I can't believe he's wearing those stupid wings.

Mikey was one of the best people I ever knew.

I feel lucky and honored he called me his good friend.

We all love you, Mikey. We always will.

Unbelievable. One of nicest, most caring, most social, smartest, and most fun people I've ever had the pleasure to call my friend. Mikey, I hope that you did not suffer at all and that you will be watching down on the rest of us.

Mike, I always loved the good humor you took everything in life with. You were a great, generous guy, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to know you.

I am so glad we saw Mikey at New Year's. It had been too long before that. What a guy, always cheering me up when he noticed I needed it, always welcoming me into the group, both the first time and when I came back for good.

Mike, although we never met in person, I felt like you were a friend nonetheless. You will be dearly missed.

Mike.....
We will remember you in our hearts.

Art

We were definitely better for having known him.

Mike was one of the kindest and most compassionate men I've ever met. He offered a wonderful friendship and humor to eveyone he knew. We miss you and we'll always remember you.

God's speed Mike. Watch over us now as you did in life. You will be sorely missed.

Everytime I saw Mike he was smiling and everything about him said "nice guy". I am very sorry for those who were close to him and hope the best for all of you during this difficult time.

Who else could you get to buy an underage brother a jug of red wine . . . . to cook with? (Poached Cotechino Sausage Dish-True Story) Mike was one in a million. I wish that I had taken that walk down Clark Street more often. I will never forget how this "stranger" plopped down next to me on the 22 bus whilst minding my own business looking through the songbook to "Beauty and the Beast" or "Jekyll & Hyde". Happy, but random meeting. Thank you for your kindness, giving-nature, and smile. You inspired many of us to live the dream. May your song live on in those you touched!

Mike, you were one of, if not the, kindest, sweetest, most generous people I knew. You always let us know, in your sappy way, how much you cared about us and always made us feel so good to be your friend. You always had a smile, a joke, and a warm heart. You were truly one of a kind and will be missed more, and by more people, than you ever could have possibly imagined.

In the 11 and a half years I knew Mike, he taught me a lot about friendship, faith, hope and acceptance. No matter when I called or what stupid drama prompted the call, he always made time to listen. Over the years I watched him grow as a person and with each new skill he mastered or challenge he tackled, he just became even more of a wonderful person(even when you thought that wasn't possible). He spoke of his family so often they began to feel like our own family. And just when we felt they had 'dodged the bullet' with his dad, this has to happen. Every little thing the past 48 hours has reminded me of him or one of his stories. I have just found it too overwelming. But the fact that the friends that are here to support me now are the friends that Mikey gave me only seems fitting. He was such a giving person and people who only met him briefly could see that. I only hope that someday we can all find a way to accept this and to use what Mike taught us about friendship to brighten other people's lives as that will be the ultimate tribute to Mike.

I just learned a few minutes ago about Mike's passing, and I am deeply moved and saddened. I first met Mike when he was an undergrad at U of I and a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity chapter there. I was the "Province Governor," and a practicing lawyer in St. Louis at the time. As a result, Mike and I hit it off, especially after he entered law school, and although I probably hadn't seen him in five or six years at least, he always made a point to send me an E-mail periodically updating me on his progress, asking for advice (especially in law school), or whatever. I will miss him and miss receiving the updates about his career.

Hail, Sinfonia, Brother Massing. OAS AAS LLS

"Sacrifice, secret zeal, and truth."

Correction: of course, Brother Massing was in graduate school at U of I, not undergrad. The sentiments remain, however.

Mikey - as I write this, I picture you with your goofy grin smiling and blushing at what people are saying about you - and its all true!! you are one of the best people I ever had the privelege to know and was lucky to call you friend. You will be missed. I keep thinking of you constantly - your warmth, your love and of course your silliness and I will always have those memories, which right now make me smile and cry, but as the years go by - the tears might fade but the smile will always be there when I think of you. love u mikey!!!!!

Mike,

I remember your heartwarming smile, your cheerfulness. I remember the way you took nothing personally, because you always believed in the goodness of others. Because of that, you brought out everyone's best.

We will miss you sorely, but I hope to keep those memories alive by following your example.

I've waited this long to post 'cause I've tried to put together the right words to express how much Mike meant to me and how much better off the world is since he was in it. I don't think those words exist, so I'll just say I love you Mikey.

I could not believe the news when I heard of Mike's tragic passing tonight. I first met Mike in grade school. I always remember him as a kind, caring soul. It is so good to hear he had a lot of good friends whom he cared so much about. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends who miss him so much. I am glad Mike was a part of my life.

I met Mike briefly when we were both young undergrads (and Sinfonians). I heard about his passing from a friend of mine, a classmate of his. Reading the fantastic tributes makes me regret not having known him better. My deepest condolences to his friends and family.

I am so shocked. It's literally Erev Shabbos D'varim now when I received the news and this link. And, I know I tried reaching him in the last month. Wow! Michael was an amazing friend. I remember him from my 2 years at UIUC undergrad. He was one the most upbeat people you'd ever meet. He'd brighten up your day in an instant. He definitely made things upbeat when I was going through a rough spot in my educational pursuits. And, he just knew how to be supportive when you needed it. He was genuinely a member of the Jewish community in Illinois. I feel ultimately lucky knowing a tremendous person like Mike.

what can one say when a kind, compasionate, intelligent,and a sweet"nashoma" is so tragically taken from us. i loved and admired mike so much. we would sit and chat at hillel all the time, he was so comfortable to be with. my heart goes out to his dear family whose lives will never be the same. I have such a deep sadness just writing this and thinking about him and the wonderful future he would have had, and all the goodness and creativity he would have contributed to life. my deepest and most heartfelt sympathaties to his family

I was just informed of this tragic news this evening. I knew Mike while at the University of Illinois. What a kind, sweet person he was. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family.

Well...it's been almost 6 months now. The terrible lump that has been in the back of my throat for quite some time now is beginning to pull on my heart strings once again. I have been writing a letter to Mike since February, and I hope to finish it to send it to his parents in January. For those of you who knew Mike like I did, it's hard to believe that such an amazing and incredible life is no longer with us. It is people like Mike that give us the hope that one day all will be right in the world...for it is his smile and his personality that light up any room, and can make anyone, no matter how foul their mood, smile. I have been trying to find out information on the coward that caused the accident, but I have found no news about it. If anyone sees or hears anything, please let me know. For now, I have my memories and the pictures to remind me of how wonderful Mike truly was. Since I know he can see us all as we still mourn this loss, I hope he knows how much I and I am sure we all truly loved him

To all of you who took the time to write your thoughts I feel honored. Mike was the best son anyone could ever ask for. He was always there for his family and friends. He made friends where ever he went. Its amazing to me how he touched so many people. The university of Illinois has even started a memorial schloarship in his name aat the Law School. Anyone intersted in more information please E-mail at the above e-mail address. Again thank you to all of you for being Mikes friend.
Sincerely
The Massing Family

I just noticed that my E-Mail address does not show up in my previous message. If anyone is interested it is ira.massing@comcast.net. Thank You.

Ira Massing

I'm at work right now and I need to vent. I didn't intend to leave a message this late, or even on THIS DAY. But I've always wanted to say that even though I meet Mikey a few times, each time I enjoyed his company and had fun. Despite hardly knowing him, I had this strange feeling of closeness to him, like I could have been a good friend like the rest of you. Maybe it's because we share a birthday, but I don't know. Of the few memories I have of him, my favorite one is when we were paired off together to pack all the items in Mark and Amy's pantry. Packing is never fun, but in the middle of the packing, labling, taping and hauling, we decided to have our own dorky joke by labling the obviously marked Kitchen Aid box "Mixer", and misspelling "alcohol", among other things. Also, at the White Elephant gift exchange on New Year's Eve, I somehow knew that Mikey would get my present which meant that he had to kiss me at midnight. I don't want to think of it like this, but I think of it as a kiss good-bye. He pecked me on the cheek and said "Good-bye". Good-bye, Mikey. I find myself saying "good-bye" more than once.

A year has gone by now, and I cannot help the feelings of sorrow rushing back. He was my pledge dad in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, stood up for me at my wedding, and was a great friend to me and everyone he knew. I think it will be years until will feel o.k. when February arrives. The world was a better place because he was in it, and he will always be remembered.

I'm glad that my last memory of Mikey is a happy one - Beyond Balderdash on the night the angel wing picture was taken! I talk to him sometimes when I'm alone - I hope he doesn't mind.

I just found this out and I'm devastated. Mike was always there when you needed a friend - to cry on, to have near or to be silly with. I am so sorry I didn't keep in touch. My life has been and now will always be lesser for it.

Wow...hard to believe it's been as long as it has. My wife and I are expecting a child and I hope in my heart that even just a little bit of Mike's spirit lives on in our child. What's scary is that the baby is due in early February! It seems that with every passing day another new memory comes back to me and I can't but wonder if Mike has something to do with that. Anyway, I love Mike just like many of you and I hope you all can have brighter days just thinking of Mike!

hmmm - I feel that this entry deseves a comment so I will say - I feel like the visible part of my face in the puppy picture looks like a freaking Joker mask. I swear - I've had no facelifts.

I am still sorry my darling husband forgot to send his stuff to Amy on time for the party...

Well...it's been almost 6 months now. The terrible lump that has been in the back of my throat for quite some time now is beginning to pull on my heart strings once again. I have been writing a letter to Mike since February, and I hope to finish it to send it to his parents in January. For those of you who knew Mike like I did, it's hard to believe that such an amazing and incredible life is no longer with us. It is people like Mike that give us the hope that one day all will be right in the world...for it is his smile and his personality that light up any room, and can make anyone, no matter how foul their mood, smile. I have been trying to find out information on the coward that caused the accident, but I have found no news about it. If anyone sees or hears anything, please let me know. For now, I have my memories and the pictures to remind me of how wonderful Mike truly was. Since I know he can see us all as we still mourn this loss, I hope he knows how much I and I am sure we all truly loved him.

I found this and sent it to you (all of the yahoogroup, actually).

I'm glad that my last memory of Mikey is a happy one - Beyond Balderdash on the night the angel wing picture was taken! I talk to him sometimes when I'm alone - I hope he doesn't mind.

Agreed, songs lyrics can be powerful and really speak to you. And depending on where you are in life they say different things.

The song that affected me most after his death was
My Immortal by Evanescence (which was on the radio practically every day on the ride home from work for the first 3 months after the accident)

'. . .if you have to leave
i wish that you would just leave
because your presence still lingers here
and it won't leave me alone

these wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time cannot erase. . .'

And now almost a year later I can hear that song and still sob which tells me I have not healed and reminds me it does hurt to be the ones left behind.

I can honestly say that a world without Mikey still pains me to think about any time I let myself do so. His life touched many. That unknown driver changed so many lives that night. And while we are all much better people thanks to Mike's involvement in our lives, we are the ones left behind; the ones with the empty place in our hearts and the dead e-mail address and phone numbers which once offered the most wonderful support and friendship.

And to think I almost made it through today without crying about our lost friend. It is going to be a long couple of weeks.

I feel like I have to say one more thing about Mike. I didn't have the best relationship with my mother...and Mike was always there through every argument and fight I had with her. When Mom passed away in December (10 months after Mike), all I could think about was how I really needed Mike at that moment. And, I could feel he was there. He's always here, and he always will be.

Congratulations my friend :) Best of luck to all of you.

How awesome is that?! Best of luck to the both of you. I think you'll be truly outstanding parents. Cheers!!!
Doc

Congrats to you and Mrs. Oblivion!! Being a parent is the greatest joy of my life and is something that you can't even imagine until you see that little baby come into this world. Best Wishes and Enjoy!!