Everyone here has a story about how they met Mike and the impact he had on our lives.
Mike was a Kiwi, born in Auckland NZ, March 14 1963, and this is some highlights about his life.
Born with the gift of the gab, at 16 he was selling cars and made his first small fortune, Mike was always destined for bigger and better things.
Mike first arrived in the USA on the Concord, he got himself a deal to fly one of the last ever concord flights to New York. A phone to call to his best mate Rick, got him on a greyhound bus to LA, and the party continued.
The travel bug was well and truly established, travels through Canada, and Desmond DeRerieu was invented. Next party Australia, in the Combie van “we all live in a Yellow Combie Van”.
In 1993 childhood friends Rick and Mike put a down payment on a small pub and called it Kiwis Pub, the American dream began. Next came Kiwis Pub and Grill and with amazing staff and lifelong friends built a place that welcomes everyone into a Kiwi family. This is where Mike met the love of his life – in a pool competition which Rose let Mike win – and so started a beautiful relationship.
Mike was a son, brother, Dad, soulmate, Popa, uncle, cousin, and most importantly everyone’s friend, buddy, pal and mate. No one was ever a stranger in Mike’s world always welcomed with a beer and an open ear.
The Back Porch aka Casa Kiwi, always open for friends and family and friends of friends, always a steak on Grill, a beer in the fridge a story to be told and helping hand if you needed it. Lifelong lessons, aspirations and morals learned and loved here for his boys Kyle and Bradley, to use in their life journey’s.
Grandbaby Jordan lit up Popa Mike’s life more than anything she brought the most joy to
his day and she loved him as much as he loved her.
We’re pretty sure fishing was one of his favorite things to do anywhere, anyhow, anytime and with anyone because I think he was off that day.
Everyone knew when Mike was heading down under for his annual reunion with his NZ family and friends. First stop was collecting Mum on the way to Whitianga, before getting cracking on the fishing! Hanging out with Mum, winning raffles and snapper fishing while he waited for his big Brother Geoff to arrive from Australia and once he arrived the big hunt for Marlin was on! During his visit there were always BBQ’s and drinks at Mikes everyone always welcome just like at home.
Dear to Mike’s heart was the annual Golf tournament for the Celia Marie Culmer foundation, he had the deepest love and affection for Celia and Daisy too.
Kiwi’s corner – event of year V8’s and burning rubber, it was Epic! Great friends, the same spot, plenty of beers, meat only and don’t forget your ear plugs.
One of the best, a role model, and a life coach, he lived his life to full and what a wonderful life he had. The legacy he leaves behind is a culture of family, love and adventure. Take a leaf from Mike’s being and let him inspire you to love and live better.
And now if you’re wondering where Mike is, he’s most likely at a Safety Meeting.