Remembering and Celebrating Matthew Mitchell's Life at The Englander

"As hard as all this is, he went doing something he loved," Amber Dearborn said about her dear friend, Matthew Mitchell, who was killed in a motorcycle accident last Saturday.

The San Leandro motorcycle enthusiast cherished his Harley-Davidson Roadster, which he purchased in 2005.

"That motorcycle — he loved that thing. Any chance he got he was out riding. That was where he was happiest," she said.

When not on the road, Mitchell could be found on the greens. He loved golf, according to Dearborn, and often played at the Lake Chabot Golf Course or the Monarch Bay Golf Club.

Aside from riding, Dearborn said his two kids — Owen, 10, and Ava, 6 — brought him so much joy. They recently helped him celebrate his 36 birthday on May 5, she said.

Aside from his family or his beloved bike, Mitchell had another love: the Denver Broncos. He would often try and watch games at The Englander, sporting his bright orange jersey, Dearborn said.

One of Mitchell's best qualities was that he always had people's best interest in mind, she said.

"If you were having a bad day — he could change that with just a smile. He was just so loving and such a strong person. You could feel that strength from him."

According to Dearborn, family and friends will gather at The Englander Sports Pub on Thursday, May 23 at 4 p.m. to remember him and celebrate his life. Anyone is welcome to attend, she added. It is located at 101 Parrott Street.

Mitchell's funeral services will be held on Friday, May 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Guerrero Mortuary located at 407 Estudillo Avenue, Dearborn said.

"He was full of life. He loved to live life and he didn't let it pass him by," she said.