Michael Anthony Costa memorial fund

It is with great sadness to announce that on August 3rd, 2022, we lost Michael Anthony Costa. He was one of the most outgoing, caring and giving people you could hope to meet. He never took anything too seriously and was always full of piss and vinegar. As one of his close friends so poetically described him, he was a free spirit, a fighter, and a dreamer, and the emptiness his absence leaves is too grand to describe.

I only knew Michael for a few short years. We started as neighbors and became fast friends spending almost every day together. Michael was always looking for different ways to give back to the community, and his unique heart of gold is a treasure hard to find these days. He will forever be missed.

I spoke to the coroner within 24 hours of his death. She informed me that if Michael wasn’t “claimed” by a relative or friend, he would be placed in an unmarked grave. She also said there was a very short window of time to claim him before they take matters into their own hands.

Michael touched the lives of so many, and now we have a chance to give him the respectable funeral he deserves. My wish is to raise enough money to assist with funeral costs and memorial services, as he did not have any burial arrangements or family to step in. Any excess money will be donated to Revivals, The Desert AIDS Project, and The Palm Springs Art Museum, where Michael was a volunteer/employee for so many years.

I’m sure we can all agree that we collectively want to give Michael the memorial he deserves, to honor his memory and say our last goodbyes.

Sincerely,

Leina Patterson