Mike:

I miss you, I always will; I love you; please watch over us.

Mike:
I miss you, I always will; I love you; please watch over us.

We shared a love of reading with Mike and would exchange author names with him.  We enjoyed our lunches with Mike and Glenda and the conversations would often continue after the meal.

I don't think I ever met Mike, but I know what it is like to lose a brother and my heart goes out to Mike and those he left behind.

We are so sorry for the loss of Mike.  I would see him a few times over the years and he wal always friendly and easy to talk to.  I will never forget that he came to my Mom's funeral.  It was very conforting to me that he came for someone he didn't really know.  He is one of God's angels now watching over us.  Russ and Sharon

Michael and I were neighbors for the past year. It was my second time living in the complex in a few years. The first time I met Michael we were both helping our elderly neighbor Joyce move. It was toward the tail end of my first tenancy, and I'd seen him around in passing here and there, but we'd never exchanged more than a smile and a hello. 

While moving Joyce, we chatted a bit, and I remember thinking that he moved pretty well for a man in his 50s. And he knew his way around lifting heavy stuff in and out of a truck, too.

When I moved back into our building in the summer of 2014, I ended up living  directly below Michael. This put us in each other's paths far more often than before, and it wasn't long until we reintroduced ourselves. We exchanged some neighborly pleasantries, talking for 10 minutes or so and then parted for our respective apartments.  

A few minutes later, my doorbell rang, and it was Michael. He'd brought me a homemade candy bar. It was full of nuts and grains all held together with honey and agave syrup, finished off by dipping it in chocolate.  It was amazing. I could tell how much he took pride in cooking when he explained to me what was in it and how he made it. There's a certain energy and excitement that artists radiate when they talk about their craft, and he had buckets of it.

From that point on, it was a regular occurrence to have Michael show up at my door with some kind of treat he'd just made. On valentine's day, he brought some delicious spanakopita he's made for my girlfriend and I to share. When he'd caught wind of our one year anniversary, he brought down a cream cheese spread with sun dried tomatoes, caramelized onions and oregano that he's made, along with a bottle of wine.

I'd often lament to him my inability to return the favor, as I'm not very capable in the kitchen. But Michael didn't want anything in return. He did those things for the same reason he would sweep the stairs that led down into our building's laundry room, and empty all of the lint traps that our forgetful neighbors would leave full: because he was a really good guy. 

One day about 2 months ago, we stood in my doorway for about 40 minutes and talked everything from growing up to relationships, from music to martial arts (I was particularly excited that he shared my affinity for ninja weapons). He left only to return a few minutes later with a couple of CDs of his favorite guitar player for me to listen to while I worked. He had a lot of cool stories about different concerts he'd been to and times he got to jam with musicians he was a fan of.

I moved out of that apartment a month ago, and I'd told my girlfriend that the hardest part of that move was going to be not being neighbors with Michael anymore. I had to work myself up to telling him that I was moving. It was remarkably hard to do because I felt like I was losing a friend. In a time where you get to know your neighbors less and less, he really made me feel a sense of community there.

People come and go in life, and I was going to make a point that Michael wasn't going to be one of the people I lost touch with. I'm deeply saddened that we didn't have the chance to do that.

Michael was one of the friendliest people I have ever have the pleasure of meeting. He was always in a pleasant mood whenever I saw him. He always had something funny to say, as if the happiness of other people were an energy source for him. He was kind, giving, considerate, and helpful.  I will miss him dearly.

Mike, was always so friendly and had a great sense of humor. Mike was a loving son,brother, nephew and friend. Mike, you will be missed here on earth. I know that our Lord welcomed you into his loving   arms.

OBITUARY

Michael Joseph Bell

April 17, 1957 – July 30, 2015

Zeller Chapel of the Roses

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