Rest In Peace, Jersey Mike

[pammylam]

I only knew him through posts and things, but this is still a gut punch. Such a loss.

[ct]

After hearing the news about Mike last night, I needed a little bit of time to get my thoughts together. It's been just a little over 4 years since I was talked into joining The Hold Steady message board. It was something that I wasn't really interested in but I did anyways. Because of that decision, I have meet some really great people and I have become friends with a lot of them.

I know there are a lot of people that don't how much this "rock and roll" things means to us and they never will. This isn't something that we do just for fun. It's something that we have to do. We love what the bands sacrifice for us every night. We love looking in the crowd and seeing that person that just had their life changed by the band on the stage. We know that we are going to see our friends that have made that long trip to the show. This is who we are

It's only rock and roll but it has made our life better.

RIP JerseyMike

[zimmerframemosher]

I wouldn't believe it when John K sent me a text this morning about Mike.

I always regarded him as one of the true scene leaders especially on the board. The forum will be a little empty with his passing.

Alot of old names have posted over last few hours a sign of Mike's influence.

Sad on Mike's family especially his kids ... may he rest in peace.

[heidivandernice, nice]

info from facebook, from mike's sister veronica:

JERSEYS LITTLE SISTER HERE AGAIN.THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
6-9pm on Wednesday
8-10pm on Friday evening
funeral/church service to follow on Saturday morning.
Costa Memorial home in Hasbrouck Heights,NJ

MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE HAVING A MEMORIAL SERVICE IN HARRISBURG IN WEEKS TO FOLLOW.AT THIS WE WILL HAVE AN ALREADY SET UP SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR KAIYA AND LENNON.PLEASE STAY POSTED FOR FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS.IF THERE ARE ANY PICTURES ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SEND PLEASE SEND TO [e-mail].

STAY POSITIVE-HOLD STEADY ♥

[Nightclub Dwight]

Just checking back because I was hoping that a mistake had been made and there would be a heartfelt but joking post in the style of Mark Twain with Mike saying that the rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated. Unfortunately it looks like he is still dead and will probably remain so for quite a long time. Still can't believe it. Love you all.

[heidivandernice, nice]

NCD, i keep hoping it's a joke too.

[Mahoney]

Wow seeing all this stuff on facebook, it just boggles my mind. I never personally got to meet Mike, but seeing him on these boards for so long and on facebook, plus his writing, like others have said, he must've been one of the good one's, most likely best one's out there. This is very sad news, rest in peace.

[Rich Tarbell]

Nov 19, 2012 15:00:14 GMT -5 heidivandernice, nice said:

info from facebook, from mike's sister veronica:

WE WILL HAVE AN ALREADY SET UP SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR KAIYA AND LENNON.PLEASE STAY POSTED FOR FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS.

Thanks for finding this Heidi, I have reached out to Veronica to try to organize some kind of Unified donation and will post more info here when I hear back.

[Nightclub Dwight]

Sitting here feeling bad trying to pull myself together and Bruce Springsteen comes on the radio singing We Take Care of Our Own. It makes me smile.

[katieee]

this video at around 3:45 is mike as i will always remember him. <3

[Camie]

I really don't have any words.

Katieee's post above just opened up the floodgates.

[campfirewood1980]

Talking about the old pink and black board made me smile a bit as I remembered the days when Mike, Brendan, and I were trying to get the then-new site up.

We would stay up all night working on that thing, testing in a live environment (which we shouldn't have done, but we didn't know any better), with iChat windows open and driving each other crazy.

Mike was always good at alternately encouraging and flat-out kicking Brendan and me in the butt.

[somuchjoy]

Total unfair bullshit. For Mike, his kids, his friends and lovers, his scene, his city and for all those unfortunate people who never met his sweaty hug at the end of a show.

RIP, my friend.

P.S. I can't fucking conjure up the sweaty hug picture I had in mind. The rank inconsistency of a digital afterlife is just unnerving, and the increasing frequency of facing the decision as to whether and when to delete a contact... Well, fuck.

[Sunny D]

That fucking sucks. I never met him in person, but I'll sincerely enjoyed knowing him on the forums. Rest In Peace.

[Phils_fan]

I couldn't find a picture of Mike, but I found this fond memory of him.

[theoyster]

My thoughts and prayers go out to his children, family, friends and members of the Unified Scene.

The first time I met him was preshow Harrisburg 2010. We were exchanging drunken high fives and man hugs post show. Loved the band.

The day THS played the XPN fest in Philly this summer, my friend & his wife went to see Dick Dale in Harrisburg (Mike was promoting). I jokingly told my buddy if he saw Mike to ask when he was getting THS back to Harrisburg. My phone rings in Philly that night and it's my buddy saying "I'm here with Jersey Mike and he has a blank check ready for them!"

That 2010 Harrisburg show at The Abbey Bar is still my favorite THS concert experience.

RIP Jersey Mike. We are all The Hold Steady.

[Rich Tarbell]

Nov 19, 2012 18:46:25 GMT -5 somuchjoy said:

P.S. I can't fucking conjure up the sweaty hug picture I had in mind.

this one? august, 2008 @ the 9:30 club

[WhiskeyDaisy]

Last night, NCD said that he always expected that Mike would be at our wedding. Of course, I had expected it too.

My mom called last night. We had all been in Hbg for a family event and met up with Mike at Roxy's the next day. My mom really liked him. She was sad last night too.

Every time we'd be coming through Hbg, Mike was always ready to meet up, planning beer or breakfast. He was always there when I called or texted, with advice, ideas, plans, kindness.

I'm kicking myself for not kidnapping him on my way to Baltimore for the THS Rams Head show.

So much love. Unified, indeed.
XO
WD

[WhiskeyDaisy]

In the center there is a hot, soft light.
XO
WD

[oldestfan]

Although I never knew Jersey Mike, I always anticipated and respected his words on The Hold Steady's board. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. The world is better because he was here and is smaller without him. May his spirit soar with love and joy until his return. He won't be forgotten.

[Camie]

Whenever someone I knew became lost to this world I have always had some time to prepare. The family that I have lost have all passed from a terminal illness, and I had lots of time to reflect and accept that they were soon going to be taken from me before the moment came. Even my grandfather's death in Feb 2011, while many consider two weeks to be pretty sudden, was something that I was able to reconcile with before I watched him take his final breath in the ICU.

While I can't say I was close to Jersey Mike, I have seen a show or two with him, shared a beer or two with him, and enjoyed many a twitter or board conversation that he was a part of. This is a very sudden thing. Not having known what a sudden death is like, I was in quite a bit of shock last night when Brendan texted me the news. It took me until later today to really realize that this was for real. I still don't think that I have fully accepted that this has really happened.

As I said, I didn't know him well, but the times I shared with him were memorable ones. Each of us will remember different moments, or the same moments in different ways, but here is one thing I know for sure, Jersey Mike made a mark on all of us. He scratched his mark into all of our souls. I know that my music list this week will be very Bruce and Hold Steady heavy. I know I'll pour one out for him at the next show, and offer any other Scene members there a shot in his memory. Here's to remembering not just a great member of our small community here, but a great member of society as a whole. In the few times heard about his family life, he was doing it right. Here's to a great music promoter, to a true scene leader, and to a wonderful father and family man. Here's to Jersey Mike.

[heidivandernice, nice]

there's also this one. i think mike's brother got arrested that night...

[hoodrat]

Nov 19, 2012 20:12:30 GMT -5 Rich Tarbell said:

Nov 19, 2012 18:46:25 GMT -5 somuchjoy said:

P.S. I can't fucking conjure up the sweaty hug picture I had in mind.

this one? august, 2008 @ the 9:30 club

<3

[heidivandernice, nice]

from facebook:

www.facebook.com/events/304612072986836/

The K&L Hold Steady Foundation;Rest in Rock&Roll Paradise Jersey Mike

Hello. Mikey obviously has a facebook page where I can post, but after a while due to the large & overwhelming amount of posts he is recieving, I needed to create something that aong with posting memories and thoughts, where I could update everyone on the arrangements in future days. The amount of food that has been sent to my house, is well, unreal. And I am sure the amount of flowers will be do- however, due to request of my parents and on be half of the siblings of Mike,we are asking that instead of spen
ding the money on flowers that(and to put this in a nice way.. do not live forever)please make a donation instead with the money you would have spent on the flowers.
The K&L foundation is for my neice and nephew, Mikes children, Kaiya and Lennon. Kaiya is the most gorgeous, polite, hilarious, well rounded 10 year old anyone could ever imagine. Lennon has a smile that could truly light up the entire universe, along with his silly giggles that could bring " music" to anyones ears.These children were my brothers world- and it is important to honor them-while honoring them.
All checks can bewritten out to " K&L" or "The K&L Hold Steady foundation" and sent to the address of Jay Bouser listed in the Obituary, or to 121 Lincoln Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights,NJ, 07604.

In further news, a memorial for the Harrisburg area at ABC is still in the works, and will be acted upon more once the NJ arrangements have concluded.But there too, all proceeds will be directly put into the K&L foundation.

Please help us honor my big brother, whether he was your cousin, your friend, your laugh, your smile, your annoyance(because we alll know he could get a little annoying ,a piece of your heart, or just someone you were able to celebrate music with.

-Stay positive, Hold steady.
♥ Little Jersey.

P.S. A large amount of us will be wearing Converse to the services. If you knew Mike, there is no explanation needed. Please feel free to do the same.

[Rich Tarbell]

Here are three clear ways to honor the memory of JerseyMike and donate the Kaiya and Lennon's caring fund ::

1) Direct - Send a check made out to "K & L Guardian Foundation" and send it to ::

K&L Guardian Foundation
c/o Jayson Bowser
1518 Green Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102

2) Unified - If you want to be part of a community Unified Scene donation (we will be including a letter to the kids on behalf of this community in honor and tribute to JerseyMike), again, make your check out to "K & L Guardian Foundation" but send it to ::

Rich Tarbell
45 Georgetown Green
Charlottesville VA 22901

3) Electronic - If you are overseas, out-of-country or simply don't have a checkbook, PayPal is an option. Since the foundation did not set that up, again, send via me and I will include those electronic donations with my check. With my donation I will also try to cover the 4% commission PayPal will charge on each of these. Send to ::

[e-mail]

I will give it a week or two for everything to come in. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.