“Don’t sweat the small stuff, or you’ll never be able to handle the big stuff.”
~ Mike Dominguez
In Memory
Michael Edward Dominguez
9/9/1971 - 5/15/2024
52 years of age
It is with the deepest sadness that the Dominguez family shares the devastating news of the passing of brothers Bob Dominguez and Mike Dominguez.
Michael Dominguez, known to most of you as Mike, passed away on May 15th of this year. His brother Robert, known as Bob or Bobby, passed away in Hawaii on April 8th of 2020, at the start of the COVID lockdown.
It is hard to write words as the storied journey of two of Santa Barbara’s beloved sons has come to an end. The phrase “Bob and Mike” for many of us means love, respect and pride. They had an undeniable magnetism that could not be explained, and was witnessed by everyone who met them. Their love and loyalty was a gift cherished by those who were lucky to call them friends. Their laugh and smiles have left our hearts full of joy and love.
As those who knew them would immediately attest, their strength and durability was rarely matched. They were smart, skilled, funny and smooth. And most of all, they were wonderful, compassionate, beautiful and dangerous. They embodied the spirit and pride of Santa Barbara.
Mike was born, raised and died in Santa Barbara. The youngest of three boys, he could always be found at the side of one of his older brothers, most likely Bobby.
At an early age his innate curiosity and natural intellect would find him in the local creeks catching snakes, polliwogs and lizards. As a teenager in the late 80’s one of his most visible gifts revealed itself as a prolific and highly influential street skater.
As he grew older and his interest in skating waned Mike became a skilled heavy equipment operator and found success in the excavation industry around town. He was a leader among his peers with his deep wisdom and loving heart. He was always willing to step between those he loved and any harm that was near. Very spiritual and very perceptive, Mike had an uncanny ability to break down complex situations into the most basic components and see a clear path through it. His passing leaves a hole in the community and he will be dearly missed.
Mike is survived by his father and mother Danny and Suzy Dominguez, his brothers Joe and Jesse, his paternal grandmother Annie Dominguez, and his two sons Angel and Nico Dominguez.
Read the Bob Dominguez obituary
Portrait of Mike Dominguez against a concrete wall. We found the dead flowers in an abandoned car just out of the frame. Captured around 2001.
Portrait of Mike Dominguez against a concrete wall. We found the dead flowers in an abandoned car just out of the frame. Captured around 2001.
Mike Dominguez at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 2011.
Video still of Mike Dominguez joking around with our mom during an interview, circa-1998
Video still of Mike Dominguez joking around with our mom during an interview, circa-1998
Video still of Mike Dominguez joking around with our mom during an interview, circa-1998
Video still of Mike Dominguez joking around with our mom during an interview, circa-1998
Portrait of Mike Dominguez. I shot this in Death Valley sometime around 2011.
Mike Dominguez Skating. Looks like a freestyle skating exhibition in Santa Barbara around 1986.
Mike Dominguez as a little kid, maybe three or four years old.
Mike Dominguez as a boy, maybe seven or eight years old.
Mike Dominguez with his brother Jake Bradley, maybe 1996.
Mike Dominguez, looks like Lake Lopez, Circa-2006
Mike Dominguez photographed in a parking structure in downtown Santa Barbara. He was standing in the bed of my truck close to the overhead light. Circa 1996.
Group photo of Mike Dominguez, Ron Dominguez Sr, Ron Dominguez Jr, Jesse Dominguez and Danny Dominguez, maybe 2012.
Mike Dominguez ink, Santa Barbara local. Photographed around 2001.
Ron Dominguez Jr., Jesse Dominguez and Mike Dominguez at Jesse's High School graduation in 1999.
Jesse Dominguez and Mike Dominguez at Jesse's High School graduation in 1999.
Mike Dominguez at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 2011.
Mike Dominguez was infamous for this smirk. Shot at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in 2006.
Dominguez Brothers! Joe Dominguez, Bob Dominguez and Mike Dominguez. I had just returned home from three years in Hawaii and this was the first time we'd seen each other since. One of the funnest times in my life. Look how happy Bobby looks! This is the summer of 1992.
Dominguez Brothers, Bobby Dominguez, Michael Dominguez and Joey Dominguez. This is mike's birthday cake reveal. Maybe 1980.
Dominguez Brothers Joey Dominguez, Bobby Dominguez and Mike Dominguez. Showing our YFL (Youth Football League) uniforms in the backyard of the University Drive house.
Mike Dominguez, Bob Dominguez, Gramma and Grampa Dominguez, cousin April (Hill) and Joe Dominguez. This was taken at the Thanksgiving dinner held at Petrini's Restaurant in Santa Barbara in 1991
Mike Dominguez and Bob Dominguez when they were young. It looks like they are holding the new mice they got
This photo was captured in 1989 down on lower State Street when I was living in the Work Inc building. They are standing in the middle of the street at the intersection of Gutierrez and State. From left to right: Micah, then Mike Dominguez, Bobby Dominguez and Erik.
Dominguez Brothers lineup. I found this trio hanging in my Gramma's house. Joey, Bobby and Mike. Looks like these are the school photos from Brandon Elementary around 1976.