I miss you, brother. One thing many people may not know is that you were the best grandpa to your grandkids. I was simply amazed of your patience and interaction with them. I could never measure up to that. I miss you terribly.

I’ll see you one day and we will celebrate with some prime rib and a big bowl of horseradish! You can have all the horseradish yourself though.

My relationship to Mike and his family started out many years ago as neighbors on Grove Way, living across the street from each other. Soon after their move-in day it didn’t take long for both families to notice we shared something very dear in common; we both had three-year-old daughters! Almost instantaneously, Erin and my daughter Catherine (Cat) became the best of friends running back and forth to each other’s homes all throughout childhood and into their teenage years. During that time, the relationship with both Mike and Barb was created while sharing the experiences of these two girls growing up: Carpooling, Brownies, camp, school functions, vacations together and always knowing we could depend on each other’s family to keep a loving eye on our girls…especially during those teen years. As time went on and both families moved away from Grove Way and Cat and Erin went off to explore life, I would still see Mike recurrently here and there. It seemed to only take seconds for us to reconnect and laugh and talk as though no time had passed.

One heartfelt memory of Mike I have and think about from time to time bringing a smile to my face occurred at Erin and her new husband Mike’s wedding reception at the park. When I saw Mike, he immediately addressed me by saying “Aww, Frannie, you missed my speech at the wedding, it was so awesome, you would have been proud!” Being the doting father to Erin, he then said “Do you want me to do it for you?” He proceeded to recite his speech by memory; beer in one hand and his other hand flailing as he fell into character and recited the whole speech to me. People even approached us to wanting to engage in conversation with us, but he didn’t stop reciting the speech until he was finished. Then said “What do ya think?” Well, I was awe-struck…it was so endearing and yet so funny and so Mike! Authentic is a word I will always use to describe Mike. 

When I learned that my Uncle Mike had passed, I was shocked - but mostly because I’d always assumed when I received that news, it would be followed by “while cliff-diving in Belize” or “trying to catch a wild pitch at an A’s game.” Because Mike lived big. Mike knew how to get every good moment out of every day.

One of the first times I really got to see this was when I was just a kid and I was visiting with the Parkins crew. I remember Mike putting on music and dancing, all limbs and mustache. And I remember thinking “huh, I didn’t know adults could still be fun.”

Mike stayed fun. He loved learning and was ravenous for new information. He was a public servant and the kind of person who keeps communities knit together.

I try to be like Mike every day. We need more people like Uncle Mike in this world. 

Dear Mikey,

I have a huge hole in my heart. A jagged void that is unable to be filled. I can only hope that with time, memories will soften the edges and ease the pain and emptiness. If you were here, I know you would wrap your arms around me in a big, long bear hug and do whatever you could to comfort me and make me laugh.

Mikey, thank you for never once complaining (at least to me) that when you married my best friend, you got her tag-along little sister as part of the package. Thank you for being a brother to me in every sense of the word. Thank you for being there for me and making me always feel like I could call on you for anything.

Thank you for your quips and Mike-isms that have become a part of our every day conversations. Thank you for "Yew Trees", "Medulla Oblongota" and the way you always said my name like Dudley Moore in "Arthur", just to name a few.

Thank you for sharing your babies with me when we couldn't seem to have one of our own. For trusting them with me and for allowing me to feel like a special part of their lives. And when we were finally able to have our own miracle baby, thank you for loving her and including her in our little special circle.

Finally thank you for taking care of my Sissy, your Beautiful Bride for the past 40+ years. Thank you for putting her on the pedestal that she so rightly deserves and loving her so completely and purely no matter what.

Mikey, as the days go on, more and more people speak out about how you touched their lives. The impact of your passing is massive and yet, I know that what I feel is only a fraction of what Barb, Brad and Erin are experiencing. I hope you know that no matter what, I will be there for them, in any way that they need, just like you were always there for me.

Always in my heart,

Micki

I only met Mike once, but I was instantly a fan! Erin was running a marathon in my city (the Chicago Marathon), and I came out to support my friend along the course. At the finish, I found Erin and her family, and was immediately included  by Mike as if I was family myself. I was welcomed along for a family meal (and Raiders football 😊), and was enveloped in the warmth and joy of the love and laughter between them all. I’m so grateful to have been included and get the chance to interact with such a wonderful family. I would have gladly dined and shared drinks with them many more times!

I really appreciated Mike’s authenticity and joy for life. And the love and respect that his daughter exudes for him is a testament to the special person he was. I’m grateful for that October day in Chicago, and for the amazing daughter he helped raise. I send all my love and laughter to the family as they celebrate Mike’s life. ❤️