Obituary of Michael Paul McCain, 77
Obituary of Michael Paul McCain
July 20, 1948 – May 17, 2026
In the care of Chapel of the Roses & Chapel of the Roses Cemetery
– Michael Paul McCain of Atascadero, California, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, at Sierra Vista Hospital in San Luis Obispo, California. He was born on July 20, 1948, in Eugene, Oregon, to Jerry and Doris McCain. He graduated from Atascadero High School in 1966.
After high school, Mike set out on a cross-country hitchhiking adventure with his best friend, Gary Lynch. This journey would become one of the many stories shared for years to come. Upon returning home, he began his career with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department as a firefighter. He later joined the Atascadero Fire Department in 1971, where he rose through the ranks and eventually retired as Fire Chief in 2000. He was deeply proud of his service and the friendships he built throughout his career.
In December 1967 he met the love of his life, Carrol Hartranft. They married in 1970 and have spent the last 56 years together building a life full of love and adventure.
Mike is survived by his wife Carrol, his 3 daughters, Rene Smith (Tom), Kara Coffland (Bill), and Niki Torres (Jose); His 6 grandchildren, whom he loved beyond measure: Billy Coffland (Lindsey), Ashlyn Torres, Emily Stickel (Kyle), Jimmy Coffland, Brooke Smith and Cody Smith; as well as his 3 great-grandchildren that were the apple of his eye: Lainey, Cash and Kit. He also leaves behind countless pseudo kids who became family over the years. If one of his daughters’ friends needed a safe place to stay or someone to step up as a father figure, he never hesitated to open his home or heart.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Doris McCain, his sister, Gerry Villa (McCain) and his brother, Patrick McCain.
He was an avid surfer who taught his children and grandchildren how to surf at an early age. He loved water skiing, riding motorcycles, boat racing, sprint car racing and drag racing. He also loved music. His taste for music would surprise you. The oldies of course, as you would expect, but he was a die-hard Bieber fan till the end who would also throw in some Tupac.
Mike was known for his strong will, Type-A personality and blunt honesty which could sometimes make him a challenge to work with. But those who knew him best knew his heart was enormous. He loved BIG. He would do just about anything for just about anyone. His smile was contagious and he loved his family. To list all his accomplishments professionally and personally would likely take up a book.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Mike’s name to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation https://www.angelman.org/donate/. Mike’s grandson Cody has Angelman Syndrome, and this foundation was close to Mike’s heart.
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