Mike (as he liked to be called) was born in Rugby on 10 August 1941 but his family moved to North London when he was 3 years old.  He was the youngest of 2 sisters and 3 brothers.  He became a toolmaker by trade and gave it up to manage pubs and clubs.   His friend bought a pub called The Queens Hotel in Laxey, Isle of Man and asked Mike to run it for him which he did very successfully; this is where we met and we married on 2nd March 1996.

Michael had 2 stepchildren and this is what his stepdaughter wrote:

"Anyone can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.  You brought me up from a teenager, no mean feat.  You were the one who sat by me when I was learning to drive.  Remember that old Volvo?  You were so patient with my driving, even though I must have scared you;  I now know how you felt as I have experienced driving with my own children.

You bought me a big fluffy elephant for my 18th.  I still have him - he's called Leo and is in my bedroom still after all these years.  I know how you loved elephants.  What beautiful and interesting creatures.

Remember how we shared that little blue Hillman Imp? The cats we had - Chalky, Minstrel, Lucky and Ginny.  You were there for my wedding day nearly 20 years ago now.  You were a grandpa to Vicki, Hannah and Harry.

I am so glad you found happiness again with Jan.  I remember your Wedding Day, I was pregnant with Harry then, he'll be 13 this year.

You were like a big teddy bear and I loved your raspy laugh.

God bless, be at peace and keep looking down on us.  Lots of love from Ali xxx"

Some friends from the Isle of Man wrote:

"We were aware that Mike's health had not been good.  Yet whenever we saw him, despite his health, he was always positive and cheerful, retaining the glint in his eye and his wicked sense of humour.  Over the years Mike touched many other people's lives in a truly positive way.

This may sound a cliché Jan, but I am sure many will have the same sentiment.  It has truly been a privilege to know Mike and I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His laugh and cockney twang will ring in many ears for a long time to come.

When you visit one of Mike's favourite places please say this ancient Celtic blessing for us:

May the road rise to meet you.  May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, may God hold you safely in the palm of his hand.

Sadly a lot of people in Spain didn't know the real Mike because he had been ill for so long but all the above describes him to a tee.

Mike passed away peacefully at home from cancer in his liver on 22nd February 2009.

My thanks go to the MACS Group for their support and provision of equipment which certainly made Mike's life easier. 

Janet Rigarlsford