Michael William Mitchell

Michael William Mitchell

September 26, 1948 - October 05, 2019
Walnut CA

Michael William Mitchell

September 26, 1948 - October 05, 2019
Walnut CA

Obituary

Michael William Mitchell passed away October 5, 2019.

Husband to Gisela Aguilar-Mitchell.
Father to Alejandro Miguel Mitchell.

Son of Lorraine Mitchell.
Brother to Patricia Chase.
Uncle to Melinda Queen. Her children Colin, Elizabeth and Madeline.
Uncle to Melissa Carter.
Uncle to Peter Bedford. His daughter Cynthia.

Loved by the Aguilar Family.
Russ and Lus.
Armando, his children Timothy and Casandra.
Oscar and Jeff Smith.
Saul and Larry Bloustein.

He taught English at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.

He enjoyed golfing and tennis, traveling across the United Stated on his summer vacations.

Most of all he loved Notre Dame Football.

Go, Irish!   Go, Michael!

Will be buried at Riverside National Cemetery, October 17, 2019 at 10:15am.

 

Graveside Service

  • Date & Time: October 17, 2019 (10:15 AM)
  • Venue: Riverside National Cemetery
  • Location: 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (951) 653-8417

No Charities & Donations

No Videos

8 responses to Michael William Mitchell

  1. Frank Ahern says:

    Michael was a great guy and I’ll miss him always. He loved his family. He loved Oregon. He loved Notre Dame. Michael touched many with his dry wit and friendly demeanor. He will always be remembered by his students when they hear any of these words: Holden Caulfield, J.D.. Salinger, and Catcher in the Rye. .

    Rest in Peace, Michael.

    Your cousin “Fran”

  2. Michael,

    I will cherish our beach walks together. I miss those times together. My Madi ahead of us and just catching up and being able to share our thoughts. Buying Lotto together, hoping for a better future for all of us. Breakfast afterwards, whether at my house or at a restaurant. I am so happy and thankful for the times we shared. Wish we could have discovered our relationship sooner. I know Gram (your Mom) was there in Heaven to welcome you! I love and miss you! Our entire family loved you and will miss you! Thank you for serving two tours in Vietnam for our country! Thank you for all the years of service as a teacher at Garfield High School. Your commitment and service are an inspiration to your family and all that you made an impact on ( so many students). Rest In Peace! You have made your family incredibly proud! We love you and will miss your presence here on earth!

  3. Michi says:

    To Mr. Mitchell’s family,

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Mitchell was a great man and an example to us all. I’ll always remember his passion for teaching, his love of the Irish, and the poetry he introduced me to during such a formidable time in my life. He had a profound effect on me, and I’ll be forever grateful for his time and enduring friendship.

    I can still recall my time as Mr. Mitchell’s student. His teaching style was unique and different than anything I had previously been exposed to in my high school career. He was modern, wanted us students to be deep thinkers, accept and believe in ourselves, and open our minds and hearts to meeting our full potential. Mr. Mitchell similarly encouraged us to question societal norms and traditional forms of thinking. He challenged us to push our limits and boundaries, beyond what felt familiar and comfortable, so we could “find our voice.” Above all, Mr. Mitchell allowed us a brief glimpse into his life and a window into his humanity each time he gave us a writing assignment.

    Mr. Mitchell was unassuming, humble, and always willing to give others a helping hand. I would often run into him on school campus coming back from helping the cafeteria ladies set up for lunch. He walked so fast and his arms would swing at his side yet he always made the time to greet us students with a smile. I can still vividly hear him say to me, “Good Morning Miss!”

    Mr. Mitchell’s time in the Vietnam War undoubtedly left him scarred but it didn’t get in the way of our friendship. He once confided in me that it was through our friendship he was able to work through some of his past personal issues. Mr. Mitchell and I also formed a special bond that transcended that of a typical teacher/student. He was a father figure to me during a time in which I greatly struggled through some traumatic experiences and he could understand, feel, and reflect my pain in times when I lacked the ability to articulate the words and emotions. He just “knew” and it was that “knowing” that continued to influence me throughout my young adulthood.

    Other personal recollections about Mr. Mitchell:

    His love of the Irish and the book Rudy:
    When other teachers taught “the classics,” we were reading Rudy in our English class. Rudy taught my class and I that when faced with challenges, you must persevere through the struggles. Never give up, be resourceful, and find a way to meet your end goal.

    Dead Poets Society and the poetry from the movie:
    Mr. Mitchell modeled his teachings after Dead Poets Society. He had us memorize the poetry from the film. Once, he had all of us stand on top of his desk and look around (just like the scene in the movie). Mr. Mitchell wanted us to realize that there could be more than 1 life perspective or life path. A few of us often referred to him as “Oh captain, my captain” after reading this novel and watching the movie because of the thinking he inspired in us.

    Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
    Old Time is still a-flying;
    And this same flower that smiles today
    Tomorrow will be dying.

    – To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time By: Robert Herrick

    Two roads diverged in a wood, and I”
    I took the one less traveled by,
    And that has made all the difference.

    – Robert Frost

    Of Mice and Men: Mr. Mitchell loved this book and movie. I remember he had us write an “extra ending chapter” after we finished reading the novel. He wanted us to use our imagination and picture what it was like to be in someone else’s shoes. He told me to consider writing children’s books in the future. He always encouraged me.

    Chess: He would open his classroom for students to play chess during nutrition or lunch breaks, but I would always sit there and talk to him. It was “the girls” and “the boys” who stayed in the classroom. It was a haven for us “misfits.”

    12 Angry Men: After reading 12 Angry Men (post OJ trial), Mr. Mitchell had us participate in a mock jury selection panel. He designated two lawyers and everyone else in the class was a member of the jury pool. I remember I was asked some jury selection questions (and at the time, I did not watch the nightly news, so I had no clue about current events or have a strong opinion on most matters). Our “lawyer”/ classmate was frustrated with me but Mr. Mitchell came up to me and said I was the “perfect juror.” He told me I was “unbiased” and that if he was ever in trouble, he would want me on his jury. I still smile to this day when I think of this memory.

    My senior year of high school – 1999: I wanted to honor Mr. Mitchell for all he had done for me and my fellow students, so I nominated him for the “Teacher of the Year” award at the CSF (California Scholarship Federation) awards banquet. It meant so much to me that I could give a small token of appreciation back to him. I wrote and gave this speech expressing my deepest gratitude to him in front of the crowd. The “boys” screamed Mr. Mitchell’s name in the background as he received his award. It was a special night for him and I remember all of us standing up and calling him “Oh captain, my captain.” Mr. Mitchell once told me – years later – that he kept this speech, so it might be found among his personal belongings one day? At least that’s my hope!

    Mr. Mitchell was kind, an inspirational human being, a grand man and role model, and the best teacher I ever had during my time at James A. Garfield Senior High School. I will never forget him!

    With deepest condolences,
    -Michi Kim

  4. Allex Moran says:

    Mr. Mitchell taught us that we we’re more than meat children. He respectfully addressed us as Sir and Miss. That is a lesson that I have always kept with me. In return I refer to my kids and students as sir and Miss. I graduated from GHS (go Bulldogs) over 30yrs ago. I just heard news about Mr Mitchell and I am greatly grieved. He was one hell of a teacher. RIP

Reply to a Condolence Cancel reply

Choose a Candle