Memories of Michael Dennis McGuffin

In memory of

Michael Dennis McGuffin

Venice, CA

1951 - February 17, 2025

1951 - Feb 17, 2025

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Ahpa Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals, United Plant Savers or California Native Plant Society.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Michael?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

EDWARD FLETCHER

2025, McGuffin's Venice Beach

Fond memories of Michael come to mind even more today on this sad anniversary...

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Laurie Levites

This is so beautiful ❤️ This is so beautiful ❤️ This is so beautiful ❤️

Paula Brown

Thanks Ed. I was just thinking about Michael and missing his advice and perspective. He was so giving and... Read more Thanks Ed. I was just thinking about Michael and missing his advice and perspective. He was so giving and willing to share his... Read more Thanks Ed. I was just thinking about Michael and missing... Read more

Mindy Green

Ed, thanks so much for doing this. It’s a wonderful tribute to Michael and a beautiful memory for all that... Read more Ed, thanks so much for doing this. It’s a wonderful tribute to Michael and a beautiful memory for all that loved him. 💖 Ed, thanks so much for doing this. It’s a wonderful... Read more

Andreas Kemkes

Michael had such a keen sense of aesthetics

Read More Read Less

Laurie Levites

Comments:

Robert Bostrom

Michael had a jacaranda tree that died and he had the foresight to have the wood milled into slabs. It had... Read more Michael had a jacaranda tree that died and he had the foresight to have the wood milled into slabs. It had beautiful grain. In... Read more Michael had a jacaranda tree that died and he had the... Read more

Liliana Isella

2017, Venice Canals, Venice, CA, USA

Michael was my client at Barrique Restaurant in Venice and that's how we became friends. I had been an illegal immigrant for a few years and when I finally got a green card he spent his airline miles to buy me a ticket to Italy.

When I took him out for a pizza to thank him we talked about healthy diets, travels and the arts and he said that one day I should try to fly business class. Well, every time I fly business class now I think of him ✨🤍✨.

Read More Read Less

Liliana Isella

Michael Messinger

Laurie Levites

Please consider a gift to Ahpa Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals, United Plant Savers or California Native Plant Society.

$5,800.00

Raised by 26 people

Learn more & give

Alessandra Storzini

2023, Las Vegas, Nevada, Stati Uniti

Smiles — with Amber Bennett; Alessandra Storzini

Read More Read Less

Stefanie Naifeh

EDWARD FLETCHER

Comments:

EDWARD FLETCHER

How cute and fun times this was! How cute and fun times this was! How cute and fun times this was!

Barbara Lezon

From the staff and volunteers at California Native Plant Society: We are deeply honored to receive gifts in memory of Michael McGuffin. Michael was a long-time member and is already missed by CNPS and the LA/Santa Monica Mountains chapter community. His legacy lives on through the generosity of those who loved him, helping to protect California’s native plants and wild places for generations to come. Our heartfelt condolences go out to family and friends - may you find comfort in knowing that Michael’s memory continues to inspire hope and restoration through the beauty of nature.

Read More Read Less

Stefanie Naifeh

Sarah Wauters

2022, Duvivier Architects, Westminster Avenue, Venice, CA, USA

VVG held a holiday party and gallery showing of various VVG artists' work. Michael brought some very rare books with beautiful illustrations of plants and herbs. — with Michael McGuffin, Noel Johnston and Isabelle Duvivier

Read More Read Less

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Sarah Wauters

Emanuela Appetiti

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Alessandra Storzini

Sarah Wauters

2023, Venice Skills Center, 5th Avenue, Venice, CA, USA

Michael McGuffin with one of the trees he helped plant! Still thriving today. I think Michael worked with us because he loved Venice so much. — with Michael McGuffin

Read More Read Less

Robin Gellman

Sarah Wauters

Emanuela Appetiti

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Alessandra Storzini

Sarah Wauters

2023, Venice Skills Center, 5th Avenue, Venice, CA, USA

Once upon a time this tree was a cherry pit that Michael planted in a pot and brought to plant here. — with Cherry Tree

Read More Read Less

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Sarah Wauters

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Sarah Wauters

2023, Venice Skills Center, 5th Avenue, Venice, CA, USA

Michael got a donation for this garden and we planted several Ironwood trees. Michael also germinated some catalina cherry trees, which are growing very successfully! — with Michael McGuffin, Peter Ruiz and Craig Moore

Read More Read Less

Robin Gellman

Sarah Wauters

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Sarah Wauters

2023, Broadway and 5th in Venice, CA

Michael planting with VVG volunteer leader Isabelle Duvivier and a local homeowner who promised to water the little trees. — with Michael McGuffin and Isabelle Duvivier

Read More Read Less

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Sarah Wauters

Staci Eisner

Alessandra Storzini

Sarah Wauters

2022, Santa Clara Ave, Venice, CA, USA

Earlier Days with the Verdant Venice Group. That day we planted that baby tree on the right, among others, and now they are tall and provide a lovely canopy! Michael at the back. — with Sean Garvey, Riley Bergkamp, Barry Campion, Leonore Marquez, Isabelle Duvivier, Peter Ruiz, Noel Johnston, Michael McGuffin, Roberta Tishman, Michael Maloy and Michael Maloy

Read More Read Less

Robin Gellman

Sarah Wauters

Staci Eisner

Alma Hall

Shared a heart

Staci Eisner

Andreas Kemkes

2025, Venice, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Marbles popping up in Venice. A few days ago one showed up unexpectedly in my front yard, and last night at a mulching event, Isabelle found another. Too much of a coincidence?

Read More Read Less

Alissa Effland

Sarah Wauters

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Emanuela Appetiti

2025, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Having breakfast with Michael 💝 — with Emanuela Appetiti and Alain and Michael

Read More Read Less

Alissa Effland

Robin Gellman

Sarah Wauters

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Lisa & Logan Brashear

2004, Topanga, CA, USA

Michael reminds us to pet our friends — with Alissa Effland, DuWane Effland, Michael Messinger, Stephen Kramer and Michael McGuffin

Read More Read Less

Alissa Effland

Stefanie Naifeh

Staci Eisner

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Cloy Ave

iDeath Sign by Cat Saxbe

Read More Read Less

Stephen Kramer

Sarah Wauters

Emanuela Appetiti

Staci Eisner

Stephen Kramer

1994, Michael's front yard. Hallow's Eve.

Sorry, this is just a picture of me, but it was all inspired by Michael's sharing of his passions. See below. Bonus to anyone who knows the album cover that inspired my pumpkin.

Read More Read Less

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Emanuela Appetiti

Staci Eisner

Stephen Kramer

1993, UCLA's Royce Hall

1st Butoh experience with McGuffin. Apologies for being unable to be present for the memorial. I wanted to share a great experience and lifelong influence that Michael brought to me. In '93, while living across the street next to the garden, Michael invited me to a dance performance at UCLA's Royce Hall that was to forever change my view of modern dance and went on to inspire my own momentous transformation in the next/previous photo. This was a performance by Sankai Juku, the most famous Butoh dance performance group from Japan. Michael had described Butoh to me and had taken me to a street performance by a local Butoh-inspired performer (Melinda Ring), but I was not ready for this "main event." After the performance, I was rather giddy, speechless and introspective, but Michael wanted to know my impressions. The first and really only thing I could say was, "disturbing." Michael's response: "excellent." That's where we left it--a shared awe and further bond of spirits.

Read More Read Less

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Emanuela Appetiti

Stephen Kramer

Staci Eisner

Comments:

Lisa & Logan Brashear

I remember going with Michael McGuffin and Stephen Kramer to see a Butoh dance performance at the Electric... Read more I remember going with Michael McGuffin and Stephen Kramer to see a Butoh dance performance at the Electric Lodge(?), c.1995-96(?).... Read more I remember going with Michael McGuffin and Stephen ... Read more

Emanuela Appetiti

Robin Gellman

Staci Eisner

Sarah Wauters

Shared a heart

Sandra Frankel

Lisa & Logan Brashear

Sarah Wauters

Staci Eisner

Comments:

Sarah Wauters

I got to know Michael with my knees in the dirt and my hands pulling weeds, as I said today. Early today ... Read more I got to know Michael with my knees in the dirt and my hands pulling weeds, as I said today. Early today I made something with... Read more I got to know Michael with my knees in the dirt and... Read more

Staci Eisner

Thank you for sharing!!! Thank you for sharing!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

Anthony Young

2025, Cloy Ave, Venice, California, USA

Staci, Thank you for the opportunity to join the celebration of Michael's life today by video. Hearing from you and his many friends educated me to the Michael different than Michael the backbone of AHPA. Michael in Venice in the Seventies as a Hippie entrepreneur was a Michael I never knew.

Read More Read Less

Maija Merchant

Stefanie Naifeh

Sandra Frankel

Emanuela Appetiti

Suzanne Shelton

Robin Gellman

Sarah Wauters

Comments:

Janet Borges

Yes, echoing what Anthony said. I knew Michael also from AHPA but met him initially in 2009 when we were... Read more Yes, echoing what Anthony said. I knew Michael also from AHPA but met him initially in 2009 when we were both on the board of... Read more Yes, echoing what Anthony said. I knew Michael also... Read more

Staci Eisner

Truly, he created community everywhere. It was his super power! Truly, he created community everywhere. It was his super power! Truly, he created community everywhere. It was his ... Read more

Chelsey Willis

Rus and family gives our deepest condolences. Michael will be missed in the Herbal industry, he was a great leader and friend. Rest in peace in the garden of heaven Michael. See you later for now my friend.

Read More Read Less

Maija Merchant

Stefanie Naifeh

Comments:

Staci Eisner

I'm sure Michael and Rus are having wonderful conversations now! My deepest condolences to you and the whole... Read more I'm sure Michael and Rus are having wonderful conversations now! My deepest condolences to you and the whole Willis family. We're... Read more I'm sure Michael and Rus are having wonderful conversations... Read more

EDWARD FLETCHER

2023, Merlefest Wilkesboro, NC, USA

First stop on Michael's visit to Boone, NC was Merlefest. The blue grass festival Doc Watson started for his son Merle. Band playing was Little Feat that Michael said he went to concerts in LA years ago. It was great!!! — with Michael McGuffin, EDWARD FLETCHER and Little Feat

Read More Read Less

EDWARD FLETCHER

Stefanie Naifeh

Suzanne Shelton

Robin Gellman

Sarah Wauters

Emanuela Appetiti

Staci Eisner

Comments:

Bill Schoenbart

Merlefest is great. Glad you were able to bring Michael there. Merlefest is great. Glad you were able to bring Michael there. Merlefest is great. Glad you were able to bring Michael... Read more