Remembering Marcus ("Mickey") Hollenberg : 2019

Mick's Memorial at Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz CA (August 2, 2019)

August 2, 2019 at 10:30am USA Pacific time:
A small contingent of close friends & family gathered together at Natural Bridges beach in Santa Cruz, CA to honor, remember and celebrate the life of Marcus "Mickey" Hollenberg.

A memorial ceremony was held on the beach near the water where everyone had a chance to write their own messages for Mickey onto a paper "leaf" that was placed into a floating paper flower. The bottom of the flower carried a small vessel containing a small and symbolic amount of the ashes. After the ceremony, the flower was released into the waves under the arches of the rock structure that was one of his favorite places.

Hand-blown glass bottle (for carrying the ashes) specially created for the occasion by Cary Hollenberg

Adam and Nina, Mickey's son and daughter, led a symbolic ritual of honoring and releasing his physical presence on Earth and scattering ashes to the elements, and then slowly walked into the ocean carrying the flower to float out into the sea.

There was a toast to Mickey's honor afterward with cups of sparkling apple cider, and then a journey up the hill to downtown Santa Cruz where the group met for brunch at Zachary's.

left to right: Joseph, Adam, Steve, Nina, Das, Roy, Cary, Christy

Many stories were shared by all, and there was even a surprise gift from one of Mick's friends, Roy from Waukegan IL, who presented photocopies of the original menu and adverts from the restored ice cream soda fountain, the Cocobanana, which was part of the Rexall pharmacy Mickey owned in the 1970s, Druce Drug, Co.

The painting (above) was a gift from Roy that he had saved all the years since Mick had his pharmacy in Waukegan - the painting is a watercolor that Roy's father painted from sketches after Roy and Mickey had come up with the basic design for restoring the old ice cream soda fountain...

Adam, Roy and Nina after lunch at Zachary's (Santa Cruz, CA)

Our warmest and most heartfelt thanks to all the family and friends who were able to gather on this special occasion, and who traveled from faraway places just for this day to remember our Dad together on the beach that he loved so very much. Also extended thanks to those who joined remotely and contributed thoughts and lightbeams during the ceremony. It was a gorgeous and auspicious day, with brilliant weather and highly magical atmosphere on that beach (Mickey would have loved it!). Such a joyous occasion at the brunch celebrating all sorts of interesting connections and friendships that continue to this day. Adam and I are so very touched that our Dad's heart and unique sense of character could be honored in such a highly memorable way. ~Nina

Mick’s Picks II: Later Years (1970s-1980s) / music mix

from Nina Hollenberg:

A collection of my Dad's favorite music from the later years (1970s through the 1980s) when he listened to quite a stealthy array of rock music, ranging from psychedelic to progressive to new wave. I created this mix out of love & remembrance for Fathers Day 2019.

Marcus "Mickey" Hollenberg (April 3rd, 1939 - Feb 26th, 2019).
🙌 ✨💛

love & remembrance,

Nina

Mick’s Picks II: Later Years (1970s-1980s)
https://www.mixcloud.com/ninahpixie/micks-picks-ii-1970s-1980s/

More gems from the photo treasure trove....

From Nina Hollenberg:

More gems from the photo treasure trove.... found these two among thousands of images that I've been digitizing from my Grandmother's collection... golden years, priceless memories (so much love and happiness.... such a gift)

Months now since Dad passed, but somehow, essentially, there is a closeness that feels much more intense than what memories of the past can hold.

He was a special person and unique parent... these early photos of him smiling and in family mode really shine.

Posting here for my brother, cousins, close friends and loved ones who knew him... in honor of Fathers Day 2019.

🙌 ✨💛

love & remembrance,

Nina

pictured here: my father, mother, my grandfather, my aunt (mom's sis), me, my grandmother, my brother and my uncle during a backyard birthday barbeque (probably my birthday since the weather looks like summertime), early 1970s.

pictured here: my mother, father, myself and younger brother... taken during Winter time at a family holiday dinner at my grandparent's place in Chicago (early 1970s)

Mick’s Picks: The Early Years (1950s-1970s) / music mix

from Nina Hollenberg:

Today would have been my Dad’s 80th birthday, so I’ve been in the process of creating some musical mixes in his honor, starting with the early years spanning tunes from the 1950s through the 1970s that he really loved. I’m working on a second one that will have his faves from the later eras late 1970s through the 1990s. He didn’t get to listen to much music in the millennial years due to hearing loss, but we definitely talked about it all the time :)

🙌 🎂 🍰🎈🎉 ✨💛

love & remembrance,

Nina

Mick’s Picks: The Early Years (1950s-1970s)
https://www.mixcloud.com/ninahpixie/micks-picks-the-early-years-1950s-1970s/

January 2019

One last smiling photo Mickey sent to his daughter Nina in a text message (January 2019)

Visit to Dimond Park / May 2018

Mickey sitting under his favorite tree at Dimond Park (he lived right next-door to this park for 7 years before he relocated to the care home, and would walk there every day, talk to his neighbors, watch birds and listen to his beloved creek (which was visible and audible from his apartment window, especially enjoyable during warmer months where he could leave the window open to see and hear it).

Mickey waves hello to Nina as she takes a few pics....

Telling another tale while Nina takes more photos (Dimond Park, 2018)

Nina with Mickey (Dimond Park, 2018)

Here are a couple of videos we took that day in the park:

http://ollapodrida.net/mickey/me_dad_may2018_dimond_park_01.mp4

http://ollapodrida.net/mickey/me_dad_may2018_dimond_park_02.mp4

Adam visited for a few days and we all went to Dimond Park and enjoyed some sunny days together (Aug. 2018)

Collected photos / California 2010 - 2016

Nina and Mickey, Oakland 2010

Mickey adopted Cowboy from a rescue shelter in 2013 while he was still living on his own in his apartment near Dimond Park in Oakland. Unfortunately later in the year, Mick fell ill, was hospitalized, then relocated to a nearby skilled care facility where he spent the remaining years. Cowboy was adopted by a colleague of Das' who works at the Alameda library (Lita). She would frequently send Mickey photos of Cowboy to keep him updated on things. This always made him very happy (he loved that cat quite a lot). Remarkably, as we found out later, Cowboy and Mick passed away within a couple of weeks of each other.

Note from Nina: they were definitely connected from the start-- I was at the shelter with Dad when he asked to hold Cowboy, and it was instant love-- Cowboy stood up on his hind legs on Dad's lap facing him, put both paws on either side of his head and nuzzled him. I'm glad they had even that short time together - it was very healing for Dad and he loved having the companionship. ♡

Nina and Mickey, Oakland 2014

Mick's favourite game: Acey-Deucey (playing with Nina, Oakland 2015)

Nina brought along some chai tea and pastries while they played some games in the outside courtyard of Mick's care home (nice sunny day) / Oakland 2015