Mike’s Brother Tony, With an Open Letter
First this photo of Big Mike:
Mike’s brother Tony clued us in on a little something… the reason Big Mike is barefoot in this pic isn’t entirely so much because he was “soul skating” (as a few of us around here are likely to do)… he’s barefoot because the minute he’d get out of the truck and arrive at the park, he immediately wanted to skate, which meant he’d roll for a bit before getting his gear on. See, the need to skate (if you’re one of those afflicted with the addiction) is something that transcends age, time, ability, or any other noun you care to replace that with. Some people just need to skate. Considering that Mike skated for longer than a lot of us have been alive, I’d say that Mike was well versed in the addiction of rolling. He was us later on throughout the passage of time… or rather, he’s someone that I hope everyone would try to be like, both as a skater and as a person, later on down their own travels.
Now, the main purpose for this post is to share with you something that Mike’s brother Tony brought over to the shop today. It’s our honor to share these words from the brother of the man himself, and at least for me, the words speak truth:
We know a skateboarder.
Skateboarders are a different kind of people. They experience a feeling of expression that only skateboarders understand.
The need to show their ability is driven by the respect and praise of those who ride, and have ridden with them. They’re all alike in a special way, and it shows in the way they live their lives. The skateboarder we know has an ability to show this… how to love one another, and that is the finest ride ever expressed by a true skateboarder. We all look forward to the day we get to ride with one of the best skaters; to bless us with his ability.We love you Big Mikey, we’re coming to skate with you again!
-Tony
I can’t stress enough how much love we have for Big Mike, or the family he left here. We love all of you, and we want everyone to know what an incredibly kick-ass person Mike was.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Hey, it’s Ashley, (Mikey’s neice) Tony’s daughter. I cant began to explain how much all yalls words have been a huge help to my dad and our family . When this accident happen , I was devestated and couldnt began to think what i could tell my dad to help him get through this and make him fell better. The only thing I could think to tell him was “I love you” and just stand by his side. Through all of this we have been going to different web sites and reading all these great things written about my uncle by all you wonderful skaters and it has really help my dad realize that he can get through this. Our family has so much support and it is the most amazing thing i have ever seen in my entire life. I love my uncle and miss him very much, he is one of the 2 people i know in my life who has the biggest heart and always made people smile and have a good time. My unle touched hearts everywhere he went. I will never forget his great big HUGS and KISSES.I cant express enough to everyone how much yall have helped my father with all yalls loveing words. THANK YALL VERY MUCH! YALL ARE AWSOME! My dad told me a story i would like to share with yall. Small time skakes is the first skate board shop that mikey took Eric to and when eric walked out of carrys shop he told his dad that carry was the nices man he ever met. My dad asked me to tell yall that anyone who would like to make a donation or contribution in the memory of Mikey for his son Eric, please send to Carry at small time skates. He said that mikey loved carry and he is one of his best friends and that he would take care of setting something up for eric. Thanks again for all yalls support. Yall have been great!!!!! Ashley.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
We’re sorry this happened in Nashville. We’re sorry it happened at all. Condolences to Mike’s family, especially his son. God bless them.
Here’s to smooth safe skating -
BRENT
November 20th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
About a year ago my son Zack and I wanted to check out the local Hammond Dreamland Skate Park. We wanted to go early one Sunday to avoid being seen learning how to navigate through the sea of concrete. We arrived around 6:30 am only to see a group of older guys had beaten us there. That’s when I met Mikey, Tony, Shawn, and Larry. From that day on I had a new group of friends, and my son found an awesome new friend in Mikey’s son Eric. The many weekends that followed were filled with skating, laughing, BBQ’s, and good friends. It was the love of skating that brought us all together and it’s that same love that will keep us together.
Mikey was the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. He had the unique ability to see the good in any person. You had to know him to understand why this hits the skate community so hard. We lost a big brother with an even bigger heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mikey’s friends and family.
Tony and Eric: I love you guys and I will always be here for you. R.I.P. Big Mikey.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I met Mike hen he and Tony were about four and Tracy Dean was two. They were great kids and always wanted to help in any way possible. I will never forget the time in Yuma when Mike had hit the girl next door. I told him that it was not nice to hit girls. About that time the little witch started to harass Mike and I told him to go ahead and slug her. He did not do as I suggested because even at six he was a gent.
I hope all of you survive this crisis and understand that it was his time. Some day it will be ours and I hope when I check in with “Sky Six” I can say I was a gentleman like “Mike”. God bless you all and thanks for keeping me in the family
November 21st, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Dear Tony,
I was so very sorry to hear about Mike. I remember in high school, you two would talk about going to California to “surf the waves.” I’m sure Mike is surfing the waves in heaven. You and your family are in my prayers.
Selina
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 am
Tony & Ashley, though we dont see each other much, the love I’ve had for you guys and Mikey has never deminished. I know how hard this season will be, just try to walk in Peace from God asking him everyday for it. Eventually, it will come. I prominse. You have so many people who love you Tony, ask if you need anyone! We all need something or someone to lean on. There’s many people there for that!
Love you both!
Candi
November 24th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I was really bummed to hear about Mike’s recent death. I remember the first time i met ‘im. My friend Ben & I drove up to Dreamland in June for one last summer, park skate mission before we endured our lame-ass highschool again, so we got there at about seven thirty on a saturday where we saw this big guy with a nine inch board and a smile on his face. Immediatly after walking up to to the ramp, we began talking to mike. He just seemed like a guy who loved life and the way he was livin it. We even took a spin on his bulldog board. From then on, everytime we went to Dreamland we skated with big mike.
RIP IN PEACE
November 29th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Man, I hate that. The man checked out doing what he loved though. Hate I never got to meet him.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I had the honor of skating with Mike a few times when me and my son stopped in Hammond. He was a super nice guy who will be missed. My thoughts are with his family. God Bless ‘Em!
Paul in Houston, TX.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I just got back in town and I sit here in disbelief as I reply to this post.I met Mike at the park about a year ago through my wife’s cousin Zack and I truely regret not knowing him longer.He was the embodiment of what I feel true skateboarding is about.Not who can do what trick or what the other guy is rideing.But doing what you truely love and helping your fellow brothers any way you can.Mike was and always will be an inspiration to me and his death is a sad reminder that life is shorter than we realize.When you are blessed with the company of people like Mike try to remember that tommorow you might wake up to find that they are gone.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I’ve never personally met big mike but i live in como and i hear people talking about him all the time at the park and every where else. and i have read a lot of the things people have posted and he just sounds amazing. now i would send money but i just spent all the money i have on my first car.(sorry about that)he seems like a really cool guy and i regret that i couldnt have met him myself. my regards go out to him and his family, and i can really sympathize with him and his family, cause i have lost three family members in the last 3 years. and also i would like to like to say that anyone who has a true friend or family member had better cherish that cause you could look away for one second and them be gone the next. sorry for your loss.-a true fan, Jon paulsell