Michael Canepa

Micheal Canepa died on December 26, 2023. His untimely death was unexpected. His children are in deep grief from losing one of their parents. He has a 12-year-old daughter Izzy and 22-year-old son Kian. His children were his world and reason (if you know Mike you understand the depth of love was fierce) and everything he had was for them.

This fund’s purpose is to ask for financial support to allow them to grieve at the home they shared together, without financial fears being a stressor. Additional funding will support counseling and medical needs while in transition and any unforeseen expenses that come while things are sorted financially without their father. Any additional funding to support the cost of end of life arrangements.

Mike was rich in life and love. The way he shared this with others in their time of need was always quiet- no asking for a return. If you can, please help return that support in anyway to his children. To give them time to not have to make tough decisions that are driven from financial impacts.

While full of life and adventure, in 2015 Mike’s health started to change. It was a long process to find out why he was getting sick. He was seen by many specialists to target what he was suffering from. After the long search he was diagnosed with A-typical thoracic ALS. Ultimately the nerve endings in his legs were impacted and his diaphragm paralyzed. He was one of the first people on the west coast to have an noninvasive ambulatory ventilator to sustain his life and freedom, saving him from invasive alternative options. Mike was given a 3-year life expectancy and he intended to live it to the fullest. That was not good enough for Mike. He embodied the strength, grit, and fight to stay on this earth with his children and the people he loved.

Mike moved from California to Oregon in 1997, earned a degree in IT Network Security in computer science while proudly creating a family that he loved unconditionally. He had a wild sense of humor & sarcasm not many could beat. Mike was an avid fisher with Kian, collector of comic books and eccentric finds found thrifting with Izzy, creating crafts, gardening, foodie of all foods. A true walking encyclopedia and knew a little of everything! Preferred to be paid in brownies or good conversation for fixing friends computers and even dabbled in fixing gaming consoles.

He enjoyed sharing his favorite memes, reels, and TikTok’s with his friends and family. He found joy in making others smile. He did this knowing some days it may have been their only smile provided by someone else. If unable to donate, please keep his children and loved ones in your prayers. Send positive energy, and peace as it’s hard to find- being a child and young adult experiencing the death of a parent.

**If local- you can also donate to the Michael Canepa Memorial fund at any OCCU Branch**