Obituary Guest Book Michael, Michael, Michael, Im not ready to say goodbye old... - Bill Chappelear View Sign Michael Villarreal 1953-2013 Resident of Santa Cruz Michael Villarreal died suddenly of a heart attack in the early morning of November 2, 2013. He was 60 years old. Born Michael Jon Villarreal in Sacramento on April 23, 1953, he had lived in Santa Cruz since the early 1980s. He was involved in the art and music communities in the area and was recognized as a creative and talented graphic designer, painter, illustrator, singer/songwriter and guitarist. Michael spent his young life growing up in Concord, California. His gift for art and music showed early and remained one of the strong forces that shaped his life. By his teen years he was painting, drawing and playing gigs with local bands. He attended classes at the Art Institute of San Francisco before moving to Chico in the late 1970s. During his years in Chico, a city which Michael loved, he studied art and graphic design at Butte College and CSU, Chico. His musical talents brought him into the circle of the best musicians in the area, and he played in and led several bands before moving to Santa Cruz in the early1980s. He was a steadfast friend to many he met in Chico, and he would return to spend time with them often over the past 30 years. In Santa Cruz for over thirty years, Michael worked for the Santa Cruz Advertising and Design Group, became the art director for the Good Times newspaper, and then served as the art director for Growing Up in Santa Cruz. His career also included art director positions in the Silicon Valley and in Monterey. He continued his education and received a degree in graphic design from CSU, San Jose. Much of his privately-contracted graphic design work can be seen in store logos and publication designs throughout the Santa Cruz area. Michael created paintings and drawings throughout his life. In the past year he had decided to focus solely on painting as his main artistic pursuit. In October he entered, for the first time, the Santa Cruz Open Studios Art Tour, and was able to introduce many people to his wonderful artistic talent. As a result of the remarkable showing and success of his work during the Open Studios event he was asked to be interviewed on the local UCSC public radio show Artists on Art. He was pleased and proud of this recognition. Most recently he had opened a show at the Parish Pub in north Santa Cruz on November 1. Michael was well known in the local music scene. He performed with his own bands and was invited to sit in as a singer and guitarist with bands whenever he attended their local events. His prolific and powerful songwriting, which started back in his teen years, continued to the end of his life. His own songs number in the hundreds. Michael is survived by his partner, Yvonne Feistman; two daughters, Marisa Paloma Villarreal and Mia Lin Villarreal; a stepson, David Zachary Chinn; his mother, Sophie; three brothers, Bob, George, and Chris; and sisters, Christine and Teresa; and a large extended family. He is also survived by many, many friends who loved him and considered him as dear as family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to daughter Mias college fund:checks payable to College America. Put Mia Villarreal in the memo, then mail it to Jennifer Proudfoot, Mias mother, at Tierra Pacifica Charter School, 986 Bostwick Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on Nov. 6, 2013 Print | View Guest Book Helpful Links Additional Resources Donate to Charity How To Submit An Obituary Find Advice & Support Funeral Etiquette What to Say to the Bereaved Return to todays Death Notices for Santa Cruz Sentinel HideShare this obituary on Facebook Share Remember with My MemorialsShare this obituary on Twitter Twitter - See more at: legacy/obituaries/santacruzsentinel/obituary.aspx?n=michael-villarreal&pid=167884351#sthash.ojyzkCVp.dpuf
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 23:51:37 +0000
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