Frank Michael Sowerwine

April 25, 1965 - November 20, 2022

Long-time Alameda resident Frank Michael “Mike” Sowerwine passed away at home after a valiant six-year battle with ALS on November 20, 2022. He was 56. Mike was born in New York City to David and Heide Sowerwine. When he was 13, both parents remarried. Heide married Jerry Vriesenga and David married Haydi, expanding the number of siblings he had from one (his sister Jenny) to seven (Todd, Jeff and Stacie Vriesenga, and Tony, Nelt “Ed”, and Matthew Curci).

Mike moved from Menlo Park to Salinas for a few years. He graduated from Salinas High in 1984. Mike graduated from UC Davis in 1989 and joined the forensic accounting firm HSNO, where he worked for over 30 years. He earned his CPA license and became a respected partner in the firm.

In 1996, Mike married Jennifer Mansfield and had two children, Owen and Kate.

After some years as a single Dad, Mike met Amy Roizen in 2013. Diagnosed with ALS in 2017, he proposed while on a bucket list trip to Africa, and they married soon after, blending their five children between them — Owen, Kate, and Amy’s sons Marcus, Tanner, and Will.

Mike was a longtime Giants season ticket holder. Even when bound to a wheelchair he managed to get to Giants games. As late as this past summer fraternity brothers honored him with a tribute on the jumbotron.

Mike retired in 2019, due to the limitations of ALS. Even as his voice, strength and mobility declined, Mike’s spirit remained strong and his mind sharp.

Mike was gregarious and fun-loving, an extraordinary chef and entertainer and a devoted Dad, husband, son and brother, a trusted confidante, and a true and loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife Amy, all four of his parents, all seven of his siblings, and all five of his children and a number of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at the beginning of April.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Michael Sowerwine ALS Research Fund, UC Davis, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 4900 Broadway, Suite 1150, Sacramento, CA 95820.