Michael F. Marvin

Michael Frederick Marvin died in Houston on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at age 60 after a brief illness from liver and lung problems. Mike Marvin was the son of Shirley Marvin and the late Wilbur Marvin, of Baton Rouge, beloved older brother of Rich Marvin, of Cotuit, Mass., and Anne Swanson, of New Orleans, brother-in-law of Tee Marvin, uncle to Jennie Swanson, Tory Abadie, Macere Litton, Mary Dobson, Sam Marvin and Taylor Rose Marvin. Mike was first cousin to Peter Marvin, Ben Marvin, Elizabeth Bruce, Donald Kurson, Carol Goldman, Tony Green, Dan Green, Lisa Drake, Patti Dunn and Kathy Glasberg. He was the nephew of Betty and Alan Green, Ruby Green and Helaine Plaut. Preceded in death by aunts and uncles, Earl and Eleanor Marvin, Milton and Ruth Green, Phyllus and Kenneth Kurson; and grandparents, Rose and Ben Marvin and Marion and Isadore Green. There will be a celebration of Mike's life in Baton Rouge, which will include a slideshow and remembrances by friends and family, at Congregation B'nai Israel, 3354 Kleinert Ave., near Acadian Thruway, on Saturday, May 24, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All are invited. Mike will be buried in the Baton Rouge Jewish Cemetery, 1400 block of North Street, next to his father, Wilbur Marvin, at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25. We will meet at the cemetery at 2 p.m. and all are invited to proceed to the Piccadilly at 3164 Government St., after the service. Rabenhorst Funeral Home East is in charge of graveside service. Please RSVP for either event or just to share memories of Mike by phone (508) 577-7059 or e-mail[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]with Rich Marvin. Mike grew up in Baton Rouge, where he enjoyed being an artist, playing the trumpet, bowling, sports and riding his motorcycle. Mike was the very first bar mitzvah at the temple B'Nai Israel in 1961. He attended Tillton Prep School in New Hampshire and enrolled at Tulane University in New Orleans. While at Tulane, he studied Greek and philosophy. He liked to travel and sought out adventure. Mike was diagnosed with symptoms of manic depression and bipolar disorder. His mother, Shirley, became an early advocate of mental health awareness for families, and searched hard to find a suitable place where Mike could maintain his independence outside of an institutionalized setting. Shirley's diligence paid off with the discovery of The Mental Health Co-op (Counseling Place) in Houston led by Grover Shaunty, an early advocate in pioneering independent living in an apartment setting for those with mental health issues who could still function outside institutions. Mike thrived in this environment for 26 years and became an avid walker, five to 12 miles every day, and an adventurer in the Houston Montrose area. He was known and loved by the staff and residents, the local establishment owners and workers, the street people, and all who came to know Mike as a local legend. Mike communicated his genuine love to all people and creatures with few words and was loved in kind. He never hesitated to share his time, his possessions and his love with everyone he met. In his own words, he was happy with "a smoke, a joke and a Coke." May Mike's memory and the way he lived his life always be a blessing and inspiration. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation instead to The Mental Health Co-op, 501 Sul Ross, Houston, TX, 77006 in honor of Mike Marvin.