I first knew of Violist when he posted a beautiful tribute to his sister Grace, a violinist who died young I believe of heart disease. I was so impressed with his writing skills - To be able to write a beautiful eulogy in the midst of his personal pain is something I truly admire. So we became friends and Bob and I shared many a meal (and drink) with him over the years. We ate in every kind of restaurant from greasy spoons to the finest restaurants and always had a lovely time with him. He was plainspoken and kind; enigmatic and open hearted; a true food and drink connoisseur who was just as happy eating microwave chicken wings in a hotel bar If the company was right.

We were lucky enough to be invited to his farewell concert in Salem Massachusetts some years ago – he was retiring from the orchestra and we spent several nights in Salem culminating in a beautiful classical concert. He had prepared us for what might be a lackluster evening given his inability to see well and remember music but I just remembered an enchanting evening listening to him and the other orchestra members playing soulfully.

I asked him a few years ago – after one of his many brushes with death – how he was able to keep going, traveling, enjoying himself to the fullest when he knew at any moment he could be taken down by one of the many illnesses he suffered. He responded with his usual candor – “I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to live either. I just want to do the things I enjoy doing for as long as I can.” Others may play at that philosophy but he truly lived it.

We last saw him on what may have been one of his last trips to the bay area – Bob and I could not make the group dinner that was planned but we arranged to meet him in Millbrae and have dinner with him there. We talked over old times, gossiped about mutual friends, and I’m pretty sure drank ourselves silly. It was a wonderful night that I’ll always remember – he was one of the most captivating storytellers I’ve ever met and I will miss hearing about his escapades, his meals and his exotic travels.

And being Michael to the end, we got a brief email from him just two days ago, apologizing for the mass email, saying he only had a few hours to live and wanted us to know but didn’t have the energy to send individual emails. I can’t imagine any other human being I’ve ever met having the wherewithal to send an email like that. He prepared us for what would happen soon.

Wishing him safe harbor at last.