Obituary of Miguel Angel Alvarez

We honor Mike Solano a beloved husband and father who passed on February 27, 2011 at the age of 81. He immigrated from San Jose Costa Rica to Monterey in 1959. In his early twenties he lived in Panama and his dream was to come to the United States. Shortly after arriving to Monterey he began working in an Upholstery Shop in Seaside. Dad received an Upholstery Designer Certficate from the Monterey Adult Education Program. He later became an upholstery instructor at the same school where he received his certificate. Dad worked diligently at his craft and reached the american dream of opening his own business in 1964 known as Custom Upholstery by Solano. His next goal was to build a custom home for his family. He purchased a lot on Yerba Buena Court, in 1970 and by the end of the year, his loving wife and nine children had a new home. Dad enjoyed camping with his family in places like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and Canada. In 1975 Dad decided to take his family back to Costa Rica for a three month vacation. We drove through the Southwestern part of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. We had a wonderful adventure. In 1980 we traveled with dad to Alaska, driving through the U.S., Canada, and the Alaskan Highway until reaching Homer Alaska. We worked in canneries as a family and enjoyed the Alaskan Fishery experience. Dad enjoyed traveling so much that in 1985 he and our mother decided to leave Monterey and travel the globe. They traveled to Hawaii , New Zealand, Australia, the Polynesian Islands, Asia, Europe, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Itlay, the Nordic countries, Germany, England, all of South America and the Caribbean. In his later years dad dedicated his life to ministering in his church at St Francis Xavier. He was a dedicated parishioner and a reader of the word of God. He helped many community members. We remember dad for his giving nature and humorous spirit. We thank the many people who have been his friends, and leave you with dad's wishes: "Work hard, reach for more, and never give up"