Michael Ferrera Golla

Michael "Mike" Ferrera Golla, 79, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at St. Anne Hospital in Burien, WA. Mike's
life story is one of resilience and strength, beginning with his birth on February 25, 1945, in Rizal, Philippines, to Francisca
Ferrera Golla and Nick San Juan Golla. His family lived in the rural town of Baras near Manila. In 1953, Mike's father, a
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and the family moved to Fort Ord, CA. They later relocated to Fort Meyer, VA, in 1956, where
Mike had the opportunity to showcase his artistic abilities in school. In 1960, the Golla family settled in Seattle, WA. Here,
Mike excelled in sports and participated in football, basketball, and track & field while attending Meany Middle School
and Cleveland High School.
Mike started his career as an entrepreneur in Downtown Seattle. He purchased a shoeshine kit to earn extra income. In the
early 1960s, he worked at the notorious Dag's Burgers. Later, he traveled to Alaska and worked at the Hawk Inlet Cannery.
After returning to Seattle, he worked as a chef at the Bellevue Butcher Restaurant. Later, he joined his brother Norman and
became the executive chef at the Georgetown Butcher Restaurant. He also worked as the executive chef at the Glenn Acres
Golf & Country Club and held various chef positions until his retirement.
Mike enjoyed spending his free time outdoors, engaging in activities such as hunting, hiking, camping, and his favorite
hobby - fishing. He loved sharing his knowledge of the best fishing spots with family and friends and gifting them with
freshly caught wild salmon. Mike was an avid sportsman and enjoyed playing golf in his 40s and 50s. In his retirement
years, he enjoyed smoking meats in his smoker, telling “dad” jokes, gardening, and watching sports.
Mike cherished his family above everything else. He was married to Naomi Jean Sellers from 1966-1972. Mike loved going
on exciting adventures such as hiking and fishing with his children and acted as a second coach in their sports pursuits. He
regularly sacrificed his time, energy, and comfort for his children. Mike was accountable and a provider for all his children,
which included three who were not his biological kids but whom he had helped raise. As a proud single father, he always
endeavored to be the best role model for his children.
Michael is preceded in death by his mother Francisca, father Nick, brother Norman, brother Gabriel, and stepmother
Betty. Michael is survived by his sister Edna Chinn & husband Tony Chinn, brother Nicolas Golla & wife Anna Rivera-
Golla; his children Charles “Tiger” Knight & his wife Melissa Knight, Curtis “Cougar” Knight, Nina Ferrera Golla-Trapp
& her husband James Trapp, Norman Gabriel Ferrera Golla & his wife Amy Figueroa-Golla, Michelle Francisca Ferrera
Chatman, Michael Francisco Ferrera Chatman, and Marcia Chatman. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, including
Clarissa Knight, Giovanni Wells, Makayla Fair, Je’Quan Knight III, Armani Golla, and Nico Golla, as well as his greatgrandchildren,
Makoa Knight, Zaya McCullar, Zayohna McCullar, & Sofia Abron; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces,
nephews, and cousins.