Pictured at left is Don Michael volunteering to make Christmas gifts for Toys for Tots.

Many of you know that Don Michael has had several bouts of cancer over the years.  Sometimes at guild or FIG meetings you may have seen Don wear a hat or maybe had an unusually short haircut at times.  Those were generally a result of chemotherapy treatments.  Don had been a cancer survivor for 36 years.  But because of Don’s remarkable positive attitude, strength, and perseverance the results of those chemo treatments could easily have been overlooked as a fashion statement or work from an overly aggressive barber.  Don would acknowledge the effort it took to maintain a sense of normalcy after yet another recurrence of the cancer but he more often credited his support from his family, with his devoted wife Cathy leading the way, and friends that allowed him to carry on as it was just another bump in the road to a greater future ahead.

Don Michael passed away on September 26 at 11 p.m.  With that utterly sad moment, we are left to remember the grace, style, kindness, and wit that Don shared with us over many years.  In speaking with other guild members it was a common judgement that Don was the glue – perhaps even the soul – of the guild.  Don was as active in the guild as one could possibly be.  He was devoted to its success and shaped many of its bylaws, subgroups, activities, and culture.  From executive management, to numerous committee memberships, to offering safety advice, to leading the FIG group, to writing articles, Don did it all.  You all have stories and memories of Don.  Who could forget the monthly Perpetual Novice column he wrote for the EMGW website?  

There were many sides to Don.  He was smart.  His memory for facts, however trivial or paramount, about the guild was stunning.  He was witty.  His wit and self-deprecating humor was legendary – even perpetual.  He was kind.  Don would offer advice when requested or when it needed clarification.  If a tool was what you were interested in, he’d have a review ready to cover the issue or a worthy suggestion to gain more detail or breadth.  Don was mature.  There was an aura of wisdom about Don.  It was the norm to receive the unvarnished, straightforward truth about an issue in woodworking or otherwise.

But what Don wasn’t, was a novice.  It was legendary of Don starting new projects before the current one wasn’t finished.  There was always another challenge to master.  So what if the project was dismissed to the unfinished pile, Don’s curiosity and appetite for learning new techniques moved him to try something new.  Being a novice implies an amateurish workmanship.  There was nothing amateurish about Don.  He was a continual learner, no matter how accomplished he was.  And his learning extended into topics, not exclusively about woodworking.

Learning how to deal with cancer was something he worked on.  He was a model for expressing his concerns, his steps to recovery, his schedule of treatment activities, his understanding of the disease, and above all his honesty.  Truly, Don was a model patient – understanding, organized, and positive.  Not an ounce of pity.  The guild has lost a key individual.  This man will be missed.  But Don leaves a guild much in his own image.  We are grateful for that and for sharing himself with us in such remarkable ways.  Our future as a guild is and will be greater because of Don.  May he rest in peace.

Don's obituary can be accessed via the Acton Funeral Home.