Death is not the extinguishing of the light, but the putting out of the lamp because dawn has come.

Tagore

My Dear friend Michael

Every time I met Michael
He would hug me tight
and lift me up high
He being very tall
and me being rather small

He did it without fail
and I loved his spontaneity
Which was Michael to the core
I wish I could have more

His long blond hair flopping
across his brow
Always wearing a smile
He was kind and gentle
and very sentimental

We spent many happy days
together in Tangalle
Life was good there
We would swim and surf
and drink far too much
In that house that was Dutch

He was a wonderful father
Steele was his pride and joy
He loved walking her to school
when she was little
He made her strong and brave
Just as he was right to the end
That was Michael, my friend

He loved his beautiful wife Alison
with all his might
That’s why he never gave up the fight
He lived life to the full
from South Africa to Madeira
And made many friends along the way
So Michael let me say
Thank you,
thank you for being my friend
I pray you are now at peace.

Nicola Fairchild

Always enjoyed being with Michael,he was lots of fun, and we had so much in common, whether it was fashion in the early 70’s, the east , mutual friends, it was like so easy and I loved his special nature, he brought light into the room.
Gonna miss him

Peter Meadows

For our spectacular Friend, Michael-

Albert Einstein observed that “A Human is just part of the Whole, called by us the Universe, but a part that is limited in space and time.”
Well, Michael’s energy may have been barely contained here in space- but his legacy, and published wit and humor of purpose, will thankfully transcend the barrier of time.
We lovingly celebrate all of his life today!

Randall Raymond

You were a nice soul a good man husband and a lovely father that I have the honour to meet shortly. Your memory will stay with me and my family.

Lidia D’Ambrini

Michael, first time I meet you and your great family was at Belmond Reid’s Hotel last Christmas in Madeira Island, since the beginning I got a great feeling about you as a good person, with that Brisths sense of humor 🙂 and since then we create a nice friendship in this pandemic times in Madeira, I always tried my best for you feel at home and very confortable. I got a very good image from you and that smile, when we were at the horse riding school and Steele was riding so well and you feel sooo proud It was very beautiful. Thank you for your friendship all the best, Alonso Passos.

Alonso Passos

Michael always made it very clear to me, specially since my own father died, that he would try in his way to be there for me and add to that role as well as he knew.

I always had a lot of love for Michael out of most in my family.
He knows how to make people smile and to be empathetic, to connect with others. He seemed to be one of the only ones who understood me.
And now I greatly regret not giving that back to him and showing him more how much he meant to me.

My two biggest memories were as a child from my communion where he gave me a small golden clock which I still treasure and take with me everywhere I go and a bracelet which I very much broke and eventually misplaced which made me very sad at the time since this was the first jewellery I ever got gifted and I wore it with pride and joy.
And at my dads funeral, where Michael shared lovely stories about my father and proceeded to then make my night enjoyable by spending time with me at the hotel we all stayed at, running up and down the place and where he snuck me a secret gin & tonic, which I have never told anyone before because I was under the legal drinking at the time and it was our secret.

Farewell Michael, a great man who clearly had a lot of love for those around him as we specially see with how much he loved Allison & Steele. Rest in Peace from your goddaughter who simply sucked at communicating and letting you know how much she loved you and appreciated you. And I hope you and Dad are happy to be reunited.

Annelette O’Brien

Dear Michael,
Your style and flair was your life, and your love of Alison was deep, even as you tried to hide from it, and for Steele, for whom, vanquished, you finally let it shine. Unafraid, ready, soaring past your brother Sun, brightnesses mingling, present, for those of us who remain, temporarily, watching the morn, and seeing your Soul smiling back.
“Miss me, and let me go.” And so we do, my friend.
With fond memories of you and family,
Laurel

Laurel Botsford