I won't forget the Christmas Day just before Mike passed away 2 years ago. He & I played 27 holes of golf at a local course here in the Port Charlotte area. Very enjoyable...as expected, nobody was out that morning. When I think back to that vacation, we actually played golf 5 of the 7 days that he was down here in Florida.
Anyhow...several weeks ago with Mike in mind, myself and Greg Dane (Mike's Brother-in-Law) duplicated that experience. Felt like Mike was watching over us that day...for me in particular, helping out with a few shots I normally might not have made.
Still loved...still missed!
Brother Den

Mike would have been 66 today...a date he had talked about hopefully retiring. As we know, he was an extremely hard worker... well liked by all fellow GHD employees. Such a shame that he's not with us in person. Knowing that he's watching over us gives some consolation!
Brother Den

Happy Birthday, my Gemini brother Mike. Traits common to that sign of the Zodiac...gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas are all so true. Forgive me for not paying enough attention.
Always, my neighborhood friend. 
JD

My thoughts of Mike are pretty constant and consistent.. he is never far away from me. ...but during a week or two in June.. was a special time as three friends who have been close since we were kids all have Birthdays. Mike started us off on the 7th, then me and then Jerry S 10 days after Mike. The band of brothers.

Mike was a quiet person, but for being so reserved, he was also the best communicator in our group. As Carol said, he would take the effort to keep in touch and he would pick up the phone or send a note. Hearing from Mike was always special. I still thank Mike for my good golf shots and good things that happen to me. He's my better angel still trying to lift me up.. I truly believe.

I've been thinking this week as Michael's birthday approached about how much I miss him in my life. We were almost always in touch around our birthdays, which meant that twice a year at least, no matter what was going on, we wrote or emailed and caught up. There were times when we were in closer touch and times when that sufficed but the steadiness of his presence in my life was a reassuring comfort. He was a thoughtful, smart and dear friend and I miss him very much.

Remembering my brother Mike a year after his passing--his love, kindness, compassion, and generosity--he continues to be an inspiration for me. How lucky am I that he is a part of my life?

To Dennis' post,... It was a tough time...... I remember exactly where I was, what the room looked like, how I felt. .. in cold and snowy Toronto, in a hotel room when I got a call from Jerry.

Then, I had to go to work the next day with a bunch of contentious customers squabbling. Thought I had dreamed it and it was not real. I had to try to keep focus. At dinner that night I remember telling one of my team that my best friend just passed suddenly, but the subject was dropped quickly because its hard for people to deal with things like that...except for me continuing to ponder. It was tough time for everyone I know.

But, I am happy for Mike now. He is OK. He is in a good place.

Remembering Mike today even though I think of him everyday. He is still a constant in my life and that may be his biggest legacy for me.. I still feel his friendship. Thanks Mike

Just like the assassination of JFK and the falling of the Twin Towers, I will always remember where I was when I heard about the passing of my Brother. He had just been visiting with us in Florida 10 days earlier, so it was unfathomable to hear news that he was gone. Still hard to believe! Fortunately, he is close to us at the Memorial Garden...and will always be close to us in spirit.

The framed picture of Mike, Dudley, Jerry and I at our golf outing, not that many years ago, sits on my book shelf across my my deck and I think of what a good time that was and miss that we won't do it again. To Our Absent Brother.

Mike, how I long for one more chance to play golf with you, to break bread and enjoy a beverage, to marvel at your infectious smile and bold laughter.
Miss you friend

On January 16th, an evening Mass intention has been arranged to mark the one-year anniversary of Michael's passing. He continues to be sorely missed by us all.

On Saturday May 16th, 2015 a Memorial Golf Outing was held in Michael's honor at the Cazenovia Country Club. A total of 78 people...family, friends, and former GHD co-workers...came together for this event. Stories and anecdotes from Mike's life were shared amongst those in attendance. It was a truly special opportunity to revisit so many of the qualities that made Mike such a good guy. A few photos from that day have been added.

It was with much sadness that I learned yesterday, Feb. 24, that Michael had died. Mike was my Best Man at my wedding on New Year's Eve in 1984. He was working for me when he was offered a job at Stearns and Wheeler. I have found memories of Michael, and you too, Dudley, working on painting projects of mine. Hello to you too, Jerry. I wish his friends could have gotten together at the time of his death, but I respect the wishes of his family. He was one of the good guys and will be greatly missed.

Mike and I went way back to grade school at Immaculate Conception. There was the Big Five (boys) and the Little Five (girls) and we had all kinds of fun hanging out together. We go our separate ways, lose touch but never forget our roots, where we came from and who was an important part of our lives. I last saw Mike at the FM 25th reunion in 1993 and he came up and gave me a big hug, it was just as if time stood still. I have never forgotten him and never will.

For me, Mike was always special.Whether it was the twinkle in his eye or knowing that being with him was going to be a fun time in some way. When you were with Mike, there was no need to talk. Talking was optional. It was kind of understood that talking was not always necessary. Friends kind of tuned into each other and words were exchanged occasionally and when we did speak, it was almost like.."I know you already knew that".. to say the obvious or just laugh.

One vacation we took, Mike introduced a phrase for the whole trip: 'Nothing but the best'. It meant that on this trip it was going to be nothing, but the best for us. It manifested itself in little ways, not ostentatiously as was Mike's way, but it was the attitude of taking care of each other he brought to our getting together. I've forgotten most of that trip, but not Mike saying that to us. He was and is a brother.

Mike and I go way back...to kindergarten...to the Southfield Drive neighborhood...Immaculate Conception Elementary and more. He is my oldest, childhood friend.  My memories are resurfacing daily. 
We explored the woods, creeks and remote areas of Fayetteville as boys and seriously competed in backyard kickball, wiffle ball and badminton contests. Home run derby was the best! It is only now that I can let go of the frustration that often came from our battles...and his victories.
As adults we went our separate ways, rarely making time to reconnect. I deeply regret that, but remain grateful for the few recent opportunities we had to get away on a golfing trip with Dudley, Tom and Jim.
There will always be a hole in my heart because he left so suddenly. We all wish we could have been more helpful, but the truth is that everyone walks their own path. Some more serenely and quietly than others. Mike's path was spiritual and private. I'm guessing he is a happy and relieved man now. Always buddy...