Nepotism, Narcissism and Murder

I have just heard about Mick and had to write and tell you how sad I was. We served together for many years within 1 MP Coy. I also shared many social moments with him as well. The thing …I will remember most about Mick is the way in which I could never wind him up enough for him to be angry or mad lol He is a true friend and role model for many. We shared many moments on exercise just talking about this and that and even though he tried many times to convert me, I successfully fended off his attacks lol. I hope you are coping as well as you can be after what must be a most difficult time, but I hope that it gives you some comfort to know how much Mick was both respected and loved by all who met him and if that is to be the true measure of a man’s life, then he surpassed God’s expectations.

Alan Barrie (ex 1 MP Coy)

Just as when during my teens I shared passionately with my own brother named Michael John, I came to share with Michael your beloved, in our office. As time grew, working beside Michael, I began to understand that he knew much about compassion and unconditional giving. His honesty would at times take my breath away. He connected with strangers with an ease I have seen no other do. We shared on a personal level about what we knew of our job, our roles, how we practiced, how we responded to those we were given to serve.

And he became more for me. He became something akin to a brother. He was a friend I felt deeply safe with. He did not smother me or rush up to me. His friendship was offered with dignity and respect. And with any part of himself that he gave to me I knew he had considered you first before. I have been blessed to observe the love he shared with you, (the phone calls at the end of the work day, the holiday planning, the bits and pieces he described of the home you created together). I share with you the loss of something so fine. Michael touched me deeply. I am so sorry to know you have lost one so dear, one so beautiful. I am profoundly touched to have experienced Michael as I have, and to know that he has left two children here and an extremely significant person in you.

Kristine Uebergang (On Track Colleague)

We have never met personally but we have become over the last 14 years the dearest of friends through email, chat and telephone. We have seen each other through some difficult times and some joyous times. We hoped to meet on the Isle of Man one day and discover we really are related. How could we not be? We are kindred.

The void you have left in my heart, and in the hearts of your loved ones, is tremendous but full of joy as I remember the energy, the silliness, the loveliness and the gentleness that is you.

Knowing you has made me a better person. Our Manx connection and our shared name instilled immediate trust and love within me when we first met.

Thank you Michael, for being my confidant, my friend and my family.

Patty Corkhill

I served with Mick in the Military Police in the early 1980s and we got back in contact again a couple of years ago.
Mick was one of nature’s gentlemen…, a thoroughly decent guy and he will be sadly missed by his friends who served with him.

Colin Drysdale (ex 1 MP Coy)

We spent a bit of time together working at the Centre, especially with the guys with higher support needs and I remember Mick as being very caring and supportive and always on the lookout for different activities to both challenge and entertain the clients he worked with. Mick was definitely no hand patter. He spent a lot of time with Michael D and I remember them working together to make a mail box for Michael’s farm at Gatum. This took them some weeks to do but Mick made sure that Michael did most of the work. He also worked with the guys making latex moulds that concrete could be poured into to make garden ornaments. I remember Tom making a concrete Lion with Micks help. He was very proud of himself. I also remember him working in the pool to assist Wendy with the hydrotherapy and he was a great help to her. Doing physio with the guys was another task he helped her with also. Mick also helped me and the guys to make the Therapy garden at the Centre and I always admired the way he interacted with everyone. Mick had a way of getting the best out of people and was never judgmental.

On a personal note I have fond memories of working and socialising with him. We had a common interest in the armed forces as we both spent some years in the army and we used to often talk about our different experiences. We played military strategy games on the computer a few times and I’m very thankful that Mick introduced me to the computer. We used to often play practical jokes on each other at work too. Mick would often find his can of Solo frozen solid in the freezer when it came time to drink it.

Dave Cameron (Mulleraterong – Hamilton)