Michael Irving Green

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Mike Green passed away within weeks of his wife Sue after 58 years of marriage. This Eagle Scout graduated from competitive Stuyvesant High School in New York then U of Alabama. Enigmatic and charismatic Mickey won awards for his acting in New York before moving to Palo Alto, marrying Sue and starting the family. The family lived in Detroit 1963 - 1974 while Mike earned his PhD in physics from Wayne State University. The family returned to California in 1974 and settled in Orinda where Mike and Sue lived for 43 years during Mike's career at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. He flew sailplanes well into his 80's, spending thousands of hours soaring above California and Nevada using signature call sign Mighty Gorilla (MG), as well as competing in cross-country contests nationwide. Always a character and enjoying being the center of attention, he performed in over 30 plays in local theater after retirement.
Mike lived a full and rewarding life as a quirky, clever, bigger-than-life guy who reached for it all-- tempered by his gentle, charming and unflaggingly loyal sidekick Sue, a queen in her own right. They both worked hard to excel and prosper, while being ahead of their time on social issues.
Son of Herman and Sylvia (Silverman) Green, Mike is survived by children Debbie Wiesenthal (Steve) and Bill Green (Marnie Jubelirer), grandsons Ethan & Jason Green and Zach & Miles Wiesenthal, sister Betty Appleton and many cousins in Chicago and New York. Donations may be made to Wayne State University, https://giving.wayne.edu/donate, In Memory Of Michael Green/Physics.
Friends and Family are invited to attend a celebration of life 6:00 pm on September 1 at 2 Wanda Way in Martinez. Email DebbieZumba@gmail.com to RSVP.