Honoring a Quiet Warrior: Remembering the Life and Spirit of Michael Avelar
In Loving Memory of Michael Avelar (1983–2025)
This obituary honors the life of Michael Avelar, of McKinleyville, who passed away on at the age of 42, after living for many years with Machado Joseph’s Disease (also known as Machado-Joseph disease). Born on , in Arcata to Henry and his family, Michael’s story is one of courage, quiet strength, and enduring love.
While no words can truly capture a full life, this remembrance offers a space to reflect on who Michael was, the challenges he faced, and the legacy he leaves behind in the hearts of those who loved him.
Early Life and Roots in Arcata and McKinleyville
Michael was born in Arcata in 1983 to his parents, Henry and family, and grew up amid the redwoods and coastal air of Humboldt County. Those who knew him describe a person who combined a thoughtful quietness with a sharp sense of humor and a deep loyalty to the people he cared about.
As a child and young adult, Michael’s life was woven into the daily fabric of the North Coast: school, friends, family gatherings, and time spent outdoors. The communities of Arcata and McKinleyville gave him not only a place to live, but a sense of belonging that would carry him through his later years as his health changed.
- Strong roots in Arcata and McKinleyville
- Close connection with his parents and extended family
- A quiet but memorable presence among friends and neighbors
Living with Machado Joseph’s Disease
For many years, Michael lived with Machado Joseph’s Disease (MJD), a rare, inherited neurological condition that gradually affects movement, balance, and coordination. It is a form of spinocerebellar ataxia and, as of today, there is no known cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preserving quality of life for as long as possible.
Navigating a long-term, progressive illness demands a kind of daily courage that often goes unseen. Michael met this reality with resilience, supported by his family and community. While the disease shaped many aspects of his later life, it did not fully define who he was.
“People living with ataxias like Machado-Joseph disease often show remarkable adaptability. With the right support, many continue to nurture meaningful relationships and maintain a strong sense of identity despite physical losses.”
— Adapted from current neurology and ataxia care guidelines
The Heart of Who He Was
Those closest to Michael remember not just the challenges he faced, but the warmth, humor, and perspective he brought into the room. Even as the disease progressed, his personality—his way of listening carefully, his dry jokes, his clear love for family—continued to shine through.
In sharing stories about Michael, friends and family often highlight the small, everyday moments: a conversation on a quiet evening, a shared meal, a favorite show watched together. These are the threads that, woven together, reveal the depth of his character.
- A steady, grounded presence for loved ones
- A capacity to find meaning in ordinary days
- A reminder that dignity is not lost to illness
Family, Community, and Quiet Acts of Care
Behind every person living with a long-term illness stands a network of caregivers, advocates, and quiet helpers. Michael’s parents, including his father Henry, his family, and his wider community in McKinleyville and Arcata walked this road alongside him.
Their care—rides to appointments, shared laughter on difficult days, patient listening, and the simple decision to keep showing up—helped sustain Michael over the years. For many families in similar situations, this kind of ongoing support becomes a profound, if often unspoken, act of love.
Legacy and Remembrance
Michael’s passing at 42 is a profound loss to his family, friends, and the broader Humboldt County community. Yet his impact continues in the lives he touched, the resilience he modeled, and the memories that loved ones now hold close.
In remembering Michael, it may be less about grand achievements and more about the quiet ways he showed up for others, the patience he cultivated in the face of illness, and the love that flowed both to and from him, even on difficult days.
“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
— Helen Keller
Honoring Michael Through Action
For those inspired by Michael’s life and his journey with Machado Joseph’s Disease, one meaningful way to honor his memory is to support others facing similar diagnoses. This can be as simple as checking in on a neighbor who is a caregiver, or learning more about rare neurological conditions and the families affected by them.
- Offer practical and emotional support to caregivers in your community.
- Learn about ataxia and related conditions through trusted organizations.
- Advocate for accessible, inclusive communities that support people with disabilities.
While nothing can replace Michael himself, continuing acts of compassion in his honor ensure that the spirit of his life lives on in tangible, healing ways.
A Gentle Farewell
To Michael’s family, friends, and all who knew him in Arcata, McKinleyville, and beyond: may this be a small space of remembrance and gratitude. May you find comfort in shared stories, in moments of quiet reflection, and in the knowledge that Michael’s life—though marked by illness—was also marked by courage, connection, and love.
As you carry his memory forward, may it be as a steady, guiding presence—one that reminds you to hold each other close, to be gentle with yourselves in grief, and to keep noticing the small, meaningful moments that make a life.
