Michael was full of life, laughter, and love.  He touched the lives of everyone who knew him.  He always had a mischievous look in those twinkling eyes of his, and a radiant smile that lit up the room.  My name is Kim, and Michael was my first love.  He has always held a special place in my heart, no matter how many years have passed.  This memorial was created to ensure that Michael lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.



I have a particular memory of Michael that really makes me laugh, and epitomizes what a character he was! One day when we were in high school, I went over to his house.  He had his Honda Civic parked on the front lawn and was attempting to dye his burgundy carpets black with RIT dye.  Michael had gutted the interior of the car - the carpet and the seats were sitting all over the lawn.  Well, about half way through the project, he ran out of dye & decided we needed to go to the store to buy more.  Of course, with no seats in the car, Michael had to sit on the floor!  His vantage point was basically the bottom of the steering wheel at that height, so he had to sit on my lap to boost himself up enough to just barely peek over the steering wheel!  What a hilarious site it was - Michael looking like a midget, just his eyebrows visible over the dash, driving down the road, beeping the horn & yelling, "yee haw!" to all the curious onlookers...priceless!



Michael grew up in Winter Park, Florida and attended Winter Park High School (class of '85).  He was a member of the crew team in his junior year, and a member of DECA in his senior year.  DECA was a work experience program, and "Mr. Michael" worked in the kindergarten room at Brookshire Elementary. The day after he escorted me to my senior prom, Michael boarded a bus for Paris Island S.C., where he proudly became a United States Marine.  He was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina for the 3 years that he served his country.   After leaving the Marine Corps, he continued to live in North Carolina, where he worked in the architectural & engineering design field, most recently, as a CADD administrator & manager.  



Michael left behind a wife, and a beautiful 10-year-old daughter, who was the light of his life.  It was obvious when he talked about his little girl how much he adored her.  Also survived by Michael are 2 sisters,  and 2 brothers,  He was preceded in death by 1 brother and his parents. 



Since a charity for memorial donations had not been named by the family, I spent some time searching and found one that I feel would be a wonderful way to do something good in Michael's memory.  The Island Dolphin Care Program is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides dolphin therapy to children with critical illnesses, disabilities, and special needs.  Since Michael loved the water, animals, and children, it seems to be very fitting.



You can learn more about the Island Dolphin Care Organization by logging on to: www.islanddolphincare.org.  Or you may mail a donation in Michael's name to:



Island Dolphin Care

31 Corrine Place

Key Largo, Florida  33037

Phone:  (305) 451-5884



Cherish the memories...