Obituary of Carlton "Mike" Goldsmith

Mike Goldsmith was taken from us too early. He had just returned from a month-long road trip to Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia with his partner of 8 wonderful years, Diane Sedlock. The loss has reverberated through the community amongst family and friends as far back as high school at Harbor High, his co-workers and all the kids he coached over the 50 years he dedicated to working with boys and girls in fast pitch softball, basketball, and baseball. Mike had just retired in February from Geo. H. Wilson, after 45 years. The owner’s wife, Sue Wilson, had taken him under her wing at age 23, after he lost both of his parents. She guided him to be the man he was. His family is thankful for her good choice in helping a young man in need. Mike was very dedicated and developed many skills in materials management, purchasing and conquering multiple software packages. He developed a network of vendors through his honest and professional approach. In his retirement he loved delivering food for Meals on Wheels. Though he lived in Aptos most of his life, in February he moved in with his partner in Pacific Grove. They loved to travel together and went on many trips to Disney World and countless road trips. He was a dedicated fan of Disney World. He knew every secret place, the immense history, and all the fun facts about the park. He was always very sad to leave and as soon as he got home, he was already planning his next return trip. Mike played and loved Fast Pitch softball for over 25 years. His nickname was “Goldie”, which some still refer to him to this day. He was very competitive but also very humble. He was known as the nicest guy in the field. He was one of the best Fast Pitch pitchers, winning the title as the best pitcher in the Nation at a national tournament in Missouri. He also received countless other trophies and awards, which filled the attic in his home. His favorite catcher and best friend was Steve Glaum. They were known for being the best pitcher/catcher duo around, and many teams were built around their combined talent. Mike married Denyse Hurley in 1992. When they married, they had decided not to have children. During a trip to Taos New Mexico, they stopped at an Indian Pueblo where an elderly Indian man invited them into his home and gave them fresh bread made in a Horno. As they drove away, they saw a huge herd of bison and at that moment Denyse declared she wanted a baby. He assured her she just needed to get back to her animals. A year later in 1995, Cody Michael Goldsmith was born in Santa Cruz. The joy their son brought to them was unparallel to anything before or since. Though they were divorced in 2014, they remained best friends and worked together to get Cody through college where he graduated with a BA in economics from University of Nevada, Reno in 2019. Mike felt his greatest accomplishment in life was his son Cody. Mike was a big part of Aptos Little League; he started coaching T-Ball in 2001 and continued through 2007. His team won the 10 yr old TLC Nationals. In July 2007, he and Cody put together a team whom they named the Aptos Aces. Together, they designed the team’s logo and made the uniforms. The Aptos Aces were a traveling baseball team that went all over California, South Carolina and even up to Cooperstown, NY. They played 164 games with 95 wins, 65 losses and 2 ties. They won multiple championships. They were a very tight-knit group of kids and parents; they were like family to Mike. Mike’s other passion was creating and caring for his garden, taking after his father. He grew vegetables and planted an orchard that is still producing plums and apples. Mike was very passionate about the Wilson cabin at Huntington Lake. He went with friends in high school and, for a period, he went every year for 17 years straight. Cody got to spend many years there too and felt the same love for the cabin and the area as his dad did. Mike had a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Dorothy Hurley. He took her to her Cactus and Succulent meetings and shows. He was dedicated to spending as much time as he could with her until her death in 2018. He still had some plants she had given him. Mike is survived by his son Cody Goldsmith, Aptos, Diane Sedlock, Pacific Grove, Denyse Hurley, Aptos, Gretchen Hurley, Oregon and cousins Mailie and John Kinsella, Colorado. Mike was preceded by his mother, Ruth Kinsella-Goldsmith, his father, Carlton “Ike” Goldsmith and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Hurley. A celebration of life will be held September 23, 2023, at the home of Des Brose at 868 Western Drive in Santa Cruz from 1 to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mike’s honor to Meals on Wheels of Monterey Peninsula, The Cactus and Succulent Society of America, The Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Dept, and/or Aptos Little League.