Michael Dante Vinatieri

Michael Dante Vinatieri passed away on Nov. 26, 2021, surrounded by his family and fiancée, who had gathered late to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Michael, also known as “Spyder Mike,” was born on Feb. 3, 1970, in Oahu, HI, to his father, Michael Todd Vinatieri and his mother, Dolores Huffman-Vinatieri, while his Dad was stationed at Hickam Air Force during the Vietnam conflict.

After moving back to California, his parents divorced in 1974 and he split his time between living with his mother in Vallejo and his father, step-mother and siblings in Santa Rosa, California.

After graduating from Vallejo High School, Michael pursued his love of music. He started and playing in several bands. Most notably, he played guitar for Capitalist Casualties, an American hardcore punk band from Santa Rosa, California, that was founded in 1986. Until recently, it was said they were the last active band from the first ever wave of this genre of music.

Through his music, Michael was able to tour Europe doing what he loved the most. After several tours, he fell in love with the people and music of Japan and hoped to return one day to spend time on Cat Island. If there was anything he loved as much as his family, friends and music, it was his cats. To be clear, any cat that needed a dad was his cat. He treated his cats like they were his children and loved nothing more than spoiling them with attention.

When he wasn’t off living the life of a rockstar, he could be found in quiet Lewis County, where he settled in Centralia working as a tattoo artist. Michael was an accomplished artist from a young age and enjoyed working with so many people to bring their ideas to life. He has tattooed over a thousand customer and musicians, often tattooing bands with original pieces designed by him for the band.

Perhaps the most important role of his life was that of a mentor and friend. The family has received an outpouring of love and support from Michael’s friends and a common theme is the time he would take to help a person realize their musical or artistic talents. His sense of humor was another thing mentioned more than once. He was a very funny dude with a quick wit and an infectious character. We wish we could share some of these stories, however we have opted to keep this public notice clean.

He is mourned by his fiancée, Kristin Doege; parents, Michael and Gladys Vinatieri; sisters, Sarah Wilson and Monica Imes; nieces and nephews, who he adored, Jonah Vinatieri, Jacob Vinatieri, Leira Wilson, Aiden and Autumn Imes; many uncles and aunts, who will miss him dearly, uncle, John and aunt Rita Vinatieri, uncle Pat and aunt Karen Vinatieri, aunt Dolores Castello and aunt Janice Raigoza; cousins, John Patrick, Jeff and Joel Vinatieri, Dawn Castello, Dan, Tiffany, Trisha, Rachel and Joseph Vinatieri, Bob and Denise Bostick and Jessie Raigoza.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dolores Huffman- Vinatieri; younger brother, Ryan Vinatieri; aunt, Mary Bostick; and his grandparents, Felix and Jean Vinatieri and Bill and Dorothy Huffman.

The family is requesting that donations be made to the Lewis County Animal Shelter in Michael’s name in lieu of flowers. A celebration of life will be announced at the later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sticklinsfuneralchapel.com for the Vinatieri family.