Mike was a truly good hearted person who loved his family and would literally do anything for anyone. You know that saying, "he'll give you the shirt off his back", well, with Mike that saying was true. He DID take the shirt off his back for others. And he would have done it every single day for anyone that needed it. He could not walk or drive by a homeless person without giving something. He made friends wherever he went and his energy was contagious. Most of the time he had a smile on his face and his smile was a truly genuine one, one that you don't see often. He loved life. He was a very hard worker and he could play and have fun like no other (that's definitely where Tey gets it from). He was also very emotional and he hurt when others hurt. He wore his heart on his sleeve but not everyone knew that. I'm not even sure that makes sense? But for those that knew Mike, truly knew him, you know exactly what I'm saying.
Mike was Tey's dad but also a coach, He was "Coach Mike" to Tey and many of Tey's friends. He was everywhere those boys were and he was hard on them, on and off the court, in the best ways.
Tey is SO good at basketball because of Mike. He had him dribbling between his legs by 3 years old (maybe even 2)! Basketball was their biggest bond. If they weren't playing it they were watching it. And if they weren't together watching it they were constantly calling or texting each other about the big play they just watched. This past year Tey played on the JV team at Lansdowne High School and Mike videotaped every game. After each game he would create highlight videos of Tey AND also Tey's friends. He knew them all. And not just in passing. Literally these boys would look for him, asking Tey where his dad is and go over to him to shake his hand and say hi.
Mike was unique and young at heart and caring and accepting of everyone.
I could go on and on.
There aren't enough words to explain Mike, but again, for those that knew Mike, you know. We were the lucky ones to have him in our lives, to feel and feed off of his energy.
It took us some time but Mike and I were able to co-parent on fantastic terms and create a strong friendship. Brian and Mike got along great and Brian loved talking to Mike. My littles knew Mike as "Mr. Mike" and they loved him too. They knew him. They will ALWAYS know him.
Mike's funeral, as sad and devastating as it was, was also beautiful. The words spoken about Mike were words of truth. So many stories that made you laugh and cry and shake your head. And as his sister said, you left feeling a lot of hope, which is what Mike would have wanted.
I am still in shock. At certain moments every day I ask myself if this is real? I ask myself, is he really gone? I get angry and sad. I can't believe it. It's not fair. How could Tey lose his dad? And he lost his brother 2 years and 2 weeks prior? I'll never understand it. I'll always ask why. I'll never think it's fair or right. I miss him so I can only imagine how Tey feels and how his parents and siblings feel. It's another unexplainable, painful, heartbreaking loss, that I don't know I'll ever be able to comprehend or accept.
He was athletic.
He was humble.
He was inspiring, especially to youth.
He is Tey's dad.
He is a son to Paul & Darlene.
He is a brother to Dan, Sean, Jenny & Kristie.
He IS loved and ALWAYS will be loved.
He IS missed and ALWAYS will be missed.
"Silky", "Silky Silv", "Coach Mike", "DAD" - we miss you down here. Come visit us in our dreams and please hold my sweet Jace for me.
Mike's obituary
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| The varsity basketball team came to support Tey at Mike's funeral. |
