Donation protected
We are deeply saddened that our son, Michael, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 12. Born May 20, 2003, he was 17 years old. He joins his sister, Rebecca and is survived by his brother, Mom, and Dad, who miss him dearly. He was a loyal brother, son, grandson, cousin, and friend.
Michael forged his own path and rose above many challenges in his young life. Despite many difficult situations, he remained a kind, generous, loving person with a heart of gold. His sense of humor was unparalleled, and he could always make us laugh no matter the situation and was such a joy to be around. He was always the one with the go-to attitude and ready to get things done. When he decided to do something, he went all in. He was an avid soccer player for many years. It was not about the competition for Michael, but about the fun and comradery on the field. He also played basketball for many years and was a friend to all his teammates. Mike had a natural way with animals, giving his love to his dogs and cats, snake, and fish. He volunteered at the Children’s Museum for several years, caring for the animals there. He fearlessly rode horses in his younger days and had a special bond with them, from cantering through the fields to mucking the stalls. Michael always enjoyed the great outdoors, from hikes as a cub scout to wilderness adventures through homeschooling. He loved all the vacations we took to Cape Cod, always ready for the beach to go snorkeling, boogie boarding, fishing, having campfires on the sand, playing in the waves, and eating lobster and steamers and homemade clam chowder. He became a master fisherman and had a fishing pole in his hand since he was a toddler. He would fish at every opportunity and once caught a 14-foot shark in the waters of Cape Cod. He and his brother became adept at trout fishing and Mike spent most of this year fishing the lakes and streams of Connecticut, hitting his creel limit, and stocking our freezer with trout for the winter. He had become skilled at fishing for snapper turtle this year. He and his brother spent many hours over the years fishing, foraging for mushrooms, camping in the woods, becoming masters at Xbox games, and so many things they did as a team. He loved kayaking, his truck, spending time with family and friends, trips to Cape Cod, time on the beach, campfires, playing games, fishing, adventuring, and so much more. He had decided to participate in life in a way only Michael could. With that big, dimpled smile of his and an infectious laugh that made everyone else laugh too.
Michael’s presence will be missed in our lives through every moment forward. Our hearts will never be the same. His Mom, Dad, brother, and family are grateful for the outpouring of love we have received at the news of his passing. Love does not cease with the event of death. It is truly infinite. Michael is with his sister, Rebecca, and they will be shining lights for us, with us forever.
Michael and Becca were Lord of the Rings fans, as are we. These quotes are an expression of how we feel.
“To these memories I will hold,
With your blessing I will go.
To turn at last to paths that lead home,
And though where the road then takes me I cannot tell.
We came all this way,
But now comes the day,
To bid you farewell.
I bid you all a very fond farewell.” – Billy Boyd
“The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.” -J.R.R. Tolkien
This fund is to provide a place for gracious donations in lieu of flowers to be used for expenses and for a memorial tribute for Michael as the family sees fit. Funds may also be used to cover genetic testing for Michael's brother. The funds will be managed by his Mother.
Michael forged his own path and rose above many challenges in his young life. Despite many difficult situations, he remained a kind, generous, loving person with a heart of gold. His sense of humor was unparalleled, and he could always make us laugh no matter the situation and was such a joy to be around. He was always the one with the go-to attitude and ready to get things done. When he decided to do something, he went all in. He was an avid soccer player for many years. It was not about the competition for Michael, but about the fun and comradery on the field. He also played basketball for many years and was a friend to all his teammates. Mike had a natural way with animals, giving his love to his dogs and cats, snake, and fish. He volunteered at the Children’s Museum for several years, caring for the animals there. He fearlessly rode horses in his younger days and had a special bond with them, from cantering through the fields to mucking the stalls. Michael always enjoyed the great outdoors, from hikes as a cub scout to wilderness adventures through homeschooling. He loved all the vacations we took to Cape Cod, always ready for the beach to go snorkeling, boogie boarding, fishing, having campfires on the sand, playing in the waves, and eating lobster and steamers and homemade clam chowder. He became a master fisherman and had a fishing pole in his hand since he was a toddler. He would fish at every opportunity and once caught a 14-foot shark in the waters of Cape Cod. He and his brother became adept at trout fishing and Mike spent most of this year fishing the lakes and streams of Connecticut, hitting his creel limit, and stocking our freezer with trout for the winter. He had become skilled at fishing for snapper turtle this year. He and his brother spent many hours over the years fishing, foraging for mushrooms, camping in the woods, becoming masters at Xbox games, and so many things they did as a team. He loved kayaking, his truck, spending time with family and friends, trips to Cape Cod, time on the beach, campfires, playing games, fishing, adventuring, and so much more. He had decided to participate in life in a way only Michael could. With that big, dimpled smile of his and an infectious laugh that made everyone else laugh too.
Michael’s presence will be missed in our lives through every moment forward. Our hearts will never be the same. His Mom, Dad, brother, and family are grateful for the outpouring of love we have received at the news of his passing. Love does not cease with the event of death. It is truly infinite. Michael is with his sister, Rebecca, and they will be shining lights for us, with us forever.
Michael and Becca were Lord of the Rings fans, as are we. These quotes are an expression of how we feel.
“To these memories I will hold,
With your blessing I will go.
To turn at last to paths that lead home,
And though where the road then takes me I cannot tell.
We came all this way,
But now comes the day,
To bid you farewell.
I bid you all a very fond farewell.” – Billy Boyd
“The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.” -J.R.R. Tolkien
This fund is to provide a place for gracious donations in lieu of flowers to be used for expenses and for a memorial tribute for Michael as the family sees fit. Funds may also be used to cover genetic testing for Michael's brother. The funds will be managed by his Mother.
Organizer
Donna Crosby
Organizer
Canton, CT