Obit1a

Hello All,

My Family has just returned from the wake, funeral and burial of Michael Daly
who will always be alive in our hearts and minds ....
We feel deeply the loss of our good friend Michael and between the tears that well from my eyes,
I will try to explain the events of the last 2 days.

   First, I would like to express my deepest regrets to Michaels imediate family,starting with his children Mike Jr. Michelle and Erin who really held themselves together through the deepest pain a person could feel... Real troupers...Michael would have been very proud ( and I'm sure that he is ! ) of them as well as his three sisters and 2 brothers. Denise Daly did an incredible job of handling all the things that happened so quickly while juggling youngsters and all the aftermath of Michaels passing ... Doing the things that needed to be done... organizing the family... giving moral and physical support to those that needed it when they needed it the most.

Kathy Gagan, Michaels Fiancee and girlfriend of many years showed incredible strength and moral character both, while Mike was in the hospital and after he passed away... In the hospital, I can remember how supporting she was as she watched over Mike .Making sure that he was as comfortable as he possibly could be... helping Sid Gerson and myself as we all held Mikes hand as he Passed away... Holding us ,hugging us, talking to us .... And afterwards...She was there to help in any way that she could ... All the while, you could see the tears in her eyes as she held them back and spoke soothing words to everyone she met with.

Sid Gerson, Michaels Life long friend and partner in crime (you all know what I mean) also in deep pain at his loss, still had that "Sidney" Humor that could not help but pop up every once in a while and make everybody laugh ... something that we all needed desperately during this time.

I remember when he had to call Mike's house right after mike passed away at the hospital. Denise was at Mike's house at that moment and he wanted to tell her about Mike... and he got Mikes answering machine ...
Mikes voice message comes on... 'Hi, I'm not home right now, but I will call you back later....'I saw Sid stare at the phone... and asked, "what's up Sid"?
He looks at me and in typical Sid fashion says, "I just spoke to Mike and he said he would call me back"... and he cracks up with the Sid giggles ....
And I know he is in pain.....I could never explain in words the depth of feeling that each and everyone of us had during this time.

On Wed. we were at the wake. There must have been at least 250 people if not more during the course of the evening. It was an open casket and we all said what we wanted to say to Mike at this moment. Many of Mikes friends made it from all over... Alex Aakesson, Wayne Brough, Jules Crittenden, Craig Hegna Sybil Sollis were among some from ISB and countless others.

Afterwards, another good friend of Michael's, Joe Antonaccio invited Mike's family and close friends to come to his Thai Restaurant at his expense to enjoy some good Thai food, Mekong Whiskey and some Singha beer.... I'm sure Mike's spirit was there too ... After all Michael could never pass up a good time!!!!! Thank you Joe for a wonderful evening and some good conversations and remeberances.

Many of us stayed at Mike's house (lot's of room) as we were going to the funeral and cemetary the next day. We all got a chance to relax with the Daly family and keep each other company. We could feel people healing just a little...

The following morning we went to the funeral at the church where many people came to say their goodbyes and their prayers for Mike. The priest had many good things to say for all of us in our time of need. Sid said some verses for Mike, and Kathy Gagan said many good things in remeberance of Michael, She did an incredible job of expressing hers and our feelings ... you could feel the love she had for Michael.

Now... As far as the burial/cemetary went, Someone else may have to step in and give a better description than I!!! You see, In Typical Sid and Dan fashion, we passed the procession on the highway (they were going about thirty five!) So Of Course... We have NEVER driven that slowly... So we passed them. Then, We just HAD to get lost... went to the wrong cemetary...and finaly got to the right one after a few valiant tries. By then it was all over except the burial!!! Now, I know that this is something that should never have happened...but afterwards, I could see Mike standing there laughing and saying to us.... Fashionably Late Again Eh!!!!

                                            I can honestly say that at the next procession,
                         I will humbly stay in line, Snore at the wheel if I must, but stay in line!!!!
                                                Just another thing that Mike taught us!

These are just my thoughts of the days gone by and My own way of dealing with the pain that my wife Susan, my Son James and I felt and still feel during this time of grief and sad loss of a really good friend,

                    What I would like to say to all the ISBers out there is this...

All of you... come to the next reunion...

                                   Shed your tears now for Michael....

     Do you know why????

               Because Mike will be there in spirit ....

                                But only if we all promise to have a damn good time and celebrate for him ...

            If you knew Michael, he wouldn't want it any other way!

With much sorrow and grief at the passing of one of my dearest friends ,

Daniel Grandi

Written by~Daniel Grandi

Hey Daly,
Till next time...
ALOHA S.