Michael Ackley

Profile Updated: July 22, 2023
Residing In: Sonora, CA USA
Spouse/Partner: Nancy Anne (married in 1966)
Occupation: poet/retired
Children: Laura Anne, born 1968, historian, writer. Laura's 2015 book, "Jewel City: San Francisco's Pan Pacific More…International Esposition of 1915" was the gold medal winner, among other honors, in the Commonwealth Club's annual awards for California's best new books. It is a beautiful work, beautifully written. Now she's renovating an 1884 house. Brave!

Jonathan M., born 1969, was a Walt Disney Imagineer for 20 years, and currently working for a high-tech start-up. His attraction at Disney World, the interactive "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" is legendary in the computer/interactive world, as is his magnum opus for Lucas Games, "The Curse of Monkey Island." Currently a consultant, principally on interactive computer projects.

Two beautiful, bright, talented granddaughters, simultaneously in college in Boston and New York.

Photos (2)

Yes! Attending Reunion
Comments:

Performed and enjoyed just about everything in journalism, reporting, editing etc. Finally was daily columnist in Sacramento for seven years, then two years as editor of a small daily. Taught six years and advised for the school newspaper at Cal State Hayward.
Meanwhile, my wife of going on 58 years, Nancy Anne, did most of the kid-raising, taught for several years, worked for a congressman, edited copy on a large daily newspaper, wrote a couple of books for the National School Safety Center, and concluded her career at Cal State Hayward as a writer/editor for the university and its alumni association. We retired together in 2004.
As columnist, I had time to get back in shape, ranking nationally in the pentathlon, winning the Western States 1500-meter championship. Great fun, but wore out both hips. Having two new ones, I figure that the implants on average thus have lowered my age.
I'm no longer writing a column but confining myself mostly to creative writing and to fuming over the decadent state of contemporary poetry.
After enjoying our life in the mountains east of Sonora for 13 years we decided it was time to stop sweating out the wildfire season (from about April to November) and to recognize that shoveling snow was no longer recreational. Thus, we have moved back to Sacramento County (Fair Oaks) where we lived for about 18 years and where our children did most of their growing up.
School Story:

A wise friend, the late Ron Schrap, once told me the best thing we could say about our high school years is "I'm sorry." I can only add that I hope to have matured miles from those days -- starting when I was about 35.
Best to all.
In light of Ron's wise thoughts, I add below a poem I wrote in this wise:

Surely by Now They All Have Passed Away

Surely by now they all have passed away
Who should have heard the words you did not say.
Surely by now all the aggrieved are dead,
Who sadly heard what you should not have said.

There is within each soul a room
Where time does not hold sway
And cannot bitter words consume,
So they remain still fresh today.

And if the ranks of injured are deceased,
Why are you not from penalty released?
But by the rank transgressions of your tongue
Are you forever freshly stung.

March 14, 2021

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Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Oct
08
Oct 08, 2024 at 10:25 AM

Happy birthday, Hazel! I note that you are yet a year from octogenarianhood, so enjoy your 80th year and join us, your elders, in 2025 for further felicitations!
Best to you and Jeffrey,
Michael and Nancy A,

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message. New comment added.
Sep
24
Sep 24, 2024 at 1:57 PM

Posted on: Sep 20, 2024 at 8:42 AM

Life begins at eighty! Happy birthday, Bill.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Sep
08
Sep 08, 2024 at 9:29 AM

Odd, isn't it, how all of us born in '44 are turning 80. Happy 81st year! and 82nd and 83rd . . . etc. etc.

James Porter Big Daddy
James Porter Big Daddy posted a message on Michael Ackley's Profile.
Aug
27
Aug 27, 2024 at 2:34 PM

Well congratulations Michael. You have seen the world for another year. Celebrate your special day with gusto. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
May
30
May 30, 2024 at 6:44 PM

Hi, Horatious. I'm glad to see you're still adding years as the OHS class of 1962 continues to shrink. Thanks for your career of trying to keep our hometown safe.
Happy Birthday!
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley has left an In Memory comment for Profile.
May
04
May 04, 2024 at 5:32 PM

A real OHS '62 sparkplug. Condolences to her family.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message. New comment added.
Apr
14
Apr 14, 2024 at 8:19 PM

Posted on: Apr 14, 2024 at 6:38 AM

Belated happy birthday! Missed the actual date while chasing the total solar eclipse. Such an experience! Four minutes, 23 seconds of totality, off-shore in the Pacific Ocean.
Hope this finds you and yours well and content.
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley added a comment on Profile.
Nov 04, 2023 at 10:44 AM
Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Oct 08, 2023 at 11:30 AM

Carry on! Hazel, to many more happy birthdays, and best to Jeffrey.
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message. New comment added.
Sep 23, 2023 at 9:37 AM

Posted on: Sep 21, 2023 at 10:23 AM

Happy birthday, Bill, and many happy returns. You haven't changed a bit since 1962!

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Sep 15, 2023 at 8:49 AM

Happy birthday to a bright light!

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message. New comment added.
Sep 09, 2023 at 8:37 AM

Posted on: Sep 08, 2023 at 2:33 PM

Happy Birthday, and happy returns there in the Great White North.
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Sep 04, 2023 at 9:18 AM

Happy birthday, Giffy! Another year in the books; another begun!
Best,
Michael A.

James Porter Big Daddy
James Porter Big Daddy posted a message on Michael Ackley's Profile.
Aug 27, 2023 at 10:48 PM

What, are you still getting older? Well so am I. That's why I miss giving you a happy birthday on the correct day. Anyway, we are both getting older and that's a good thing. Let's just keep it up. Happy Birthday!

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley updated profile. View.
Jul 22, 2023 at 9:30 AM
Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley has left an In Memory comment for James (Jim) Bronson.
Jun 29, 2023 at 8:13 PM

I met Jim at McChesney Jr. High. He impressed me from that point forward as one of the bravest young men I would ever know. He did not let his severe hearing loss keep him from being a full participant in all school affairs, including sports. A good student, he went on to get his degree at the famed Gallaudet University. A good guy all around.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Mar 29, 2023 at 10:34 AM

So, we're all "pushing 80" now. So . . . keep on pushing. Happy birthday!
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message. New comment added.
Jan 23, 2023 at 4:16 PM

Posted on: Jan 23, 2023 at 2:30 PM

Happy birthday, John. Keep stamping out pathogens!
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message. New comment added.
Jan 08, 2023 at 11:05 AM

Posted on: Jan 07, 2023 at 2:25 PM

How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stol'n on his wing my (fill in the blank)th year.

Let him maintain his thievery.
Happy birthday,
Michael A.

Michael Ackley
Michael Ackley posted a message.
Oct 08, 2022 at 8:51 PM

No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face.
John Donne
Happy birthday, Hazel.

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Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:22 PM
A serious moment at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure. I WAS hungry.
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 10:22 PM
Skin cancer surgery (the wages of a healthy life style) brought out the artist in me.