WATSON, Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent Watson, 47, of Mesa, AZ passed away May 24, 2003 after a two-year battle with advanced cancer. He was born September 6, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY. For the past 24 years Mike was very well known in the video and broadcast industry. In 1984, he moved to California as a regional sales manager and eventually became President of L.I.M.T. He was employed for the past two years by Pinnacle Systems, Inc. of Mountain View, CA as a business development manager. Mike and his family relocated to Mesa in April 2002 to be closer to his wife's family. He and his wife, LaRae of thirteen years have two children. Marshal, 11, who received the gift of music from his father will be in the 6th grade and is a talented piano player. Christopher, 8, who received the gift of humor from his father will be in 3rd grade and is the family entertainer. Mike, the eternal optimist, joined forces with his wife LaRae and fought back at the grim diagnosis of cancer, by combining alternative and traditional medicine. In spite of his rapid decline in the past 6 weeks, we are thankful for the quality of life he had up until this time. Mike was also an accomplished guitar player and enjoyed playing at Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Mesa. Other survivors include his father Larry Watson (NY), mother Rose Straggi (CA), Carmen Lopez, grandmother, and brothers Larry and Eric Watson (NY), plus numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Others mourning his loss are his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Orice and Eleanor Pawluk. His wife's sisters and brothers mourning his loss include Linda (Dean) Raabe, Peggy Pawluk, Ken (June) Pawluk, Bob (Alvina) Pawluk, Sue (Jim) Wolcott, Shelly Luna, plus numerous nieces and nephews. The family is very thankful to Hospice of the Valley for their caring and dedication in Mike's final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to Hospice of the Valley, 6063 E. Arbor Avenue, Mesa AZ 85206, or to Marshal and Christopher's college funds at Wells Fargo Bank. A memorial service to honor Mike's life will be held May 31st, at 7 p.m. in the chapel at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 612 S. Ellsworth Rd, Mesa AZ. Published on 5/28/2003 East Valley Tribune Mesa AZ