I met Mike when he was the chief elections officer of the McGill's students' society the year I ran for SSMU president. I don't know that we would have ever crossed paths otherwise, but it became clear pretty immediately that we would be friends (officially) after the election ended. We bonded by exchanging barbs and sass, telling each other anecdotes about student government and electoral processes more generally. And as cynical as he was about the whole affair, he worked himself to the bone to do a good job of it; he was entirely scrupulous and even-handed in his role.
As I got to know Mike and as we spent time together in both Montreal and New York, I came to appreciate just how full of surprises a single human can be. Mike was multi-faceted in his talents and interests. He was incisive, funny, and always, always interested. In reflecting on the person Mike was, I keep coming back to a single quality that I so admired in him: Mike fully engaged with people, of all types, and was entirely open to exchange with whichever person was in front of him. He took people as they were and are. He was present, and his attentions did not sway. If you could hold your own in a conversation with Mike, he would give you his full energy and respect. He was inquisitive, and he wanted to know and learn more from the people around him. His vociferous opinions were not set -- he savoured the opportunity to finesse ideas in conversation with others. I don't know that I've ever known someone so cynical and so sincere in equal measure.

I'll miss you, Vallo.

Truly sorry for the loss of a great person

I knew Mike as a fellow student at McGill, looking back on our time together I have realized we had many fun adventures together. Mike was was a true hearted nice guy, a true gentleman. He was kind to everyone and made them feel welcome, he came across as such an incredibly warm person. He was one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of knowing.

Mike, Sarah, Ivan...Sarah, Ivan, Mike...that's how I knew him. The three of them had an incredible bond . I loved listening to them talk about politics, soccer, their lives...but I have to admit....I just didn't get the "Game of Thrones" thing! I was lucky enough to have some "swanky" dinners with them in New York. He was wicked smart and just so interesting to talk to. He was a really, really good friend who was loved and he will be missed.

Mike was, is, and will always continue to be, one of my favorite people. He was full of good humor, and by that I mean both that he was fun to be around and had a bright smile, and that he was hysterically funny. Moreover, the genius switch was firmly in the 'on' position with him. You would never ask Mike a question about the world and get conventional wisdom in response; he was an original and vivid thinker about just about everything. And he had an uncompromisable moral center with values that any parent should seek to instill. He was a great friend and a great person. It's a tremendous loss.

(In the interest of consolidating material, the above is what I wrote about Mike on Facebook a few days ago.)

I am truly better for having known Mike. Mike came into my life at McGill when he was working for the Students' Society. We bonded through our shared tri-state upbringing, political beliefs, musical tastes, love of sci-fi and fantasy, and interest in Irish culture. I remember the first time I got invited to his apartment in Montreal to hang out. He quickly became a fixture in our group of friends. We all adored him. When I first moved to New York, he was one of my few friends in the city. I was grateful for every evening at Mikey's, discussing politics and Game of Thrones and escaping from the stress of New York life. He taught me a lot about American politics and soccer and Irish history. I'm not someone who has ever had a lot of male friends. Mike helped me feel comfortable and accepted when I was worried I would never be able to belong. I never had to explain much to him. No matter what, I knew that with Mike I would always be his friend Dooley. When my life took me elsewhere, I was always grateful that my friends had a fierce friend like Mikey to keep them laughing and going on fun adventures. He was a warm, brilliant, special man and I will never meet his equal.

Fear álainn. Cuimhneoidh mé ort. Suaimhneas síoraí dó.
Beautiful man. I will remember you. Rest in peace.

Thank you to Mike's soccer friends, Tim Hall and Dave Martinez, for their commemorations:
http://www.firsttouchonline.com/2015/11/rip-mike-vallo-1988-2015/
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/remembering-mike-vallo-42126/

To my baby cuz, you were an amazing person and I will miss you so dearly. I will remember your humor, passion, loyalty and wit every day. May you rest in peace.