Dear Mike
We are all very sad to hear that Mike had lost his latest battle on Tuesday
night. Our thoughts are with Mary, Andrea, Declan and other members of the
family at this very difficult time.
Most of you will know that Mike had been fighting ill health for years and had
given cause for concern on many occasions, always pulling through with the help
of Medics in a number of countries, some of whom were to get to know him
well. Indeed it was a journey back from Spain that first brought Mike and Mary
to Bordeaux and those who were around in those days first met Mary without
Mike, who was in hospital. As we were to witness often in times ahead, Mike
bounced back as soon as his blood was sorted out and they were off house
hunting, choosing to live in the country near Faleyras. Mike and Mary attacked
the house with the talent and gusto we were to see again and again.
Having decided that country living was not for them, they bought a lovely house in rue de la Course overlooking the
Jardin Public. This house was on four floors which, in itself, kept them busy! Most impressive was the way that Mike
was able to achieve magnificent results with low cost materials. He seemed to possess an uncanny ability to see how
problems could be solved with solutions that appeared simple in hindsight but which none of the rest of us would
have thought of. Years later they decided to down-size. Once again Mike’s talents shone, they carried on with the
successful B&B business they had built up but at a reduced scale, with Mike still doing the breakfasts.
Mike’s artistic inventiveness was not confined to their own homes, as many in and around the BBC will have
witnessed at Halloween and St Patrick’s Night parties. Mike was always willing to give his time and talents to the BBC
at these events and others, such as his bicycle tours of Bordeaux plus service on the BBC Committee.
Mike touched many peoples’ lives and we shall all miss him and his sense of humour greatly. This cannot compare to
the enormous gap his passing leaves for Mary and our hearts go out to her and all the family.
Goodbye to a good friend.
Chris and Deirdre