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