Today is December 2, 2008.
It has officially been one year since your passing Mike.
Within those minutes and hours, which slowly turned to days, you have been missed and thought of often.
So many things in our lives have stayed the same yet seem unfamiliar and clouded without you being here to share in the everyday moments. Just watching a game of football does not have the same clarification it once had; not being able to call you up on Sunday morning and say, “Who you going to pick, and what’s the point spread?” and no matter what your answer the laughter and the banter filled a room and the distance.
That distance is much greater now with you watching us from above yet still so close; watching your little ones grow up and making your presence known in some way with your ever ending approval of what we are doing now. We remember the simple strokes of the hair as we walked into the house to greet you and in return were greeted with a smile and a hug. We remember the laughs, the stories, and the life.
It has been a year, 365 days of missing the man, the husband, the father, the grandfather, the friend. We honor your memory Mike by lighting this candle.
posted by Steve 12/02/2008 09:46:00 AM
Testing.
posted by Steve 1/14/2008 10:50:00 AM
Hello Everyone,
It’s been a month now since we have been in touch with everyone, just want to keep you up to date with the Sack family……..Queen mom is doing fine
She has been kept very busy!! We all made it through the holidays and we have a new addition to the family. My brother Steven and his wife Mari had
A beautiful 6lbs 7oz baby boy on December 28th! He is dad’s name sake and our new blessing “Micah Sack”. If you look to the left you will see “Movie Page” then click on “Micah is here!” and you will get to see our new addition. Everyone has been hanging in there Fudgy is driving the queen mom and all of us crazy and all the little ones are doing great. Kenta is trying to adjust as the “Big Brother” and my daughter Jasmine has been at Horse Camp for Christmas break. Scotty and
His family are settled back in Arizona and we all spent the holidays together via web cam. It has been hard since dad’s passing but he is with us at all times. For those of you that are wondering about his medical condition, it seems as though he had Kidney Disease and Amlyoidosys, at least that is what we are being told at this time. We will keep you up to date. It is a new year and a new life for the Sack family especially for Queen Mom, but do not worry we will all keep her on
Her toes………………
Debbie
posted by Steve 1/03/2008 01:01:00 PM
Hello Everyone,
Before my father passed, he wrote the following letter to his family. My mother would like to share it with you all and thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support during this time.
Steven
Eileen, we talked about me leaving you this letter. I promised you I would always be around and try not to leave you over by yourself. I tried….I wanted to stay…I don’t like to think about you being without me but you are not alone. We have our family and they need you and will stay close to you. I am not a religious person so I don’t know what happens after a person dies. Its something no one knows the answer to so just continue to love me from your memories of us together. You know there is always talk about good people going to heaven. Heaven means going someplace that’s nice, a relaxed happy place with love and peacefulness. If that’s so then I was already there. I loved being with you in our beautiful home. I was so happy and content. That was heaven, so at least I didn’t miss out on the good stuff. We had each other, and we had our kids. What a great combination. You’re a good person. Not everyone knows how special you really are but I do because I see the love you can give. Especially the way you love me. I used to think that if I was ever left alone I would be strong knowing I had someone who loved me so completely. It feels good. I want you to feel the same way. I loved you the same way also. You know that of course but I am just reminding you not to feel abandoned. As I am typing this message too you you’re in the kitchen getting dinner ready. I’m going to come over to you and hug you and kiss you on the cheek as I sometimes do and inside I am saying “I love you and your wonderful”. Have confidence honey. Be who you are and if you have any doubts….talk to me. I promise…if there is a way….i will be listening.
Debby….you were sitting in my lap in our car. Mom was driving. When you said your first word. I remember it so clearly. You pointed to something and said “See!” I remember it like it was yesterday. I can still picture it. Mom driving and you were wearing a snow suit. No matter how old you get… You’re my girl. You’re my daughter…. I like saying that.
Scotty…What a package of energy. You make me so proud. Your big and tall and fill up any room you walk in too…not only in size, but in your heart. You’re my son and I am so glad. I love you so much. You’re a proud and happy father. When it was time for me to raise a family and I had visions of what I would want my son to be….your doing it.
Steven….You have this great quality about you. We never seem to have enough time to just sit around and talk. Even when we have enough time….I want more. You know how much I love you. You show your feelings to me so often by just being there when I need you. And I always need you. I just feel good having you around.
I love you all.
You guys made my life a success. If you all read this letter then it’s over for me. You made me a happy man. I want more, but I had a lot…Don’t forget your still a family. You’re still all the same people. Hopefully it will be a long time before you get to read this. I am not forgetting about my extended family either. There is Lisa and Mari and my little ones. I leave it too you guys to explain me to the girls and boys. Life goes on and they have a long time to learn about what life is like. They have a good family and I hope they will always be happy.
Eileen….keep an eye on them. You’re the Queen Mom and you have a lot to give. I love you so much.
Mike
We laughed with him
We learned from him
We leaned on him
We loved him
So did many others, here are just a few of the memorials to Mike
My Husband
A beautiful life that came to an end, he died as he lived everyone’s friend…………..
Michael was popular, witty, and the life of the party. I was the chubby caboose.
But he chose ME, included ME, and took care of ME, all 48 wonderful years he always mad me feel comfortable and well protected.
He was always there to get me out of trouble with my big mouth. I could always count on him.
He is more than my husband, my lover, and he is much more than my friend. HE IS MY HEART AND MY HERO!
My heart is now broken and Michael has now left us, but he will always be in my heart.
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL…………………….ALWAYS
My Father, My Hero
I remember as a little girl, I looked at you and saw my knight in shinning armor.
I remember as a gawky teen-age girl
I looked and saw you hovering and protecting me despite my protests
You taught me to be strong and independent within the reach of your guiding hand.
I remember as a young woman I looked at you and I saw a big alligator tear in your eye,
You looked at me and smiled for no apparent reason and I new you loved me
Now I look at you and realize you were always there for me………..
Tough, yet tender…..stern yet giving.
You were my strength when I was weak and nurtured me in your own special way.
Forever and for always Pop, you will always be my hero….
I love you
Debby
My entire life everyone has always told me how “cool” my father was. How great it must have been to grow up in a household with parents like mine. I have heard that hundreds of times, will, I can tell you, they where right.
As all of you know, my father had a way about him, “realness”, a guy who’s personality transcended age, race and religion. The joke around his house on the weekends is that the phone rings every 15 minutes, without fail. Always someone touching base or wanting to discuss this or that, or just calling to say “F you Mike, I miss you.” The conversations he had could last for hours. It’s silly but I used to get jealous. I was the one you could all hear in the background, who are you talking to now dad? As an adult I found myself doing the same. Calling him all the time. Talking about everything and anything. I will miss the advice, the conversations, and most of all the man. I am the man I am today because of him. He use to say to me often, “you can accomplish anything you want, all you have to do is put your mind to it.” I will POP, I will.
As a detective for 18 years and a man with hands on experience he knew everything I ever did. Good and bad. As Teddy can attest to, when we were teenagers we spent hours with him couch lecturing, when he caught us doing wrong or right, he instituted in us, respect for self and above all, respect for others. It seems corny writing it this way but that was what he was about. Respect and Honor.
The lectures and teachings over the years instituted just that in me. Love and respect for all. He loved life, every living creature. Mom would yell at him because he wouldn’t kill a roach when he found one. He would pick it up and take it out back and let it go. Any insect, any animal within reach was touched by him in a way only he had.
Many call him a Hero. That he is too many, I call him Dad.
I love you Dad,
Steven
You have been and always will be my inspiration for living. You kept our family unit together for my entire 42 years of life. You taught me how to be the man, husband, father and provider. You were there when I had questions and you always new the answer.
Words can not put into meaning how I feel today with your passing. I miss you dearly and will never stop loving you. We will take care of mom and the family like you would want us to. I will continue to make you proud.
Love,
Scotty
Grandpa,
I know you can’t hear me, but I just want to tell you that I LOVE YOU and I think I’m more sat than you. I LOVE YOU. That’s all I really wanted to say because I do. I love you so, so, so much.
Sarah
A boat beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July……..
Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear………
Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die.
Autumn frosts have slain July.
Still she haunts me, phantom wise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.
Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream…………
Lingering in the golden gleam…………..
Life, what is it but a dream?
Love you daughter-in-law,
Lisa
I don’t think you can say just a few words about my Uncle Mike, because it would take a lifetime, (48 years to be exact). But I can say every memory I have of him brings a smile to my face. From the time I was a boy swimming in the bay off Long Island, digging for clams, to taking us (Kimberly, Tyler, Carly and Me) to eat steaks so big you wouldn’t be hungry for a week!
Oh yeah, I forgot, he would joke around and say, Junior did you go to the bathroom, that’s very important you know.” I’ll bet he‘s asking everyone in heaven that same question, because Grandma Sylvia is up there cooking!
Well, I know you will be looking down on us from that Sackshack in the sky.
We all love you and hope you are at peace.
Love,
Freddie Jr.
For those who don’t know me, I am Mike’s sister-in-law Barbara. I knew Michael since the age of 11. We all lived in a little community called Shenorock.
When my niece called me on Saturday, and said Daddy’s gone I couldn’t believe it. I really thought he could beat it. I knew he hated the quality of his life, but we kept telling him there’s always hope. He wanted to believe he was going to make it so badly. I think he knew it was ending.
What I remember most are the great times I had with him and my sister. The trips we took to Florida and to the Keys. The first one was over 27 years ago and one I will never forget. If you knew Mike at all, you knew he was all about his women not eating, whether they are his wife or sister-in-laws.
On this particular trip he wouldn’t let us eat until dinner time. He would let us have a drink (we had Vodka in the car) at 2:00 pm and that was it. Eileen and I were starving. He let us top and buy a bag of peanuts (they only had this large, large bag) however he would only let us eat 10 peanuts each.
Finally Mike couldn’t drive anymore and went to sleep in the back seat. I was driving and I told Eileen to get the nuts! We started eating them and throwing the shells out the window. Then it starting pouring really hard so we couldn’t throw the shells out the window in fear Mike would get wet and wake up. We threw them on the floor of the car on the passenger side. By the time he got up we were ankle deep in peanut shells, he couldn’t believe we could eat so many. He then said we would wait an extra 2 hours before eating dinner. He’s lucky he make it out of the car alive that day. You can’t give us Vodka and no food.
The next trip was 5 years ago for my 60th birthday. It was a blast with him taking pictures of Eileen and me swimming with the dolphins and all his commentary, and I mean all his commentary.
These are only a few of the memories I will remember about my wonderful brother-in-law.
I will miss you Michael, and I will never forget the laughter.
Barbara
Words cannot express the emotions that are flowing through our hearts. Although we did not see you guys all the time you were and are always in our hearts and mind. The internet kept us in touch and the updates help us keep track of all the Sacks. The short visits either on our way up or down were great and his wit never quit. I will miss his sense of humor and our small talk about the “job”. He touched so many lives in his stay in this world and we were very lucky that he touched ours. I will never forget our times together, from the boat, to the time in the hospital with Mayor Koch, to our last visit. We love you and will be there to send you off to a place where there is not pain.
Love,
Adria and Arnie
My regrets on not attending do to my resent surgery. I not only lost a good friend, I lost a person who was like a brother to me. I was a very lucky person to have met Mike and his family 35 years ago. He was a person who would always make you laugh and bring your spirits up with his humor. Mondays and Thursdays was our outing. We would go get coffee, lotto tickets and watch gaiters. Those days will never be the same. He will be greatly missed by me and my family.
May he rest in peace.
Michael Ortynski
Dear Eileen,
It’s hard to imagine that we have been together for over 35 years, let alone your being married for 48. As both of us reflect back to the first time Stewie met both of you, it seemed like yesterday when you cornered him at Jack and Minerva’s and Mike gave him fair warning about the family he was about to become a part of. He said “GET OUT NOW!!!!!”
The younger days of our relationship were filled with many fond memories shared with both of you in your home and on the boat (going claming and other things!!!), as well as playing with the three little cutest kids on earth. Both Mike and you opened your hearts to us and we will never forget that.
Michael was a very special person – witty, independent and most of all, caring. In the few days that have passed, we have discussed the walks and talks we had with Michael in our last visit with you. His passion for life, his desires and most of all, his love for his family.
While you have lost your soul mate, Debbie her hero and Scotty and Steven their best friend, you all will always have his heart and his inspiration to guide you always. We will all miss him dearly.
All our love,
Anne and Stew
Dear Eileen,
Susan and I send our love and share you sadness.
Mike was great and the two of you created a wonderful family which is the best memorial anyone can have.
We would like to send a donation in Mike’s honor to a charity of your choosing.
Love,
Allan
Dear Eileen, Scotty, Debbie and Steven,
We are here, so many of us, to celebrate the life of a man who was so much to each of us.
We each have a story that involves Michael, in one way or another. Michael has a story that involves every one of us. He knew us each as an individual person and he had an impact on our lives. Although we don’t all know each other, we are all here for the same reason. That being, to pay tribute to Michael Sack: Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and friend.
Personally, I thank Michael for the humor he shared with the world he knew. He found a way to express a life of knowledge, experiences, love, trails and tribulations and even his profound illnesses, with humor. Just read some of the Sackshack he entered in regard to some tests and procedures he went through. It wasn’t funny, what he was going through but he told us about it in his own way. A way that would not bring pity or fear from his friends. He didn’t want that. What he got was RESPECT and more love from those who loved him and knew him.
It is an honor to know Michael and t be part of his life.
Kathy Dahm
From the Lindenhurst Santa,
In the late 60’s I used to go around to all my neighbors on 35th Street and give candy canes to all the children. Well very much to my surprise one Christmas I was on my rounds and I saw this little girl Debbie playing in the snow on Albany avenue. I went over to her and offered her a cane. Her dad came out and he invited me in to warm up with a little cheer. When I got in the house I saw they had no Christmas tree and also found out they were my new Jewish neighbors. We became fast friends as all of you know Mike and Eileen are the most lovable people. We were together for about 8 years and we and our children had some great times together. When we moved to Illinois it was a sad time. After Mike retired and moved to Florida we visited them a few times as my Mom and Dad lived in Clearwater. We have stayed in touch over all these years and by buddy whom I taught how to boat and enjoy the Great South Bay will be sorely missed by me and mine. I want to convey all our love to Eileen, Debbie and the boys. I will miss Dads great humor and friendship.
Goodbye old friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
George & Peggy Haas
posted by Steve 12/09/2007 10:59:00 AM
Hello Everyone........It's me Debbie
I just wanted to let you know that my hero has lost the very hard fight. This morning
at 5:30am my father has passed away. He fought so very hard for he loved life so much!!
He is not suffering anymore and that is the most important thing of all. My family & I thank all of you for your loving words and support through out the last seven months. He is going to be greatly missed for he touched so many lives with his knowledge and humor. My father will be put to rest on Wednesday December 5th at 11:00am at the Deltona Memorial Gardens where he will await the arrival of Queen mom some day. There will be a grave site memorial and we are going to all take turns in speaking about my hero. If anyone would like to send us their thoughts please email them and we will try to read them at the memorial. For all others the address of the Cemetery is as follows: Deltona Memorial Gardens
1295 Saxon Boulevard
Orange City, Fl. 32763
386-775-4260
For those of you that will be attending it is exit 111B Orange City off of Interstate 4, when getting off exit make a right then at the next light which is across from the Race Track gas station make a right into Deltona Memorial Gardens.
All my love to all and Queen mom is doing ok, she is very strong and after all she is the Queen!!
posted by Steve 12/01/2007 07:33:00 PM
To all my friends and family:
Mike is now at the Mayo clinic trying to get help with his many medical problems. He was admitted today to St. Luke’s Hospital (A Mayo Clinic Hospital) in Jacksonville, Fl. I am going to be up there with him for the next week. We Are very optimistic, and hoping they can help him. I will have Debbie or Steven keep you all posted on what is happening. If anyone can help him the Mayo Clinic can.
Thank you all for your prayers and concern.
Love to all “Queen Mom”
posted by Steve 11/28/2007 10:53:00 AM
Hello everyone, It’s me Debbie again…….I just wanted to thank everyone for your kind words and loving support for my hero, my dad! Just
To give you a little update, dad is still fighting and we are at a standstill right now with more tests and doctors then you can imagine. Dad is fighting so
Hard and none of us will give up!
I am sure you all have a story or two of your own about time spent with him or the family and we would love to hear some of them. Please put your story together
And email it to pop@sackshack.com , we all could use a great laugh, including my dad.Labels: Update
posted by Steve 10/18/2007 01:44:00 PM