Big Mike
If you’ve ever skated Dreamland early in the morning on the weekend, you were have bound to have met Big Mike… a big guy that you’d immediately befriend once you started talking to him.
All of us were friends of Mike’s, and it saddens us to share that we recently lost him. We sincerely send out all of our love to not only Big Mike’s family, but the rest of his friends as well… to whom Mike always treated like family.
To Mike: It was our pleasure to know you. You were good people.
November 17th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Mikey, you were loved by all that knew you. You will be forever missed. See you in heaven!
November 18th, 2007 at 3:06 am
to my bro,
you were always my voice of reason, and you always set me straight when needed. I will miss your laugh and how you always found the good in the bad.
NOW I WILL BE YOUR VOICE, AND I WILL SET PEOPLE STRAIGHT WHEN NEEDED, YOU WERE A AWESOME FRIEND TO ME AND I WILL MISS YOU SINCERLY. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE STARS AND YOUR HEART ON THE (SON). FOR WE WILL FOREVER LOOK TOWARD YOU. I LOVE YOU!!!!
your bro mario
November 18th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I MET MIKE AND HIS BROTHER TONY WHEN THEY MOVED TO DENHAM SPRINGS WHEN I WAS 13 OR 14.WHEN MY FRIENDS [JAY AND BRUCE]TOLD ME SOME SKATERS FROM CALI. MOVED IN DOWN THE STREET,I THOUGHT NO BIG DEAL. HOW WRONG I WAS! THESE GUYS CHANGED MY YOUNG LIFE.THEY WERE COOL, AND KNEW HOW TO SKATE.SO MANY MEMORIES..WAITING TO HEAR THE SOUND OF KRYTONICS OR WINGS WHEELS ROLLING UP MY OLD MANS DRIVEWAY SATURDAY MORNINGS,WAITING TO HEAR THE SOUND OF THEM, ONE AFTER THE OTHER HITTING THE RAMP AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY,THE SHORT SILENCE. I KNEW THEY WERE DOING AN AXLE GRIND ON THE COPING WE STOLE FROM FROM SOMEBODY WHO DIDN’T NEED IT.JUST ONE MEMORY OF SO MANY.TONY AND MIKEY ARE MY FRIENDS.EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN’T SEE EACH OTHER ALL THATMUCH IN THE LAST10 YEARS OR SO WE KEPT IN TOUCH.YOU CAN’T LOOSE FRIENDS LIKE THAT.TO MIKEYS WIFE DARLENE,BROTHERS TONY,SHAWN AND TRACY..I LOVE YALL AND HURT WITH YALL.MIKE WILL ALWAYS LIVE IN OUR HEARTS, AND THE MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY MIND…..BPG IN DENHAM SPRINGS
November 18th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
No one here knows or have heard of me–but yesterday we (my family) & my best friend attended my son’s wedding. As you know as a parent after they r 25 or so you begin to wonder! My best friend Misty attended the ceremony and reception. After leaving, Misty decided to visit Joanne who lived on the same road as my son—only to find out fom her that Mikey had died from a skateboard accident with Tony & Mikey’s son present. Needless to say I felt my friend’s heartbroken sadness and felt sincere sympaty for his wife, twin brother, son and the whole family. My tears fall from the grief that the family is dealing with. My prayers will be will all of you during this time.
November 18th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
our prayers and deepest sympothy are with you and your family… when kerry and doug told us we were just in so much disbelief we will miss going out to the skatepark on early weekend mornings and seeing you with your son and family..
November 18th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
HUGE CONDOLSENSES!!! The skating community in Nashville is grieved by the loss of a visitor to one of our parks. Word traveled fast after the incident. We were all shocked to hear of Mike’s death. We are so saddened and thoughts and prays go out to Mike’s family.
The locals refer to the park as CWC (Concrete Wave Country). It’s a great park that’s a lot of fun to skate. Hopefully the locals there that day were showing some southern hospitality. I’m sure that Mike and his brother were having a blast skating before the tragic incident.
If anyone knows how or where we can make a contribution to the family or to a memorial fund, please let me know. The Nashville skating community would love to show its support to Mike’s family during this trying time.
November 18th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
I would stop in early mornings to do clean ups and take a quick whip around the park. I would see mike there. He was a pleasure to talk with and very easy going. Though I lay my head in Texas now, I still offten thought of him and his son. It is a tragic lose, Prayers to his family in whole, and peace to u Mike!
November 19th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
just read about Mike on skatedaily.net. I have to say he sounded like a pretty incredible guy. Skate on in the big one Mike.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:24 am
My heart is broken because you have left us.
You were a blessing in my life.
I am very proud to call you my son.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:15 am
R.I.P. Big Mike!!! skateboarder, inspiration, FRIEND!
For the past few months I have seen the sunrise every Saturday and many Sundays at the Dreamland skate park. At my side were a hand full of other skateboarders, most notably Big Mike and his two best friends, his brother and his son. 44 years old and carving around the skate park better than many youngsters made his weekends complete. I say that but I think it was being surrounded by his family and friends that really kept bringing him back. I regret that I didn’t meet him a long time ago, his positive out look, big smile, and desire to ride despite his size and age are a great inspiration to all.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Darlene and Family,
May it help comfort you and your family to know that you all remain in our continued thoughts and prayers during this time.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Mikie,
My sweet Mikie. I know we haven’t seen much of you since your dad(my brother) died, but you know how much we love you, Tony & Tracy. My heart is breaking because I haven’t seen you in a while, but I know that your dad is glad to have you home with him now, and your cousin Monica(my daughter). You will be in my prayes everyday. I love you & miss you.
Your Aunt Marie
November 30th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Posted on the forum as well http://www.smalltimeskates.com/smalltalk/viewtopic.php?p=7407#7407.
Mikey, will miss hearing your voice, your kind gentle ways, and your incredible hugs. Still hard to believe it’s real…
Your cousin Michelle
December 8th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Mikie, so sorry we didn’t see you more often. I guess since your dad died(my brother)we have lost touch. But we love you and will miss you very much.
Aunt Shirley
December 31st, 2007 at 1:04 am
Man, Mike was a good guy and I skated with him on sundays in Hammond but never thought that that one time would be my last. I didn’t know Mike for long but it felt like forever. Me and many, many others will miss him dearly.