Posted by:
Michelle Stock

I was corresponding with a friend on email and sharing memories of my friendship with Mike when I thought to come here once again to revisit that time. I just want to say, four years later on just a random day, that I loved my friend SO MUCH! We got to bond (with his wife as well) over the Horrible Covid Lockdown. When Our Heroes Café closed down at Festival, my children and I decided to take that day, Friday at 9am to call our list of Vets to see how they were doing so they knew that they were thought of and loved. My daughter and I LOVED talking to Mike...the surprise for us...he PREFERRED Face Time!! I thought this was so funny considering his age! He also liked to text! Being that Mike was my dad's age (and I have a great relationship with my dad), I was thrilled to find another "old" person to FaceTime with...he and my dad had a lot in common...I could talk to Mike Like I talk to my dad. HE WAS SO LOVING and truly a GREAT FRIEND! I remember MANY TIMES I would accidentally bump-dial him late at night (after 9) and on a few occasions he would pick up the Face Time and we would end up talking! With tears...these memories ENCOURAGE ME TO THIS DAY! To have an Old Vet take the time to have a friendship with someone his children's age...and he has a LOVING and wonderful family himself...is so humbling. At the same time...if ANYONE READS THIS...PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR VALUE IN OTHER'S LIVES...OLD TO YOUNG...YOUNG TO OLD...we ALL need each other to get through. The Lord Jesus will fill your need with PEOPLE HE SENDS TO YOU. Jesus was surrounded with not just people...but friends! Aside from his disciples he had the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus...whom Jesus spent many a night with and one would consider them very close. This is where the shortest scripture in the Bible "Jesus Wept" John 11:35 came about...when Jesus heard and saw that his best friend was dead...he wept. THERE ARE NO TRUER TEARS THEN WHEN SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU DIES. It is heart wrenching, horrible, painful, and so Final. Jesus not only wept...but if you read in vs 38 (kjv) he also was "groaning in himself". To say that "Jesus understands" is an understatement. I find great comfort in these scriptures and in a loving Savior who has felt the same pain I feel. The glory of it all is that we too, Vs 43-44, like Lazarus, having had a close relationship with our Savior, can rise one day to see his Loving face and feel his Loving embrace. I am very blessed to have the sweetest relationship with my father who still lives, I am thankful, so very much and to have Mike in my life was a gift I couldn't even think to ask. Jesus, Dad, Mike, and others like them, whom the Lord has given to me to make my life so much better, stronger, encouraging. If you want your life to be complete, Start with the Lord Jesus...then seek out those who will Love you like Jesus does. Who will Encourage, Listen, Hug, but who will also Correct, Re-Direct, Advise and mentor. The Lord knew I needed that sweet friendship in my life even tho I have the best dad ever and who is my number 1 go-to. But to have older people in my life and in the lives of my children, who Really care and understand the morals and values needed to live a healthy life, is so important. Mike had many people in his life from young to old, from various cultures...who saw his value and his heart. Who took the time for others and really listened! Having him come to my house for cookouts...the Little Children would flock to him without any encouragement at all...they were just so drawn him, naturally. And Children can be a very good judge of character! I had never seen anything like it! What a beautiful person. I am a better person today because of our friendship and I still miss him so very much. I keep his phone number in my phone so when I see his name I can be blessed. Thanks to his awesome wife, whom I love as well, for the sweet friendship. For the Love of the Lord For the Love of my Friend Mike and Trish For the Love our our Military Vets Lord Bless

Posted by:
Randy Porter

Dear Trish, Randy and I send our thoughts and prayers to you, Tim, James and all your family. Having Mike as a part of our extended family was such a blessing. May the Lord bring peace and comfort in the days ahead. Randy and Dawn Porter

Posted by:
JEFFREY A TILIDETZKE

Dear Trish and Family, We at The Heroes Cafe Somers wish to send our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Mike was a regular at the Cafe and will surely be missed. I was honored to be able to welcome him home from his Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. I know he enjoyed that day. It has been a real challenge to keep the Cafe going through out 2020. But with the help of the Moose Lodge and VFW post we were able to get together and stay in touch. May he rest in peace and may God bless you. Jeff, Stan, Dee, and Jean