on sunday night, mike got a call that his "uncle" stan had died. stan and his wife jeannie lived next door to mike's childhood home and were much more than neighbors to him.

mike went on the funeral home site and posted the following, which i now post for you.


I will never forget “Uncle” Stan, even if he hadn’t consistently reminded me well into my late twenties that he used to change my diapers. He owned the house next to ours on Millbank Street, but he was much more than a neighbor to my family. He helped watch over us kids and he and Jeanne would frequently come over on the holidays and birthdays. I also spent countless hours in his basement playing with Transformers that he would buy specifically for me. Because of all the love and care he gave me, I grew to love him like a grandparent. Stan also tried very hard to teach me about life, religion, and hard work. He would reward when I memorized Bible verses and would consistently ask me what new thing I had learned each day, impressing on me that there was always something new to be learned. I am particularly glad that I was able to see him one last time this past summer at the open house celebrating the completion of my Ph.D. True to form, he gave me a new Transformer along with a photo album of pictures from my childhood with him. I’ve attached some of the photos. Try to ignore the little redhead and appreciate the man that loved me, cared for me, and encouraged me to become the kind of man I strive to be.