theMan

Eulogy from Lorraine Bridger

40 years ago, Michael and I met.  From that day, began the most volatile, passionate, hilarious, argumentative, wondrous relationship possible.  Yet in all those years one true fact remained, I was truly and completely loved by a man who believed I was special.

He was really the special one.  I have never met a man who worked harder, or committed himself more completely to his passion for food, and teaching others to embrace that passion.  He really cared, felt things very deeply, and thought it was his role to support, help and guide anyone he knew who might need a little help along the way.
Even at the height of his illness he continued to work, always worrying about his students and how his absence might impact on his colleagues and the college. 
When he walked into a room, you had no doubt he was there, everything about him was passion, be it food, golf, fishing, cars, jokes, but above all his love of his family and friends.
He was far from perfect, but when he gave his friendship, he gave freely of his time and generosity, without any other thought than to stand by his word and to make his friends happy. 
He had a thirst for life, and fought hard to live, smiling and insisting that everything would be fine, and not to worry about him. When all the time he worried about how it was affecting his family

His spirit and strength of character was enormous, and even those who only met him recently told me how he had left an indelible mark on their lives. 

Despite everything that happened this last year Michael had a full life, travelled the world, had a career that brought him joy, and had some of the most wonderful human beings he called friends.  Friends who have stood beside me in a way I can never repay.

Everyone here today I hope will remember a moment in their lives when he stood beside them, made them laugh, made them glad to know him, or were just happy to call him friend. 
But please, don’t be sad for either Michael or me.  Together we had a marvellous roller coaster of a ride through life, he gave me two amazing daughters, and he loved me.  Apart from wanting him here now, what more could I ask for?

Now he walks by my side free of all the pain,  knowing I love him with an equal passion, and thank him for choosing to spend his life with me.

Thank you so very much for coming and honouring the man he was.