Help Support Megan's Kids After Devastating Loss

April 17th, 2025

A Note From Erin, Megan's Sister

On behalf of Megan and her entire family, we want to thank everyone for their love and support that has been shown to Megan, Lily, Leah, Lydia and George during this time of absolutely unimaginable loss.

We are so incredibly grateful for the love and support and prayers that have come in from so many people. Mike made it his mission to ensure that Megan was taken care of if something ever happened to him. With that said we want to ensure that Lily, Leah, Lydia and George are able to continue doing all of the things Mike's career, hard work and dedication to their family allowed them to do.

All of the money raised will go to the kids. It will be used for college, special school trips, graduations, weddings; All the things that we know Mike would have loved and been proud to provide for them.

Thank you again for your continued love and prayers. Please continue to pray as they all learn to navigate their new normal.

With Gratitude,

Erin

April 15th, 2025

A Note From Lily:

Unfortunately early this morning around 1:00 A.M, my Stepdad Mike, passed away. Inside and out he was one of the greatest role models that has ever walked into my life. He was kind, caring, understanding, humorous, strong, and had so much love in his heart for my family. He always said that I was the “glue” for our family. To be honest, I’m not sure why he thought that. But to me I believe he was the glue that kept us together. He completed us.

When my mom and Mike first started seeing each other, I remember her walking into my bedroom with a fleece on that definitely wasn’t hers. I remember I asked her if she was seeing anyone and all she could do was smile. Before that moment I hadn’t seen a smile like that cross her face in a very long time.

Each day we spent, getting closer and closer to Mike, it felt like pieces of a puzzle coming together more and more. There was always more laughter filling the house, more smiles to go around, more hugs,and more love. The second time we went out all together with Mike was to Mellow Mushroom. It was still pretty awkward, with it being new. But once I started talking more about birds, Mike had a story to tell me. It was about how he had found a bird in his backyard. The same kind I did. That night everyone talked and talked forever. And I never remember it stopping.

Mike took the most amazing care of my mom and gave her so much love and affection. Something my mom would tell me, (i can’t remember her words exactly) is that, “When a woman’s needs are met properly, she experiences more emotional well being.” (Google had to help me with that lol) But in all honesty, that quote is the truth. Mike took care of her along with us in so many different ways. He always made sure we had everything we need.

Since Mike flew helicopters, we eventually got “call signs” for our nicknames. It became a thing to do a check. And we would say our call sign. Mike told me in the movie Top Gun, one of the characters’ call signs was Goose. Which is my favorite animal. That became mine. And he always called me Goose from then on.

I think I’m still in denial of what happened. I think every single part of me had him so ingrained in my mind for our life like he was always there. And it’s too hard for me to imagine a life without him. Please send a lot of love to my mom, my siblings, and the rest of Mike’s family too. We all loved him so dearly. And I know he will always be remembered.

Because everything he did could NEVER be forgotten.

I found this photo of my Mom and Mike on the boat. They both loved being on the boat. And looking back I remember taking that photo, and I didn’t even have to tell either of them to smile. We will miss you so much Mike. ️

April 15th, 2025

Update: (from Megan’s sister, Sara)

Good morning, everyone. Megan wanted me to share with you all that her dear husband, Mike passed away earlier this morning at about 1:00 am.

At the end, Mike was holding Megan’s hand, and he was quietly surrounded by those he loved.

The pain, emptiness, and devastation Megan is experiencing right now are feelings she never knew existed. She wanted to make this post because she knows she needs all the prayers for the strength, grace and resilience to get through each minute of each upcoming day. So please pray for Megan. As hard as you were praying for Mike, please pray just as hard for Megan.

Please also continue to pray for Megan’s children. They were incredibly brave and strong for Megan lastnight as they stopped in and said their goodbyes to Mike. Their pain is deep right now, and will be for quite a while. Please pray for their little hearts, as they say goodbye to this force of a man who loved them so very much; he loved them like they were his own children.

Megan said the thing she needs most right now is prayers. This entire past weekend she knew the only way she was surviving was by the prayers that were being poured in for her and Mike. So please don’t feel at a loss for what to do for Megan. She said that prayers are most important for her right now. So, just as she asked you to “storm Heaven” with your prayers for Mike, I ask you to storm Heaven, knock down its gates, with your prayers for my dear sister.

More will be posted in the coming days about arrangements.

Megan thanks everyone for their support and love for her and Mike.

Please continue to pray.

Mike’s priority was always making sure Megan was taken care of and provided for. So last year they were married in a civil ceremony, in the event that that a tragedy like this would happen. Ever the protector and provider, Mike didn’t want to risk Megan not being legally provided for. This picture was from the civil ceremony they had in Zulu, Mike’s helicopter. It was equally important for them to also be married in the Catholic Church. They were planning on getting sacramentally married at St. Monica’s church in just a few weeks. Megan is devastated they won’t get that ceremony. Please hold her in your prayers as she mourns the experience she will never get.

Dear Mike, we are devastated that you are not in this world anymore. But we are thankful you are no longer suffering and that you are now in Heaven with Jesus. Please look down on Megan. Protect her and keep her safe.

️❤️

April 13th, 2025

Update (from Megan’s sister, Sara)

Hi, everyone. Megan wanted me to share this update with you all. We know you all have been praying so hard for Mike. And Megan has been drawing on the grace and strength of those prayers, so please continue to pray.

The family spoke with Mike’s Neuro team today about yesterday’s MRI.

We spoke to the surgeon who operated on Mike’s brain on Friday.

The MRI results showed that while the brain stem is in tact, there is severe (“the severest of severe”) brain damage all over. The frontal lobe is the portion that has probably endured the most damage, we are told this is the part of the brain that controls behavior, personality, hobbies, interests: Basically what make Mike Mike.

There is also significant damage to both sides of Mike’s brain, particularly the side of the brain that understands, reasons, comprehends. Mike likely won’t ever regain that function.

The neurosurgeon said that while he can’t ever say, as a human, that there is 0% chance that Mike would recover to his normal self, the chances are less than slim. Mike’s whole medical team knows who Mike is as a person. We have all been diligent in sharing his love for flying, for exercise, for independence; how he simply thrives on being the healthiest version of himself. He is happiest when flying his helicopter.

His doctor said the chances of Mike returning to that life, barring some sort of miracle, are close to 0% He said, at best he could maybe get to the stage where he is opening his eyes. But he’s doubtful for even that.

The Doctor posed two options:

1. Go full steam ahead and see if he improves.

That would involve a feeding tube, a breathing tube, and frequent turning of the body. It would be an ICU like setting for the foreseeable future, probably the rest of Mike’s life.

2. They can make him comfortable and proceed gently with end of life.

Megan along with Mike’s two sons, Drew and Dom, knows what Mike’s wishes are. Mike has been explicit and very vocal that he does not want to live in such a physical state.

So, they have made the unimaginable decision to proceed with end of life care.

Next steps will be taken when Megan is ready, and after all family and friends who want to have been able to pay their respects.

We ask that you continue to pray. Pray for that big miracle. But please also pray for my dear sister Megan as she navigates this unimaginable pain. She has been living out her vows fully this weekend and she will continue to do so until the very end. She is doing it by the grace and strength from all of you and from her steadfast faith that she will see Mike again in Heaven. Her hand will be the last hand Mike holds before he holds God’s.

Please also pray for Megan’s kids, Lily, Leah, Lydia, and George. They have been told about Mike’s situation and their pain is very real and tender. They love Mike very much and their pain is palpable for Megan. She is so concerned about them. Please wrap them in your prayers as they navigate this life without their “Pops.”

Thank you for all your love and support. Megan is reading all your texts and is checking Facebook constantly drawing on the strength and light that you are sending her.

We love you, Mike and we will take care of Megan for you. We promise