Tom, the guy was simply unforgettable. He made that impression on EVERYONE he met the very first time they met him in person.
I hope it's OK I share some LAB stories that come to mind at 6AM, if not I'll take it down.
Having known Mike for 14 years, I got to know him pretty well waaay back in the beginning. He was the "arranger" of the NJF/CEO (NJfishing vs. stripersonline conger eel forum guys) fish-offs that we did regularly for a few years on Capt Robbie's Sea Hunter. Mike was the comic relief, the guy that yucked it up with everyone, and was the person who everyone gravitated to (pink bikini included! LOL). My very first impression of him in the AH parking lot was him arriving in the back of the Sea Hunter BLASTING hip-hop so loud it made me stop in my tracks - I said to myself, Who is this guy? He gets out, I semi-recognized his picture from NJF, and he introduced himself to me. Unforgettable first impression!
As time went on over the next couple of years and life started changing, he was still around. I wound up NOT going to a NJF gathering in the early fall of around 2003, and I opted to do something with my future wife up in CT at my alma mater. At about 2:30 that afternoon, my phone rings, and it was Mike. I picked up the cell phone, hear Mike talking already on the other end (he had a propensity to start a conversation with you on the phone as soon as he heard you pick up, nevermind the hello?) saying that fishing sucked, but it was better than going antiquing in Connecticut LOL - He then proceeded to wish us safe travels and said hello to my wife. That was Mike. Superior ball buster but a heart of pure gold.
When I started doing charters, LAB was right there to fish with me on the boat for a few consecutive years. He gave me great advice, feedback, and encouragement in the first few years and I truly wish he was here so I could thank him for that again. The "hot lemonade!" alarm still goes off on Reel Class at least once per day on our trips LOL
When I got married, we were back one day from our honeymoon, and the phone rings, it was him. More advice, more "how not to get your balls in a sling while married" talk LOL. That was who he was.
Over the last few years, even though we still talked a couple times a year, my relationship with LAB would be best described as both of us going different ways. But, if I needed him he was always there. Whenever I saw him, I made sure I gave him a big man hug, forget the handshake - I just hope he knew how I felt about him
In so many ways he mentored many of us in different ways and degrees, including me, and I'm simply heartbroken with his untimely and unfortunate passing.
The guy was truly one of a kind, he was unforgettable. May he RIP.
