Michael Shelly Rosenthal passed away after a lengthy battle with Renal cell carcinoma. He was 56.
A native Angeleno, Michael was born at County General Hospital, though he was fond of telling everyone he was conceived in Chicago. One of Michael’s happiest memories of Los Angeles in the ’60s was when the Helms bakery truck delivered warm donuts to local neighborhoods on Saturday mornings. He loved riding his bike around town with friends, and once, while sharing a bike with several friends, a car crashed into them, which sent everyone flying.
He moved to Pacific Palisades as a teenager, and graduated from Paul Revere and Pali. He went on to California State University, Stanislaus, and later graduated from California State University, Chico, where he majored in Political Science.
A successful businessman for many years, Michael began the Santa Monica Mirror in 1999. For Michael, the Mirror was all about community service. It was important to him that the paper was a forum for everyone. Early on, Michael, a true Renaissance man, took lots of pictures and had a business column. In his Publisher’s Notebook he told it like he saw it, and was never concerned about expressing a strong opinion that some might not agree with. He was the heart of the Mirror.
He was a terrific athlete, and though he excelled in all sports, was partial to basketball.
Michael was proud of his various injuries – he lost his finger while hopping a fence at Castle Heights Elementary School to play basketball; he had his appendix taken out; he broke his collarbone playing football; and sprained an ankle more than once while shooting hoops.
An avid lover of the outdoors, Michael spent a lot of time camping throughout California and the West. He knew all the best camping spots, and was quick to share that knowledge with others. Michael cherished the time he spent in his various RV’s. He enjoyed boogie boarding and body surfing. Michael loved spending time on his buddy’s farm in Portland, Oregon, and would spend hours roaming outdoors, checking out the berries and the beautiful setting.
His warmth, kindness, good humor, and generosity were endless, and Michael collected a diverse group of friends throughout his life. He was equally comfortable in a business meeting or ranching in Wyoming. In a world where people are increasingly interested only in themselves, Michael always wanted to hear about other peoples’ lives, interests, thoughts, and opinions.
He believed in medical marijuana and saving the Ficus trees in Santa Monica.
Michael loved science fiction and politics.
He made the best waffles.
Though always happy with life, Michael was never happier than when he became a father, in 2001.
Michael always thought the glass was half-full, up until the end.
Michael was all about love…
for his family and friends…
for nature and the outdoors…
for cooking…
for the Dodgers and the Lakers…
for sharing ideas…
for business…
for gardening…
for farmers’ markets…
for Santa Monica and the Palisades…
for reading…
for his dogs…
Michael is survived by his son Dylan, wife Laurie, father Carl, sister Marcia Kaye (Steven), nephews Bryan and Jason Kaye, and many more beloved family members and lifelong friends. His mother, Geraldine, predeceased him.
