I recently said good-bye to my best friend of almost 30 years, Michael Sullivan, who died February 7 of complications following heart surgery. He was 46 years old.
He & I always had different nicknames for each other over the years, and he started calling me "Marie Fromage" when I began working at The Cheese Shop of Upper Montclair way-way back when, and it stuck. As time wore on he just called me "Fromage". I guess a person would be insulted if someone calls you “cheese” (even if it is in French). But coming from Mike, it was one of the most hilarious things I'd heard whenever he said it.
Mike will be remembered for his profound generosity, his brilliant mind and his sense of humor. The memory of the laughter that we shared will provide me with many smiles for the rest of my days.
We would often tell each other “I love you, dahling” in vague European accents to make each other laugh, but also to express what was truly in our hearts.
I will always love you my dahling Miguel, forever and ever.
- Mike's blog "The Life Raft"
- A tribute from MSL Group
- New York Times obituary
