Proud of NJF today.... RIP LAB

[Reel Class]

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.

[shrimpman steve]

Tom
Please let us know if you, or mikes family needs anything over the next few days.

[bunker dunker]

My Son And I Hit The Voyager For A Night Ling Trip A While Back.we Are
Up In The "pointy Part Of The Boat" When I Here From Behind Me"what Are You Lost" And Sure As Hell Its Lab With That Smerk On His Face.my Son And I Were Going To Have A Little Contest To See Who Could Catch More Ling.well Mike Finds Out And Takes Right Up With My Son Chris{who Also Thought The World Of Lab}.well It Was A Long Night For Me With Lab Doing Everything He Could To Keep Me From Catching.
We Laughed Until Our Sides Hurt And Then We Laughed A Little More.he
Was Just A Great Guy Who Loved Life And It Will Always Be My Pleasure To Have Had A Friend Like Mike.

[wink_man]

I'm still having a hard time with this. It's like I had a bad dream last night but it didn't go away this morning.

Being pretty much a loner, there are not to many people that 'float my boat' so to speak, but Michael was definitely one of the few.

Michael and I had many wonderful conversations, about people, fishing, and life in general, on the internet, cell phone, and most importantly in personal conversations around town.

While many saw him as a ballbuster(which he definitely was), I saw the side of him that was intellectual with intelligence, blended with the correct degree of common sense in everything he said and did. He was also very perceptive at reading people.

I will never forget him, or our conversations and was looking for more of it this spring. It was very hard not to love the guy in my opinion.

And while Michael saw himself as a small guy, and often joked about it, he may not have realized it but he was a giant of a man.

Again, my condolences and deepest sympathies to his family and to everyone who knew and loved him.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Keep these things coming... I'm sure there are a ton more LAB stories to be shared. We can compile them here and give them to the family afterwards.

Here is just one of my LAB stories:

Mike's mind was like a trap door... He remembered every conversation, every post and never forgot a name. He knew and stored up information about everyone he came in contact with. Watching him work the deck of a boat was masterful as he'd jump around the deck stopping to talk to everyone and related on a personal level the things he remembered about you. It was actually quite flattering because while he was using this information to bust your balls, you knew he remembered you. The odds he would post for the PUOSU trip were a perfect example of this.

Me and a bunch of guys from the site had booked a charter trip. We get back to the dock and who is waiting for us?? Mike.

Not only did he pick up on and remember we were going out but as an act of kindness was there to greet us when we got back with "cawfees".

It's these sort of things that made Mike who he was. Epic ball busting with a smattering of unexpected acts of kindness that made you feel special.

[broken bobber]

Great Idea Gerry.. the stories i have re endless.... and some I CANT EVEN MENTION HERE LOL......

while fishing tourneys or just out mike had no problem what so ever telling me hey there is so so... slow down and head over there, and when we as he would say, got in range, bam..... he would shoot a moon your way in histerical fashion, and if you were special to him you would get a shot of his "OSCAR GAMBLE" which we labeled his frontal pubic region...hahahaha...

i can see him now setting a hook on a fish and getting on his tippy toes while doing it..... snapping rod in half like no other.....always getting the first dogfish......just so many more things.....

[Art Berkman]

Oldie But a Goodie !

[CatchEmUp]

Bump to the top - I never knew or met LAB (but was certainly aware of him) and it is wonderful to see how he is being remembered.

These should all be printed and given to his family.

[gypsy]

I have been with this site since the beginning, haven't posted much, but always lurking and reading. I had Sand Flea on my old Whaler, Irish Angler on another lost NJFishing.com member Land Shark's boat fluke fishing out of Pt. Pleasant, remember most Irish Angler pushing his biceps up like in the little rascals trying to flex, and Mikes cell phone ringing so much, he didn't get to put his line in the water for too long. The day was slow, as I remember a few skate, but the shit flew, and lots of laughs, Prayers go out to his family, they say he's gone to a better place, but his work wasn't finished here Rest In Peace Michael

[Solemate]

Rip Lab