MITCH SANDERS
The Universal Friend, 1955-2015
CORONADO – When times get tough, we become dependent on certain mainstays of life – people or places that are constant, unvarying; things you can count on. Mitch Sanders was one of those unwavering factors; someone you could always count on. And he greeted every person and every situation with a smile.
In his 60 years of life, Mitch celebrated the many communities to which he belonged. To his final day he had friends from his high school family; he maintained relationships with his Chart House family; he stayed in touch with the fire department family he so dearly loved, as well as the motorcycle community. Most of all, he immersed himself in his own family – wife Michelle, daughter Alex and son Ryan.
Mitchell Kevin Sanders died September 19 of a heart attack. There was no warning, no hint the end was near. He was 60. As Irving Berlin said, “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” And so it is with Mitch Sanders, the universal friend.
Born in Northridge, California March 25, 1955 to George and Carolyn Sanders, Mitch was the older of two children. His father, a World War II Army veteran, had built a civilian life as a successful jeweler.
The family began coming to Coronado in 1964 so the children could experience the beach. They stayed at the Hotel del Coronado – in the Marilyn Monroe cottages along the edge of the sand. Mitch’s father booked the little cottages every holiday for years.
“I met Mitch for the first time about then,” said Craig Warriner, a lifelong friend. “He was staying at the Del cottages and my parents were members of the Beach & Tennis Club at the Del. Mitch and I attended George’s Day Camp together.”
Former Olympic medalist George Griffiths ran George’s Day Camp. Children attending the camp were taught water safety, hobby crafts and gymnastics. It was a no-nonsense form of day-care for children of hotel guests and local residents.
“Mitch and I were only about ten at the time,” said Warriner, “but we quickly became partners in crime. I remember once we captured a baby sand shark and carried it up to the saltwater pool. We dropped the shark into the pool and all hell broke loose.
“People began screaming, lifeguards were blowing their whistles. We ran, but were ultimately caught and forced to sit in the corner of George’s workshop the rest of the day. That was typical of Mitch’s humor and the sort of trouble we got into as kids growing up in Coronado.”
In 1968 the Sanders family moved to Coronado fulltime and Mitch’s father established the Coronado Jewelry and Loan at 924 Orange Avenue, which he operated for eight years. Before long they bought a home on Alameda Boulevard.
From an early age Mitch was popular with his peers. He loved motorcycles and competed throughout San Diego County with great success. Later in life, he shared that passion with his own children, and watched son Ryan succeed in that highly competitive arena.
He loved the outdoors and loved the beach. Mitch graduated from Coronado High School in 1973 with a shaggy head of hair and surf knots on his knees. The Coronado community had adopted him. That same year he started work at the Brigantine Restaurant as a dishwasher and busboy in what was to become a long relationship with the food industry.
Shortly thereafter he went to work at the Coronado Chart House. Mitch rose quickly through the system, eventually becoming general manager of the popular San Diego Rowing Club Chart House. He also worked at the Redondo Beach Chart House.
His entire life Mitch had held a fascination with the fire department. As a young boy, these were the heroes who captured his imagination. In 1985 he began volunteering at the Imperial Beach Fire Department and at the San Diego Burn Institute.
Before long Mitch became a Federal Firefighter and joined the crew at North Island Naval Air Station. Through hard work and with the admiration, respect and support of his co-workers, Mitch rose to become Station Captain and Battalion Chief, retiring from North Island in 2012.
“Mitch wasn’t the kind of guy who would tout his own personal success,” said Assistant Battalion Chief Stephen Elmer, “but I will tell you that he had a long and distinguished career as a firefighter, rising to the top of his profession during 27 years as a Federal Firefighter. We will all miss him.”
As his children began to grow and build their own adult lives, Mitch became restless with retirement. He started volunteering at Isle Surf in Chula Vista and became so popular with staff and customers that they created a paid position for him there.
Stand Up Paddling became his sport and he could frequently be found on Glorietta Bay with his daughter Alex, for a sunset paddle on their SUPs, or just enjoying the morning glass and some special father-daughter time together. Mitch relished that.
“He would come home from paddling laughing,” said his wife Michelle. “He would say, ‘Paddling with Alex is great. There’s no where for her to escape to when she doesn’t like what I’m telling her.’”
The response to Mitch’s passing has flooded Facebook. Hundreds of people took time to recall a special memory, share a picture or just grieve publicly. Aside from shock and disbelief at his sudden passing, the gist of the messages included “best friend,” “always had a smile for me,” “Coronado will never be the same,” and, “I loved him dearly.”
Truly, Mitch Sanders had won his own legion of admirers in his short time here on earth, and they came from a wide variety of communities.
Humor was ever-present in the Sanders’ family. Mitch and Michelle, while dating, began a tradition of staging humorous photo booth photos at the Del Mar Fair. Every year they added to that collection. When they had children, the photo sessions reached an entirely new level of silliness and fun.
Mitch was so very proud of his son and daughter. He showered them with love. Whether they wanted it or not, he stayed close to them throughout their teen years, never holding back, advising when he saw fit (which was just about all the time), regardless of the reaction he received.
He was frank and bold with fatherly advice and, in the end, he lived to see his children both grow to be wonderful young adults. They will go through life knowing that he may be gone, but that his love for them will last forever.
Mitch’s son Ryan received a job offer from the San Diego Federal Fire Department just two days before Mitch’s passing. It was one of Mitch’s proudest moments in life to know his son would follow in his footsteps. To say he died a happy man is an understatement.
Mitch Sanders is survived by his wife Michelle and his sister Dani Sanders (husband Randy Leach) of Coronado; daughter Alexandra and son Ryan, both of Coronado.
A Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.-noon. The event will be held at Glorietta Bay Park, between the Municipal Pool and the rowing club, and begins with a Federal Fire Department tribute, followed by a brief service (led by Pastor Jim Robeson) that will invite testimonials from friends and family.
Following that, a paddle-out will take place on Glorietta Bay for a scattering of ashes. It will involve SUPs, surfboards and a variety of small watercraft. Dress will be casual beach attire. Limited seating will be available so guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs.
In honor of Mitch and two things he held dear, Coronado and firefighting, a scholarship has been established in his name at Coronado High School. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior (boy or girl) pursuing a degree or career in firefighting or fire sciences.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mitch Sanders Scholarship Fund to perpetuate his love for the Fire Department, and to encourage young people to pursue this profession. Donations can be made by mail or online but must specifically direct the donation to “the Mitch Sanders Scholarship Fund” in writing. All donations are tax-deductible.
Please make checks payable to the Coronado Schools Foundation and note “Mitch Sanders Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to the Coronado Schools Foundation at 201 Sixth St., Coronado, CA 92118. For online donations go to the Mitch Sanders Scholarship Fund website.
