Michael Gavin

Michael Gavin passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer and other health issues. A true SoCal, he was born in Long Beach and he died in Long Beach. His life was a beautiful circle and anyone who was lucky enough to meet Mike Gavin inside that circle felt the sunny warmth of his smile, the joyous ring of his laughter, and the hope and courage he brought to the difficult moments in life. He was humble and humane and completely dedicated to his family.

Mike was the youngest of four children born to Edward Gavin and Bernadette Trudeau, who were founding members of St. Barnabas Parish in Long Beach. After working for many years as a gandy dancer on the railroad, Edward became a pharmacist and eventually opened Gavin's Drugs, on Long Beach Boulevard. Edward died suddenly in 1961, when Mike was sixteen. Later, both his older brothers, Tony and Pat, would die young from heart attacks. They were his best friends and heroes. Despite these early tragedies, Mike never lost his natural warmth and optimism. If anything these hardships only drove home the importance of friendship and family.

Mike graduated from Long Beach Poly in 1963, a true "scholar and champion" who remained a lifelong fan of the school's athletic programs. He spent three years at St. Mary's College in Moraga, making a number of friendships that would last through the decades. He left school after the death of his brother, Tony, and was soon drafted into the army. Though he had misgivings about the war in Vietnam, Mike served bravely, from December 1967 to November 1968, as a recon sergeant with the "Jungle Warriors" of the 11th Infantry Brigade. He always remained proud of his service, but also understood how lucky he was to come home.

Back in Long Beach as a civilian, he answered a classified ad to work the order desk at a toilet seat factory. After a year in the jungle, he mainly just wanted to work someplace with air conditioning. This fateful decision set in motion a legendary career as a plumbing salesman. For decades, he drove all over Southern California, calling on plumbers and wholesalers, and earning a reputation as an honest and hilarious salesman who always did the right thing for his customers. He took the job seriously, but never himself, and through the inevitable boom and bust of the salesman's life, he had a blast with the friends he made throughout the industry.

Family was the most important thing in Mike's life. In 1972, he went on a blind date with Barbara Byrne, a nurse's assistant who had grown up in Massachusetts. It went well. They shared a Catholic upbringing, a wicked sense of humor, and the wish to start a family. Eventually, Mike and Barbara married and settled in Orange, CA, where they raised their three children, Shannon, Jim, and Kelsey. In 1983, the Gavins used their entire savings to put a pool in the backyard, the greatest gift ever. No price can ever be put on those perfect summer days, playing in the pool and watching dad launch into one of his epic cannonballs. Mike was deeply supportive of all his children. He helped with their school projects,  coached their teams, and more than anything he filled their lives with love and laughter. He was a dedicated husband to Barbara, and when she fell ill with cancer, he provided an example of love and care that none of his children will ever forget. Her death in 2004 was painful for everyone, but it only brought Mike and his children closer together.

Eventually, Mike came home to Long Beach. In 2012, he married Theresa MacAller, another true SoCal, and for the next decade they lived together in his hometown. They shared many wonderful adventures together, traveling around the country to National Parks and areas of historical interest. Mike became a beloved and integral part of Theresa's large extended family. In retirement, he played lots of bad golf at the local muni courses, cheered on the Pac-12 against the hated SEC, and after many years as a member of the Ancient and Benevolent Order of the Lynx, he became the Sovereign Protector of Lodge 49 in Long Beach. His portrait will hang on the wall for eternity.

We will miss all the little things that made Mike Gavin so unique. He had a gift for language, knocking out crosswords in pen and throwing out an endless store of quotes from his favorite books and movies. His memory was astonishing. A walking encyclopedia of sports and cinema, he could tell you who won every batting title since WWII and the name of every forgotten character actor who ever got shot in a western. He passed down to his kids an abiding love for great comedies, and some of the warmest memories we have are those countless nights sitting around the couch, laughing our heads off at Cheers or whatever Bill Murray movie we rented that night. Most of all, Mike Gavin was a kind man. He hated bullies and charlatans and each day he lived his life in quiet opposition to those arrogant and miserable men who mistake money for success and cruelty for strength.

Mike once said of his own father that his essential memory of the man was the way everyone around him always seemed to be smiling and laughing. We can say the same thing about Mike Gavin. This is a rare and precious gift and one that his family will always treasure.

Mike is predeceased by his parents, Edward and Bernadette; by his brothers Tony and Pat, and his sister Margaret; and by his first wife, Barbara. He is survived by his second wife, Theresa; his children, Shannon, Jim, and Kelsey; and his son-in-law, Chad.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in Michael Gavin's name to the American Cancer Society.