Frederick Michael Shore, “Mike” passed away after a brief illness on July 1, 2021. in Ventura.
Farming was his occupation and travelling, hiking, woodworking, stone cutting, and gourd art were his avocation.
Mike was born in Ventura, July 20, 1938, to Frederick Alfred Shore and Wilda Kathleen Workman Shore. He was an alumnus of Thacher School and Claremont Men’s College. Drafted into the Army in 1961, he spent 2 years serving with the Transportation Corps in La Rochelle, France, where he met and married his wife, Mary Frances Matlock. They celebrated 58 years of marriage.
Mike and the family farmed in Santa Paula and Ojai, and packed specialty fruit in Santa Paula. Always willing to try something new, he grew the orchards using both conventional and organic practices. Mike especially enjoyed selling fruit at the Ventura Certified Farmers Market and interacting with the customers. All the farming activities would not have been possible without the able help of the farm workers.
Shortly after moving to Santa Paula he joined the Young Farmers and Ranchers of Ventura County. That association led to him serving on several Farm related Boards and he was a founding member of the Ojai Valley Pixie Growers Association. Mike also served on the boards of the Santa Clara Valley School, Santa Paula Historical Society, and Santa Paula Art Museum. He was a member of Santa Paula Rotary Club and St. Sebastian Parish.
Most of his married life was lived in Santa Paula where he and Mary raised their four children. Retiring from full time farming in 2009, he spent 11 years as a part time resident of Mammoth Lakes, CA. There he actively participated in the Range of Light Group, Mono Lake Volunteers, Mammoth Chorus and Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theater. He greatly enjoyed being part of the cast in the “Fidler on the Roof” Mammoth production.
Whether he was at the beach or In the Sierra, he observed the birds, flora, fauna, pressed flowers and made bird lists. Many good times were had at the Courtright Lake cabin that was built for family and friends to enjoy and experience the beautiful California Sierra.
In all the stages of his life, he valued the friends and relatives that were with him on his life journey.
Mike is survived by his wife, Mary, children Mark (Diane), Ben, Kathleen (Morgan) Peter and Grandchildren Nicholas Shore, Nathaniel Shore, Malakai Lyons-Shore, Finley Lyons-Shore, Lucy Lyons- Shore.
His final weeks were spent in the Ventura County Medical Center where he was grateful for the fine care the doctors and nurses gave him.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 10, 10:00am, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Santa Paula. A casual gathering for all is planned following Mass at the picnic spot on their ranch in Ojai.