The ancient Greeks believed that there was no such thing as a short or a long life. Everyone's life describes a shining
arc in the sky. An arc that is complete and is perfect.

I knew Mike for the last four years of his life. We worked almost daily together in creating the SVA Theater on 23rd Street
in Manhattan. In my 68 years I have met and worked with scores of famous and talented people (not always the same thing).
Mike was unlike anyone else I knew. He was a natural born teacher and I, among others, learned so much from him and had so much fun
in the process that it didn't seem like a tough thing.

When I think of Mike, the quintessential Irish man, oddly two Yiddish words come to mind. And both begin with the letter "M"
which. as you know was Mike's monogram. They seem to me to be the Alpha and the Omega, or the beginning and end of Mike's arc.

The first is "Maven", because Mike knew his business like no-one else. Even his guesses and intuitions were more
reliable than most people's certainties. He could solve any problem, either technical or diplomatic, with unnerving speed and
reliability.

The second word, which makes "Maven" infinitely more valuable, is "Mensch", which roughly translated means "gentleman" or "a stand-up
guy". Because Mike not only knew the answers, but he was endlessly kind, generous, and fair and was blessed with a natural-born integrity.

He told me that he wanted to work at the theater because the challenge of solving a new set of problems every day was what he lived for.
He wanted to be a productive part of the crafts he had mastered. He didn't do it for the money or for the fame -- he did it for the joy of putting
on a great show.

We will all miss him, but that shining arc will always be with those of us who were lucky enough to be in his presence.

What a great guy. I will greatly miss our periodic ruminations about the state of our Giants. He was always upbeat about them and everything else in his life. Dennis Allee, P'town

I met Michael when I moved to NYC in late 1981.  He was a pal, a buddy, a friend who showed me where to go, what to do, and how to survive.  I tried to speak with him once a year as our paths seemed to drift on a different tide.  He always felt close, he always felt like my friend.  I knew that whatever kind of problem I might have Michael would be a good person to call.  I remember when he had hip surgery.  He never wanted any of us to see him in pain.  He was a tough guy and always so soft and gentle as well.  

The years have slipped past, the memories have not.  I often think of Michael as my buddy, my pal, my friend.  I am so sorry to learn of his passing.  My deep sympathy goes out to his family whom he often spoke of with great pride and love.  I pray for his peace.

Dear Michael you were a great guy. Good natured, outgoing and always with a big smile and a hearty hand shake.I thank the person who first brought you around to the club. I'm going to miss your good cooking; but most of all I'm going to miss you. Rest in peace my friend.Richard Pepitone Provincetown, MA

Mikey, you were a force. You could charm and/or bull your way through almost anything. Almost... You had a rare and beautiful spirit. It showed in your smile and laugh. I miss it - and you - and I'm going to miss you more before I miss you less.

God must have needed an angel.  What a loss for us here.  Michael was always consistent in his kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. I would run into Michael from time to time at various electronic shows since high school.  He was truly a wonderful person and will be missed.

My condolences to his family and extended friends.

In sympathy,

It was our honor to know Michael. He made our students' work look great and all of us smarter than we deserved. We will will miss Mike dearly.

John McIntosh, SVA Computer Art

Michael..you only brought good times and good memories of fun growing up in Hillsdale together... going to so many Motown concerts at MSG..just hangin at Sandbergs or whatever we did it was fun cause you were there!! I love & will miss you dearly my friend... I will always treasure our friendship (cuz)... May you rest in peace my dear friend You will always be in my heart ... Love always, Sharon Rubenstein....xo

Wise, witty and wonderful to all who crossed his path. Words can't say what all he was, when everything is as good a memory as the next, Love to the family, TimO and family.

OBITUARY

Michael J. Morrissey

March 21, 1957 – May 17, 2011

Becker Funeral Home

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