Michael J. Piatt, 56, of Monroe passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle against cancer. Preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Shirley Piatt, of Scarborough, ME; and brother, Ralph Piatt, of New York. Survived by his wife, Lisa Piatt, and daughter, Lucy Piatt, of Monroe, CT; sister, Nancy Shilling, and her husband, Tim Shilling, of Bridgewater, CT; brothers, John Piatt of Marietta, GA and Rob Piatt of Carmel, NY; niece, Jackie Shilling Boyle, and her husband, Matthew Boyle of Monroe, CT; nephew, Dan Shilling, and Christine Lehner of Danbury, CT; nephew, Christopher Piatt, of Florida; and nephew, Daniel Smith, of Akron, OH.
A 1983 graduate of Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY, Mike became a Pound Ridge Volunteer Firefighter as soon as he could join as a teenager, and he stayed with the fire department until he moved away from Pound Ridge in 1990. A proud veteran, Mike served with the Military Police at Loring Air Force Base in Maine until 1988. Mike was always a builder, and he owned and operated his own company, M & L Building and Remodeling. He was Maintenance Supervisor for Fairfield Public Schools.
Mike loved wood and he loved working with wood, whether cutting down a tree for firewood for his family, building a house, or making fine furniture. Mike was a born leader and an inspiring example to everyone who knew him. Mike worked hard and brought out the best in everyone around him with grace and good humor. His first instinct was always to serve others before himself.
Mike was devoted to his family, and he was thrilled to do anything with them: from movies together on the couch, to fires in the firepit, to planning a Saturday adventure biking, hiking, walking at the beach, or a day trip somewhere fun.
Mike and his wife, Lisa, shared the rare gift of true oneness. They never had to compromise because they fell in step with each other naturally. They were made for each other, and they made each other complete. They did everything together, and loved all the same things: the outdoors, the sea, their black Labs, their cats, boating, biking, snowshoeing, and trips to Maine.
They loved grilling, building a cozy fire, cooking, entertaining, evenings around the firepit, and long walks on the beach -- in any weather. Their home was always a place of joy and laughter. Mike’s goofy, down to earth sense of humor could always calm, comfort, and make Lisa laugh.
Courageous, strong, caring, genuine, talented, Mike worked hard and always put others first. Mike influenced everyone he knew to live life to the fullest, to be generous, to be honest, and to be kind.
Rest in love and peace, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, until we see you again.
Mass of Christian Burial, St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468, Saturday, March 20, 2021, 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Closer to Free” fund for Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital at closertofree.com/give.aspx
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What is dying?
I am standing on the seashore. A ship passes and spreads his white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. He is an object of beauty and I stand watching him tall. At last, he fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, “He is gone.”
“Gone where?” Gone from my sight, that is all. He is just as large in the masts, hull, and spars as he was when I least saw him, just as able to bear his load of living freight to its destination.
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in him. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “he is gone.” there are others who are watching him coming, and other voices take up the glad shout, “Here he comes, here he comes!”
And that is dying.
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