Good Buddy of Mine Just Died

[Perknose]

He suffered a massive heart attack. Mike was only in his mid fifties, and by all accounts, he was in great shape. But he died at work, with his boots on.

About 15 years ago, he decided to change his body and his life, and he lost almost 100 pounds . . . and he kept it off. He didn't go on any crash or fad or trendy diet, but simply started eating basically healthy and in moderation and doing regular exercise. He played a lot of racquetball and tennis. He was slim and looked the picture of health. He was THE MAN!

Most of all, Mike was a really good guy. He was smart, funny, and KIND. Kindness is a vastly underrated human trait.

He worked on the IT side of things in the securities industry, and as he once put it, he could speak both languages (securities and tech.) He went through a rough patch when he lost his job with the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, but eventually landed with TD Ameritrade, a fairly high stress job that necessitated a long daily commute to NYC.

For that reason, I saw little of him the last couple of years, as he basically just used most of his weekends to recover at home.

He DJ'ed a lot of dances at our Church, bringing his own vast collection of reggae and soul, R&B and hip hop and trance/industrial stuff.

We shared a love of Monty Python and Firesign Theater, and we shared the (infinitely small) distinction of both having been ping pong champions in separate years at our (raucous and decidedly unconventional) church camps.

The last time I saw him was earlier this summer. He and his wife were heading out to private nature spot they knew, woods that opened up into a beautiful meadow that featured a large swimming pond. I had already made other plans, and had to decline. Each moment is precious, folks. Try never to miss one.

 

[KIAman]

This is another example of just how precious and short life really is.

RIP Mike. My condolences to you, Perk, and and everyone who knew Mike.

 

[brianmanahan]

sorry to hear that

i agree about the stress of being in financial IT jobs. i have had some in the past. money is literally the only benefit.

 

[kranky]

Condolences to you, Perknose. I will toast tonight to a fellow MP and Firesign fan and all-around good guy. There simply aren't enough real good guys.

 

[lxskllr]

Condolences :'^(

 

[DrPizza]

My condolences to you, DP.

 

[KeithP]

Sorry for your loss...RIP Mike.

-KeithP

 

[twinrider1]

Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.


Meant in the kindest Python way. May he RIP.

 

[Mai72]

RIP for your friend.

If you don't mind me asking, was it the stress from the job that brought on the heart attack?

Or, were heart attacks in his family history?

 

[BurnItDwn]

Sorry Perk, sorry you lost a friend, sorry to his wife and the rest of his family. I had a good scare this year with my mid 50s uncle. He wound up having 2 bypasses and getting a valve redone and then had complications after which brought him back to the ICU for a couple days. Hes recovering, but really really filled me with anxiety and worry and sadness that I havent felt since losing my grandfather, he who was my favorite person, of all people of all time. Anyhow, enough about me. My respects and condolences to all who knew and loved Mike.

Everybody, get your shit checked out at the doctor, even if you think you are super healthy!

 

[SKORPI0]

My condolences to his family, RIP.

 

[Perknose]

RIP for your friend.

If you don't mind me asking, was it the stress from the job that brought on the heart attack?

Or, were heart attacks in his family history?

Well, stress never helps. However, his wife just told me it was an aneurysm that caused the heart attack, and, as she sadly put it, he was probably dead before he hit the floor. She didn't find out the full details until she got up to NYC. At first, all she knew on the way up was that he had had a heart attack and had been rushed to the ER. Just imagine that trip for a moment.

I know people tend to say only good things about someone who's passed, but I can't stress enough how good a guy Mike was . . . smart, funny and kind.

Most of all, he was kind. He was kind and giving to everyone. You've gotta' love a guy like that.

 

[Mayne]

My condolences to your loss. He sounded like a really awesome guy.

 

[IronWing]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Wow, such a shame. Sorry for your loss, Perk. These stories always make me cherish the small things in life.

 

[Nograts]

Damn that sucks. At least he got a good 50 something years in.

 

[allisolm]

So sorry about Mike. Friends are so precious. The loss of just one good one is a tragedy.

 

[Howard]

Sorry to hear about your loss. RIP Mike.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Hoist a beer and share stories with mutual friends. God bless.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

:-(

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Sorry to hear the bad news, condolences for everyone involved. Let your friend R.I.P.

The death of a friend, probably brings home our limited mortality. With the ever increasing risks, as we get older.

We sort of tend to go through life, as if it is going to last almost forever. Since most/all of us, don't know the exact date of our passing. With the odd exception, such as people on death row, at later stages of the sentence (I presume, but I'm not 100% sure).

I like to think that if they have had a nice, happy enjoyable life. Combined with you mutually enjoying your time together. It sort of does not matter that much (but in other senses it does, sadly, but unfortunately that is life, at the moment), when sooner or later things move to the next step/stage of life. Whatever that may be, heaven etc etc.

Some people have 10 years on this planet, others have 100 years. The fact we don't know how long, is sort of a blessing in disguise in many respects.

If someone knew they were going to die, in exactly seven days. In many respects, they would have a horrible 7 days. Not knowing is sort of a kindness, overall, all things considered.

 

[stargazr]

Sorry to hear that.

 

[Perknose]

Hoist a beer and share stories with mutual friends. God bless.

Already happening in cyberspace. Mike was loved:

Hi all, this is Miko Del. I had wonderful, beautiful heartfelt connection w/Michael. He was such a music lover. He knew I was a player, and he remarked that although he himself didn't play an instrument, he was as devoted a music fanatic as anyone could be. And he was smart and interesting. I had so many conversations w/him about different things.

I fondly recall the generous hours he spent as a voluntary DJ "spinning" his iPod for us, set on shuffle as we enjoyed his rocking, eclectic collection of tunes. I had SO MUCH FUN in the dance hall, listening to his songs as we all had laughs, danced, and made friends. When he left the hall, and he stayed LATE, we were all bummed by the silence. Then it was up to Jeremy to take over and it was Def Leppard/Beatles ONLY.

Michael I miss you already! It seems such a short while ago I watched you face off to Bob Siman for the ping-pong championship of the Universe (at Pony Tale). I think actually it was three camps ago counting this year, but I could be wrong. Gretchen you have our love and our hearts. And our help, tell us what you need. I am sorry. That was a young man who left us.
I am so glad he chose to include me in his circle, I am blessed to have known him.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Not a big fan of you as an admin, but I really want to say really sorry for experiencing this. Condolences to him and his family. Sounds like a terrible loss.

My bud's father who was in excellent shape(rode his bike every day, skied everyday, etc.) had a heart attack during skiing during 2008 Christmas eve. That experience was very hard to absorb for me, my friend and for his mother.

 

[arcenite]

My condolences :rose