Monday, February 7, 2022
I’m very saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Although it’s been nearly 45 years since I’ve seen Mike, he was a dear friend and a wonderful influence and me. Growing up across the street from the Whalen’s was a very special aspect of Farmer Street in the 60s and 70s. The summer before our first year in high school Mike convinced me to join him taking summer school classes. Largely due to this I was able to graduate in 3 years. Mike and I listened to music, read books, played chess, wrote poetry and discussed everything. We ran the fields and the woods, jumped off the cliffs at Sylvia Lake and spent a week at my grandparent’s cottage in the Finger Lakes. When we were 18 the two of us got our first apartment on the edge of town. Soon, girlfriends and careers took us in different directions. All these years later I still consider Mike to have been an important part of what makes me, me. Thanks, Pal.
Danny Coots
