2016 Michael Richard Mace

Michael Richard Mace_OneLegacyMICHAEL RICHARD MACE

Tissue Donor

Age 29 ~ Los Angeles, CA

Donated on 09/04/2011

at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center

Honored by OneLegacy

Michael was generous in life and truly giving in death.  He lived an active life with a passion for sports and travel.  As a USC alumni, he worked as a senior level 2 engineer for Raytheon in the Space and Airborne Systems division.  He had a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh, and a sarcastic wit.  At the young age of 29, Michael died suddenly and very unexpectedly from an enlarged heart.  Due to his selfless decision to become an organ donor, Michael’s tissue donation was used to create over 66 grafts for hip revisions, spinal fusions, laminectomies, and ACL repairs in 7 states throughout the country.  One of  his grateful recipients wrote, “It was a life changing gift that allows for a normal life.”

Michael’s Story

Michael Richard mace was born November 18, 1981.  He is the second of three children; he has an older sister and a younger brother.  Michal attended San Gabriel Mission Elementary and was involved with Boy Scouts.  He was also a member of the city swim team, where he qualified and competed at the Junior Olympics.  He attended Loyola High where he was part of the 2000 CIF runner up swim team, and was a Kairos Retreat leader.  After graduation, he attended USC.  Throughout Michael’s high school and college years, he worked as a Pool Manager and swim team coach for the city of Alhambra.

While attending USC, Michael was a devoted Trojan football fan who “bled cardinal and gold.”  He was involved in the USC Aero Design Team, where he participated in the design, construction, and flight of airplane models that were entered in national competitions.

After graduating from USC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Michael worked at Raytheon for seven years.  He was a senior level 2 engineer in the Space and Airborne Systems Division.  While working full-time, Michael obtained his Master’s Degree in Product Development Engineering from USC in 2009.

Michael lived an active and passionate life.  He was an avid scuba diver, skier, and world traveler.  He had a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh and a sarcastic wit.

When he died suddenly and very unexpectedly from an enlarged heart at age 29, his family learned that he had registered to be an organ and tissue donor.  He was able to donate tissue and 66 grafts were made.  His donations have been used for hip revisions, spinal fusions, laminectomies, and ACL repairs. His family received a letter from one recipient who said, “It was a life changing gift that allows for, after recovery, a normal life – and not one in a wheelchair.” Michael’s donations have been used in seven states.

Michael was generous in life and truly giving in death.  Michael’s family has been inspired by his decision to be a donor; as a result they advocate for donation and encourage donor registration.