“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

That is how I will remember Michael, he lived life to the full and always seemed to be smiling and joking through it. Many fond memories of himself and Rita's visits to my parents house, great laughs over a glass/bottles of wines. No doubt his telling one of his jokes up there now over a pint of Guinness.

We will miss you.

Lots of love to our lovely Aunt, Karl and Paul from
Cliodhna, Matt and Alice xxxxx

To Rita, Karl, Paul & Paula wish we could be with you all at this sad time. We will miss mams baby brother and our yearly meals in Auburn heights finished off with a few Guinness, Wine Whiskey and of course karaoke. Miss you our gentle Irish giant Love to you all xxx

Dear  Rita and Family,

We will all miss Mike's wit and charm.  A gentleman in the truest sense.   Irish dinners and lunches won't be the same
Myles and Joan

Mr S,

It's been two weeks since you left us and I'm still upset that you left us to early. I miss our phone calls, e-mails, text messages ( only the private ones) smoke signals, discussions about the Premier League, The Queen (I won't go there or Rita won't speak to me) Football games, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Holland American and many other things that only two sick minds like ours would understand.

However by now I'm sure you have a Travel Department set up in Heaven and I'm applying for a job in advance. We will call it the Devil and the Angel.

Miss you.

Kevin (The other Mr S)

It was an honor and a pleasure to know Michael. He always brought a smile to our faces no matter how poorly he was feeling. He always had something clever or kind to say. He will be missed.
Anne Lewis RN

Great memories Between the Sexton family and the Troy's, in Ireland and America

Rita and Family,

I know how fond my Dad was of Mike, his Wednesday coffee buddy. Towards the end of my Dad's life there was only a few people Dad would let visit him and I know he enjoyed his visits with Mike. 

Right before my Dad died he asked me to contact Mike to have him help me fulfill my Dad's wishes to have his ashes scatter off a HAL ship in the seas of Alaska. Mike was so gracious in making those connections for us so we could have a beautiful ceremony. I'll never forget his help in that. 

I'm sure Mike is now in heaven and he and my Dad can have coffee time again......

Sending thoughts are with all of you and may God wrap his arms around you. Lifting you all up in prayer.

Christine Klug Grmolyes

Although I didn't know Mike as long as Lucky did. We both are grateful for those years of friendship. Mike was the kindest man and a true gentleman. We shared some wonderful moments with he and Rita and will remember him with a deep love. 

"I cannot say, and I will not say that he is dead. He is just away.
With a cherry smile, and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land
And has left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you -oh, you who the wildest yearn
For an old-time step, and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here.
Think of him still as the same. I say,
He is not dead - he is just away."

Dear Rita, we are here for you always,
Love,

Gloria & Lucky

We will always cherish the memories of happy times spent in Seattle and Ireland with Michael - he was a great friend and a very special brother-in-law who was always a pleasure to be with. (Will miss the email exchanges re Man United etc).

Eddie and Anna Cooke & Family

Back in the early 90's, I was blessed to begin a decade-long journey with an amazing group of people that felt more to me like an extended family as time passed. This "place" was HALW. When my job in Public Relations involved inter-acting with Mike, he was always approachable, kind, and helpful. Thank you Mike for sharing your wisdom and making my job more interesting. I can see here that you were loved and respected by many....Cheerio! Janis Goller-Bane

A good friend and one of the nicest men on the planet. I'll miss talking to you about The Dubliners, EPL and European football, Paris and travel. You will be truly missed. SKAL!!

Dear Sexton Family,
He is going to missed, i spend the last couple of years helping Mike with De Lijn assoc. It was always a great pleasure. My sincere condolences , strength and blessings,
Edwin Hoenderdos

I was lucky to see Mike at the old Travel guys lunch just a short time ago. We will miss him. Kevin Christian and Nancy Love

Michael was a dear, generous and fun.  He will be missed. Love to Rita, Karl and Paul.

You and me da. True Dubliners. Love rain down on us Michael.

I love you Dad and miss you terribly. Thank you for the secondary education that you and Mom gave to Karl and I. Travelling the world and seeing and learning things most of our friends might never see. I hope they pour your Guinness correctly the first time every time you sit down for one. Love you.

Our condolences to the family. Mike will be missed. He was a good friend and gentleman.
Walter and Helga

We were extremely saddened to learn of Mike's passing and send our heartfelt sympathy to Rita and family. Mike was one of the best individuals I had the pleasure of working for over my career. Thanks, Rita, for introducing me to Mike.

Janet and Larry Oliveri

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand".

Mr. Mike, you will be dearly missed. It was a pleasure to work with you, and I will always remember your smile and of course your wit. May God Bless You.
Kyle Kleyn van de Poll

Will never forget the trip Gwyn and I made with you, Mike and Jack and the German TA's through Alaska/Yukon. Mike gave me a great education on Alaska Tourism during that trip and I will never forget his welcoming ways. He was a true gentleman and friend and I will miss him.

Your life is celebration for your family.
May you rest in peace and god bless your loved ones.

Mahendra and Suzette Sheth

I only worked with Mike for 20 years at HAL in different departments, however it was always a pleasure to coordinate together the travel agents events during inaugural sailings. Both retired for 10+ years we became good friends having fun in founding and organizing Association 'De Lijn' and exchanging the positions of Chairman and President. His background as Director of Sales assisted in the fast growing of the association and his network in the Cruise Industry increased the F&F benefits to other Cruiselines.
Mike, you were the best and missed by all.
Your friend Hans

Dear Rita,Paul and Paula and Paul,
Our condolences with the passing of our friend Michael.
It was always a pleasure to meet him and to enjoy his wealth of wisdom especially in the world of travel.
He will be missed forever.
Willemina and Hans
Nicole, John and Charlotte
Marnix and Shelby

Correction.
First Paul should read Karl. Sorry.

One of a kind. A true original. A gentlemen and family man above all. We miss you and send our love to Rita, Karl and Paul.

To Rita, Karl and Paul,      
We are so sorry to hear of Mike's passing, R.I.P. After 44 years we can see him clearly and his laughter will remain with us forever. He was 'one in a billion'. We are so privileged to call Mike "friend". Our last time together was on a cruise from Hong Kong to Sydney, of course on Holland- America. We will never forget him! Sincere sympathy, Brendan, Christine & family

Michael was an extraordinary man who we had the pleasure of knowing for the last nine plus years. He added a spark to our family gatherings. Michael, You are missed. Love, Victoria and Mike

More than forty years of friendship, from Miami to Seattle, developed more into a family relationship - you will be missed.

Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.

To an amazing man that I felt honored to know. His humor, passion for life and love for Rita was inspiring! We will miss you

We shared many, many great times together. Our two friends Mr.Guinness and Mr. Jameson have asked me to say we all miss you and love you.

Go mbeannai Dia dhuit.

SLAINTE

Kevin

Your love and support will be forever in my memories, dearest FIL!

We miss you Dad. Thank you for showing us the world.