Michael Andrew Ponsano was a passionate learner and shared knowledge generously. On June 13th, 2024, he left this Earth in the company of family, after battling cancer. His spirit ticks on in us all like the vintage clocks he maintained and cherished. 

Those close to Michael knew that to ask “what are you up to?” was to set 45 minutes aside as he shared the gift of explaining not just what he was working on, but how it works, who invented it, what it sounds like when it breaks (“ka-chunk-CHUNK”), and how we’re going about fixing it, together. And it always ends up as a together project, because that was his spirit; his joy to witness and participate in the miracle of it all—of science and light and life and wonder. This spark could draw anyone in. He inspired all around him to wonder why, how, and what if? 

As a young man, Michael was a handsome and talented trumpet player and drum major in the marching band at Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, CA. He married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Randall, in 1978 before joining the Air Force. They were stationed in England when their first two children, Angela and Nicholas, were born. While Michael served as a radar technician over the next four years, the family enjoyed exploring Western Europe and visiting family in England and France. 

After he was honorably discharged, they returned to the US and the family welcomed two more children, John and Jessica. From 1990, the family built their life in Eureka. Michael started the Ponsano Service Company, and became well known across the North Coast service industry thanks to his knack to Macgyver any emergency repair needed at beloved local restaurants. On a given day he would start early, perhaps making sure the oven range at The Whalers’ Inn in Fields Landing was firing, then driving up to Klamath Glen to ensure that the Steelhead Lodge’s fryer was up and running for the dinner rush, he’d swing by Rolf’s to check on the ice machine, make his way down to Arcata to add a quick fix to the 100 year old oven at Los Bagels, and finally back to Eureka, kickstarting the refrigerator compressor at Sea Grill before climbing into the oven at Ramone’s for repairs ahead of midnight baking.

In 2004, Michael met Christine Minnehan. The two fell deeply in love and married in 2008. Michael was overjoyed to formally adopt their son, Michael Minnehan. Michael spent the remainder of his years adding his artistic touch and exquisite taste to every inch of their home. He devoted hours of research to his painstaking rebuild of “Maggie,” his cherished MG. He delighted in building tools to manufacture parts for special projects. Michael’s touch on “Winnie,” the custom Winnebago, was key to his and Christine’s peaceful and solitary holidays in the mountains, where they would spend hours reading and relaxing.

As we say goodbye, we hold onto the curiosity he inspired in us. Our time on earth is a miracle, and Michael understood this as scientific fact. We honor him by approaching each beautiful moment with our own scientific minds of wonder. Never stop questioning, never stop exploring. Venture from the sidewalk and stroll in the grass. Savor. Insist on quality. Demand integrity. Eat the donuts. Both of them. Ride your bike to the river. Catch the fish for dinner tonight. Open the red wine you had been saving. It’s all for you, for the ones you love. Even when you don’t have much, you have it all.

Michael is mourned by his family, friends, neighbors, recipients of his perfected sourdough bread, dear cat Missy, and trusted friend Emmanuel Enriquez. 

Michael is survived by his wife Christine; his children Angela Ponsano, Nicholas Ponsano (Christine), John Ponsano (Heather), Jessica King (Arnold); his grandchildren; Lorraina, Miles-Dru, Rosabella, Mason, Haley, Ezra, Selkie, and Montague. He is preceded in death by his adopted son Michael Minnehan, and his brother Vincent Ponsano. 

Friends and acquaintances on the North Coast area are invited to a donut reception behind the duck pond in Sequoia Park on August 4th, at 3 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Michael’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.