MY BROTHER MY FRIEND,

Wow where do I begin I guess with the song “I did it my way” Yes you did! I lived a life that’s  full, I traveled each and every highway ,regrets I had a few but then again  to few to mention. I did it my way!

For as long as I could remember you were always a force to be reckoned with! You were funny, light hearted, kind, successful and serious about things you were passionate about! Making the world a better place was your mission and you worked endlessly to do your part. You left your mark and will never be forgotten. It was a life well lived! Success isn’t measure by money or things, it’s measured by the impact you had on other peoples lives and Michael that made you the richest man in the world.

As a little girl I looked up to you! I always went to you for advice and even as life separated us by miles and BS I never once felt we weren’t close or that I couldn’t call on you and Johnny at any time for anything. Damn we had our differences, I guess looking back we were both forces to be reckoned with, but it took a long time before that happened because I spent most of my life idolizing,looking up to you and believing and agreeing with everything you said. Although I never stopped looking up to you ,as I got older I started debating/fighting with you when we disagreed. That was new for me but you taught me that, without even realizing you did ,and boy did I give you a run for your money and you me. I know life took us in different directions and we both regretted that in the end! I am Thankful for the conversations we had recently. The plans we were making  for a Moultak family vacation brought me such joy to know ,as a team , we were going to try get our families together. We agreed it was never too late. Damn if we only knew!  It breaks my heart that we never got to make that happen. I don’t know why things happen as they did but I do know through it all the love never wavered!

We grew up in our family of 5 where love trumped everything we were close ,we were loved, we had fun and we always had each others back. The memories of all the happy, silly times having grown up with so much love, the memories of you ,dad and John rolling around on the floor laughing over something silly as mom and I just watched and laughed, the trips across country, setting up our tent in the living room before our first camping trip, our  family dinner conversations will be memories I will hold dear to my heart. You always showed your passion for life whether it be at a party, or around the dinner table or just taking to a stranger you just met. Your passion for the things you cared about was contagious! It breaks my heart that we allowed time and distance to get in the way. There wasn’t anything I would not have done for you and you for me! Omg do I have regrets, yes but I know you would say to me maryellen do it your way! I am heart broken to be missing your memorial and I thought you would have said ,”Mare choose your family! Do it your way as I would have done!” And so I did! I will miss you everyday of my life! I talk about you ,I share my wonderful memories of our times together, our childhood memories and there were so many! I believe with all my heart you are with us and that we will meet again.Until then Michael,My brother ,my friend ,my protector know I will never forget you! You will live in my heart forever! Only you,me and Johnny know the true bond we shared, as siblings, a bond that can never be broken. So until we meet again pls watch over us give us and continue to give us signs. I loved you then , I love you now and I will love you forever! Fly high and happy with the angels Michael! I know mom and dad were there to welcome you with open arms!❤️I wish our story wasn’t cut short like this but the memories will have will get us through!

Forever your little sister ❤️❤️💔💔

I met Mike (we only ever called him "Moultak")  in 2006, when I was 24 years old and new to the business world. Brand new to sales. I had finished a training program and I was now his sales engineer and by far the most junior person on the team. Mike could have brushed me to the side, I was fairly useless to him — but with great kindness and patience he taught me most of what I now know. He showed me how to be a persistent but likable sales person. He helped me understand how to pay attention to everyone in the room, and understand what people are really saying. And what they’re not saying.

He was the basis of more than a few “Cisco legends”, like the time he convinced a customer to return a competitor’s product, even after it had arrived at the loading dock (several million dollars’ worth of it.)

He had an incredible intellect. You couldn't BS him, and he had an innate capacity to reframe and paraphrase complex situations. He would cock his head to the side, pull his lips taught, think for a moment, and then BANG! “Full Clock-Edge!”

Sometimes the calculations didn’t quite work and he would use “creative marketing” instead, and that was even more amusing.

He could befriend anyone within minutes, and hold a conversation in depth about almost anything. His curiosity and passion made him a captivating speaker.

Over the years we moved into different roles and eventually different companies but we stayed in touch and skied together most years. Mike spent hours on the phone helping me plan job interviews. He advocated for me and helped me land my first sales job when nobody would take a chance on me.

He joined me at my wedding and celebrated all of my big successes; he also commiserated (with flair) with me when things didn’t quite work out.

In an industry (pre-#metoo) that was known for being crass, his jokes were (mostly) beyond reproach. He spoke adoringly about his family, and he sold me on the joys of having three children when he told me how much fun it was to have “shifting allegiances” between Danielle, Brandon and Marissa as they grew older.

He did not tolerate a fool, or rude people. One time at a customer event, someone posing as a customer turned out to be an analyst. The man had been asking very pointed questions, inappropriate for the setting. Mike gave him respectful, high-level replies. The man kept making inappropriate, belligerent statements. So Mike rose to the occasion. The conversation soured, and Mike used a single (and minor) insult, and the man left. He promised to call our company’s CEO. Mike laughed it off and we went our separate ways.

To nobody’s surprise, I got a call from HR a few days later. Vague questions about Mike’s professionalism. I answered – truthfully – that Mike was the most professional person with whom I’ve ever worked.

Some more pointed questions about whether I had ever seen him act unprofessionally.

“Absolutely never, what is this about?”

I immediately called Mike and we shared a good laugh.

I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I had never met Mike. He always made time to listen. He always had thoughtful advice if I needed it, and empathy if I wasn’t asking for advice.

And sometimes, he had unexpected gems to offer. Like the time I called him and he was in New York crossing a street. I did not know either of these things at the time. We were having a business conversation about a customer. And then:

“I WILL CRUSH YOUR HEAD LIKE A F___ING GRAPE!”

– silence –

“Sorry Daniel, I’m trying to cross the $*!$&*#!@ street here and this $*!$&*#!@ guy is trying to $*!$&*#!@ kill me so I had to deal with him. What were we saying?”

I miss that voice, and I hope we meet again, to share some wine and some laughs. And maybe even some turns on the snow.

Michael as I remember him best, exchanging his - always very knowledgeable - opinion. Could be about sports, politics, climate change or the best way to prepare the Christmas 'bird'. His profound explanation of team-tactics in American football were lost on me, me being Dutch was no help there. His favorite Dutch word was 'appelflappen'. He was a great guy to be with.

Lieve Simone, Brennan, Danielle en Marissa, wat een verdriet, een dikke knuffel voor jullie, we denken aan jullie.

Michael was like a second father to me growing up. I learned so much from him, and respected him more than I could ever explain. I will always hold a special place for him in my heart and miss him dearly. 

All my love and condolences go out to the Moultak family, if you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to call.