Michael Rungo was a renaissance man and he touched the hearts and lives of everyone he encountered. Michael and I shared 44 years of life together and I feel his absence in my life deeply but the magnitude of that sense of loss is a reflection of how richly he filled my life.
Michael was smart, funny, artistic, generous and caring. If he wasn’t thinking about a guitar lick of a favorite song, he was trying to find a reference in a favorite book he had read to fit whatever the occasion called for.
A conversation with Michael typically ended with a “let me find you (fill in the blank)” and the next time he saw you he was bringing whatever it was he promised. His humor and wit whether expressed through a joke or through a drawing never missed a beat, and always brought smiles.
Married in 1985, Michael and I first met sometime in the late 60’s. My brother, Mike Collins, and he were best friends from the day they met at college registration. He brought Michael to the Collins home where he remembered there were a bunch of brothers and a sister, which was me. With five brothers in the house, there was always a lot of boys around so …he was just another boy. In 1973 that changed when we started dating and the rest is our love story. By combining his love of books with work in the bookstore industry we were able to fuel our travels across the country to eventually settling in Phoenix, AZ.
As bookstores started closing, he decided there were more things to learn and adventures to be experienced. He met and worked with his friends at Trader Joe’s and our lives have been so enriched from this time he spent there. TJ’s gave him an opportunity to take what he learned from his father and grandfather about fruit and share it with their community of customers. His smiling face and bowler hat became a favorite of anyone who walked into the store, interested to see what the food highlight of the week was! Through his contacts at TJ’s, his artistic passions were also encouraged. He produced his own art exhibit of watercolors and cigar box dioramas that brought him so much joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Little did we know that Michael was also a warrior, courageously fighting for just under two years incurable metastatic cancer. The generosity of friends and family with their prayers and gifts of time, contributed to the peaceful way he was able to meet this final challenge.
With heartfelt thanks and love for all who encouraged him during his battle, I write this with joy and peace knowing that he has achieved the same!
All friends and family are welcome to attend Mike's Celebration of Life on Friday, October 18, 1:00 PM at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery in Scottsdale.
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