Anyone who knew Michael knew that he was passionate about capturing snippets of life as he saw it through photography. In remembrance of Michael we hope to put together and publish a book of Michael’s beautiful photos from his travels. Additionally, we would like to pay for the debts Michael incurred and the family’s cost of the sudden trip to Greece to say good-bye.

Two weeks ago, on the island of Tinos, Greece, our beloved son Michael was probably the happiest he had ever been. “I am in friggin’ Paradise”, he said in a message, indicating he was ready to settle there. Unfortunately, his 30 year life ended in a motor scooter accident while trying to negotiate a curve in the dark. No helmet and landing on the marble steps of a church were too much for Michael’s head. We knew he wanted to donate his organs; he probably would have been surprised and happy to learn that he saved so many lives….eight altogether.

Part of Michael’s contentment at the end of his life included a revitalized connection with his mentor, French photographer Sebran Dargent . He taught Michael to use film photography only; no digital cameras for him. Sebran once explained, “Everything in nature is round, not square. Digital pixels are square so how can you capture the subtlety of the world in digital?”

And so we have Michael’s beautiful photos taken in India, Mexico, Berlin and Australia that we would like to put together and publish as a memorial to him and for the many friends who loved him around the world. We would like this work to be done in collaboration with Sebran who is a master print maker. This process will be expensive, especially because of the quality and nature of the work that Sebran will use. It was what he was teaching Michael.

Additionally, we learned that Michael was sometimes not paid what he was promised in his work and subsequently borrowed money from friends. Ironically, even though strapped for cash, he would never pass by a person in need without offering something. We would like to cover the debts Michael incurred especially the friend who lent the motor scooter, which needs repairs of 1400 EU. The suddenness of this trip incurred many other expenses for which his mother and I were unprepared.

We appreciate whatever amount you could afford to offer us in Michael’s name. We all want Michael’s ties to this planet ended in a clean way. He already gave what he could with his heart and his love for all he met. Michael is laid to rest on Tinos, the Greek island he found to be Paradise.