Michael Robert Parker Podesta passed away tragically on February 18, 2020 at 7pm.

Michael was raised in Lake Forest, California. He went to Rancho Canada Elementary School, Serrano Middle School and El Toro High School. He loved and participated in sports: the Dolphins Swim Team, Lake Forest Little League Baseball, and AYSO Soccer.

Michael was attending classes in the Culinary Arts at Saddleback College. For the past two years he was honing his skills at Splashes Restaurant at the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach, California.

Besides Michael’s passion for food, he also loved to travel and was looking forward to more culinary experiences in such places as Morocco, Portugal, France, Switzerland and maybe returning to Thailand.

For anyone who was not blessed to know Michael personally this is the best way to describe his soul:

From the time Michael was an infant, he was a content, happy, joyful boy. Regardless of some health issues while growing up that were physically visible which led to being self-conscious about his appearance and also lead to some childhood teasing, he overcame all of those things with grace. He grew up into a dignified caring young man.

Michael had a great sense of humor, a big warm loving heart, electrifying smile and a laughter that was contagious. Anyone who really knew him could see all these qualities; and all of those qualities Michael possessed touched and changed lives around him. There will always be a hole in our hearts that only he could fill.

Michael leaves behind his Father, David; Mother, Deborah; and his Sister, Madison. He is also survived by his Grandmother, Joanne; Aunt Tricia; Uncle Jeff; Cousins Allison and Amanda; and dear friends.

If you would like to order flowers, please contact Michelle at Lily Fiore Floral Artistry through the flower links on this page or by phone, 949-328-9694.

A block of rooms at the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach has been set aside for out of town guests. To make reservations, please contact: Misty Lindo ( mlindo@jcresorts.com ) or Angie Lyons ( alyons@jcresorts.com