Canyon Ceman and Mike Whitmarsh were long-time friends and partnered together on the AVP Tour for several seasons.

The entire beach volleyball community converged to St. Therese Chapel in San Diego on Monday, February 23, to celebrate the life and mourn the tragic death, of Michael John Whitmarsh.

“Whitty” was a good man who gave of himself, a loving father, an energetic friend, a world-class athlete, a fierce and respected competitor, and a winner who made those around him better and more joyful in volleyball and in life.

Whitty’s funeral was attended by over a thousand people.  The love and compassion for this man and his family was overwhelming: the bittersweet tears, tremendous sense of loss, and palpable shock and pain.  Hundreds gathered after the service at a restaurant reception hosted by Junior Seau, which was highlighted by a slideshow and a series of eulogies and remembrances in his honor.  In attendance were many of the legends of the game of volleyball, including Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos, Pat Powers and Jon Stevenson, Eric Fonoimoana, Dain Blanton and Karch Kiraly.  His past partners came out as a show of brotherly solidarity to Whitty: Mike Dodd, Brian Lewis, David Swatik, Brent Frohoff, as well as Kent Steffes – all were united by a common admiration and respect for a man who brought joy to everyone he touched.

At the reception, Chris McGee gave Whitty one last AVP center-court style introduction.  He announced to God -- who he painted as a right side defender with a big jump serve --  in a passionate and heartfelt crescendo, that big Whitty was on his way to complete his team.  Heart-felt applause and cathartic emotion filled the room, and as with others, these emotions broke me down and I wept on my wife’s shoulder.

As one of Whitty’s partners, I had always been by his side in the players’ box when Whitty was introduced.  We shared some of the best days of my life.  He was a friend, but he was also a mentor on and off the court.  His death strikes close to home and has affected me deeply, as it has hit many of our volleyball contemporaries who loved him and looked up to him.

Whitty’s athletic prowess is legendary.  After leading his hometown USD Toreros to their first conference title in basketball in 1984, Whitty played several years of professional basketball around the world, before coming back to pick up the game that would eventually become his passion and career.  He went on to win 28 titles and over $1.6M prize money, during a 15-year career in beach volleyball.  Whitty always considered the Olympic Silver Medal he won in 1996 with Mike Dodd to be his finest achievement.

What may be less known, but more important, is Whitty’s affect on the lives of those around him.  I want you to know him better… as a man and competitor. Whitty was the consummate teammate.  Whenever we started a match, his final pregame words would always be: “We win as a team and lose as a team.  Let’s have fun and leave it all on the court.”  When I looked to my left on the court, I never had anything to worry about.  I knew Whitty would take care of his business when it mattered. He wasn’t very analytical, more instinctive, but he knew how to win.  He knew how to make plays.  He was an “athlete” who played with heart and aura.  Whitty helped his younger friends understand the changes they would face after volleyball so they could become better husbands and fathers.  He was a mentor to many of those who followed from Casey Jennings to Matt Unger.

Whitty bet on everything, and somehow always got the better end of the deal.  When he passed he left a “Sheet” with accumulated winnings from all of his friends.  Those accounts are now being handled by his brother Rusty Whitmarsh, who will collect them and deposit them into the Jaden and Kendall Whitmarsh College Scholarship Fund (details below).  He loved the Chargers, the Padres, the Lakers… a good golf game, left handed tennis, anything for a little “action”.

Whitty went to his kids’ soccer games.  He loved spending time with them.  He was a hands-on father.  He valued his family and friends above all else.  He spoke to many of his best friends on a weekly, daily, hourly basis.

Why Whitty’s life ended the way it did may never be understood… only accepted.

At the reception, Mike Dodd offered reassuring words in many long hours of group togetherness, and in his speech he said, “We will all find a place for this in our hearts.  And eventually, we will remember all the good that Whitty brought into our lives.”

Mike Whitmarsh is survived by his wife Cindy, and his daughters Jaden and Kendall.  His mother Sharon, his brother Rusty, and his step-father Jim.

Jaden has his athleticism (you should see her play soccer), and Kendall has his personality.  They will make him proud, and they will become his legacy.

Rest in Peace Whitty.

You earned peace with a life well lived. 

You were loved and you will be missed... but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:   

The Jaden and Kendall Whitmarsh College Fund

c/o Torrey Pines Bank

12220 El Camino Real

San Diego, CA 92130