Michael Desmond McGlinn

Michael McGlinn (Mike) passed away peacefully at home in San Diego on March 4, 2022, with his family at his side. He fought a courageous battle against Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for many years.

Mike was born in Suffolk, England, in 1945 where his father was a Wing Commander in the RAF. His parents met in Canada where his father was training Canadian pilots to fight in WWII. They were married in 1941 in Canada and moved back to England “for the war”. The family lived in various places in the UK, always close to an RAF airbase, and lived in Egypt for two years when his father was training pilots of the Royal Egyptian Air Force. In 1957 the family moved to Santa Barbara, CA, to join one of his mother’s sisters.

Michael graduated from Bishop Diego High School in Santa Barbara in 1962 where he was student body president. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1966. He received his Juris Doctor from the UC Hastings School of Law in 1969. He was admitted to the CA State Bar in 1970. In 1972 Mike met Melinda, the love of his life. They were married in Upland, CA, in September 1974 and enjoyed 47 years of marriage.

Mike began his legal career in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office in 1970. He entered private practice in 1973 in San Diego specializing in criminal law and later focusing on juvenile delinquency and dependency issues. He was a past president of the Criminal Defense Lawyers Club. Mike retired in January 2020 after practicing law for 50 years.

Mike was an inveterate sportsman. He enjoyed soccer, skiing, running, triathlons, and golf. He coached his kids’ soccer teams for several years. He was a passionate advocate of aqua jogging and could be heard expounding on its rehab virtues should someone mention having a sore knee or hip. Pickleball later became his go-to sport. Mike was inspired by the Challenged Athletes Triathlon and never missed the introduction of the athletes parade before the event.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Desmond and Irene. He is survived by his wife Melinda, son Ryan and wife Holly, daughter Karen Wintemute and husband Mitch, four fantastic grandchildren–Lyden, Kirra, Alexander, and William, his sister Anne-Marie Castleberg and husband Grant, nephew Paul Castleberg and wife Valentina, and niece Katie Hatch, as well as several cousins in England.

Mike was a huge presence in each of our lives, was loved deeply, and will be greatly missed.