MICHAEL’S SHIP HAS SAILED: It is with a heavy heart and unutterable sense of desolation that I must inform you that my beloved husband Michael weighed anchor and departed for celestial seas at 1950 on 15th April 2008 at the Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Queensland, Australia. He picked up a virus in October on his last tour of duty on DISCOVERY and returned home very ill in January to find that his prostate cancer had metastasized into the bones and lungs, and he never recovered.

 

All of you know Michael know how caring was, not just of people, but also of the planet. I asked those of you who were thinking of sending flowers, please rather plant a tree in his name (a Michael Tree) – in your garden, in a park, wherever, and then please send me a photo. Soon perhaps there will be a wonderful forest of trees all over the world doing their bit to help the earth Michael loved so much; a beautiful, living reminder of our friend, lover, father, brother, shipmate and husband.

 

Family and friends in Australia gathered at noon on April 24th at 20 Maple Avenue, Mapleton to celebrate a life well lived. Later Michael’s ashes were cast into the sea at his favourite spot on Forty Mile Beach, north of Noosa and also over the hills he loved in Cumbria.

 

So, my friends, please raise a glass (or two) to my Beloved as he heads off into the great unchartered seas – those magical horizons have called our much loved seafarer onto his next great adventure. Please wish him Bon Voyage!

 

Much love

Wendy

 

 

"SEA FEVER" By John Masefield (1878-1967). English Poet Laureate   I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.   I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide,  Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.   I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

 

 

 

Click Here To see photos and poems from Michael's farewell.

Click Here To see letters and photos of trees planted around the world in honor of a life well lived.

 

Michael’s Wood:  Many of our lovely friends and family said in their tributes that they have planted Michael trees. Could you please forward a photograph and/or description of the plant or tree, so I can put it with the others in this section.

 

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Below are a collection of the tributes and testimonials from Shipmates, Colleagues, Friends and Family alike:

 

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and wonderful tributes; it is very heart-warming to know that so many friends, family, shipmates passengers and crew loved and respected my beloved husband, as I did. The hundreds of letters, cards and emails I received for Michael have brought me great solace and I am very happy to share them here. As well, many wonderful people phoned and visited to help me through the dark days, and for all of you my most grateful thanks.

 

The tributes have been gathered into pdf files alphabetically by surname. If your tribute does not appear here, please accept my apologies and let me know immediately. If the pdf file does not open you may not have Adobe Reader on your computer.

 

Click on link to download free Reader.

 

I have put photographs with as many tributes that I could. I would love to have photos with all of them so if your tribute does not have a photograph or if you have a favourite one with Mike, please send it and I will add it to your letter or card.

 

With gratitude and affection Wendy

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U	V	W	Y	Condolence Book from the MV Discovery