Two years ago, Mike and
I, along with 2 teachers and one parent took several students to Mass. for an off-season
competition. Over those two days, it was easy to see what Mike was all about. We camped
out, and many of us had little camping experience. So as soon as we got there, Mike helped
everyone set up their tents. Not long after that he was building the campfire, and
I’m sure he even helped cook dinner after that. The next day the competition was
brutal and our robot was near the point of not being able to continue. Mike and a few
others were the last ones to leave the competition site well after dark that night and the
first ones back shortly after sun-up in the morning. They were able to keep the robot
running throughout the entire competition. Mike did all this for the team, he wanted
everyone involved to have the best experience possible, and he did it all this with his
usual smile. I can never remember him wanting anything in return, other than to enjoy the
rewards of this hard work with the people he cared about.
This is just one example of Mike’s
selflessness that I remember and I’m sure most of you have seen it too. Over the last
two years there have been two engineering co-op students that have participated on the
robotics team. When everyone else was so caught up in their own business, it is no
coincidence that each of them gravitated to Mike. He always made the time to be a mentor
or to just be a friend. This is what I hope I’ve learned from Mike – that I may
never again be "too busy" or "too tired" to help out the people I care
about, because in the end that is what matters most.
Among the many great things that Mike has done for
all of us over the last couple of years, one thing stands out above all others – the
one thing I will personally miss the most, he made it fun! From funny, but often very bad,
movie references to the friendly making fun of each other to the just plain goofing off,
there were always plenty of laughs and many good times with Mike around. He was always in
search of a good time - he’d go biking in the morning, join us for some volleyball in
the afternoon, and then turn around and go out until late into the night. I never could
keep up with him. But now I’m wishing I’d have tried.
I’m going to miss Mike, but I will always be
grateful for the time I had with him and hope that I have become a better engineer,
student, teacher, teammate, friend, and person for having known him.
Written By : Andrew Blair
