arbor, MI; his grandchildren Kai and Niko Workman of Santa Cruz, Marie Ellis of Royal Oaks, Madeline Callahan Workman of Santa Cruz and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.Since Michael did not participate in organized religion, he will be memorialized with a '''Celebration of Life''? at Michael'?s on Main in Soquel, CA on May 18th at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz. The family would like to thank the offices of Dr. Laura Likar, Dr. Lester Miller, Dr. Nicholas Niven, Dr. Beata Mach, the staff at PAMF Urgent Care, Dominican Hospital, VNA, and Hospice of Santa Cruz. We would especially like to thank Saul, Cristina, Adriano, Carlos and Frank who work with Florence Kuo'?s Home Care for the kind and gentle care they gave Michael during his last days.Smart Cremation providing services