Introduction
Michael was a legend. He was our big brother and our rock. He loved life and his family, and we all loved him. Walking around our community it is heart-warming to hear everyone else who loved and respected him. He was taken in the prime of his life which devastated our whole family and community. He is loved and missed by all.
Background
My brother Michael, there are so many good memories of him - Like putting us on his crossbar and cycling to Saint Ann's Park on his yellow racer bike that he built himself. Bringing us to the adventure playground as early as a young kid himself helping with the milk and sandwiches in Saint John Vianney School. He was a legend and still sadly missed by everybody.
Michael, being the oldest, was the first to get a job. He was serving his time as an auto electrician. He was a very hard worker and worked long hours. His dinner often sat on a plate over a hot pot of water 'til 9 or 10 at night.
He was generous with his small wage and was usually the source of any extracurricular activities we did, as housekeeping money at the time was very tight.
Michael’s dream was to make life a bit easier for our Mam, both emotionally and financially. He would dance around the kitchen with her to cheer her up. I remember one week he did a lot of overtime in work and got paid fifty pounds which he handed around to all of us saying, "go on, hold it. It’s half a hundred. That’s a lot of money."
We all looked up to him and went to him for advice and reassurance. He had good friends to whom he was very loyal and was popular in our neighbourhood with young and old.
Michael loved going to the dandelion market and we loved when he bought himself ‘Indian Ink’. It was his signature smell. He was really into music and loved watching the countdown to number one on Top of the Pops each week. Most of the best records to this day in our family collection were bought by Michael, and his nickname "Horsey" is written on them as he used to lend them to his friends for parties or just to listen to.
Since then
Michael or "Horsey" was the big brother we all looked up to who had a way of making everything a bit better. He thought of everyone before himself. He encouraged when needed, he taught where possible and he exuded love with every breath. For him to be taken away from all who loved him has left an empty hole in all our hearts. He is still missed every day.
Conclusion
Michael was my eldest brother. He was a role model for me, my brothers, sisters, and his friends. I cherish the memories I have of him when we were growing up. I was not prepared, able, or capable of filling his shoes. And I am still not. He left a huge void in our lives. We love Michael and miss him still.
