A Friend

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

In many ways, this is just like a visitation. I've seen old friends show up here that haven't been here in a long time, and it's all because of Mick. Many times I've been to visitations, and the sorrow that results from knowing you've lost someone is offset somewhat by seeing familiy and friends you may not have seen for a long time.

I've also had the priviledge of e-mailing Mick outside this forum, and my guess would be he's smiling about our little "gathering" here. Let's try to keep his memory intact as we continue to use this forum as a way to enrich all of our lives, both in and outside of officiating.

My prayers are with his family. Next spring I will also be planting a couple of flowers in his honor.

Actually we can do something a bit more tangible than that. If you look at the link JR posted at the bottom it has 2 charities we can donate to in Mick's name. I would suggest we designate someone to collect the money & send it in 1 check... except the only one of you SOBs I would even consider trusting with my money is no longer with us.

So write a check & send it in.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to Habitat for Humanity or the Omega House in Houghton.

Omega House - Hospice home located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Habitat for Humanity International-Local Affiliates

Houghton, Michigan:
Copper Country HFH
PO Box 231
Houghton, MI 49931-0231
Phone: (906) 482-5376

So no excuses, do it now.

[Camron Rust]

Indeed a sad day. Mick, although I never corresponded with him outside of this forum, seemed like he was a wonderful person. I'm sure those close to them have lost a treasure.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

I would suggest we designate someone to collect the money & send it in 1 check... except the only one of you SOBs I would even consider trusting with my money is no longer with us.

And that is in the spirit of Mick's humor. He certainly would have found humor in that.

Man he will be missed.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

A little more composed now but still deeply saddened...

About 6 or 7 years ago, my phone rang about 11:00pm one night. A voice I had never heard asked, "Tony, you doing alright?" I said, "Great...who is this?" "This is mick. I hadn't seen you on the boards much lately, just wanted to call and see if everything was okay." "Yeah, doing great, just been busy." "Alright, see ya on the boards." Click.

That was mick. And you notice I type his name the same way he typed his name, because that said a lot about the man. He had the most gentle spirit, always the voice of reason, and always the one who looked out for everyone else. The man went out of his way to find my phone number, call me to see how I was doing, because he noticed that I wasn't posting very much.

That was the only time we ever spoke in the 14 years we knew each other, going back to the McGriff board in 1997. But we talked via AIM, PM, or email quite often. He would send me pics of 6' of snow U.P. there or his vegtable garden. He was proud of Abby and Matt and spoke often of the two of them living in western NC. We always said we needed to get together and work a game, sometime when he came down to visit them.

I thought I had regained my composure but I guess I was wrong...

I posted last week on his Facebook page, because I noticed that he hadn't posted in a while. Looking back now, his last post was in a thread I started regarding my daughter, who I was so proud of for being the salutatorian in her high school graduating class. He was just as proud.

I miss him already.

Blow one for me, mick.

[rockyroad]

Thanks for sharing, Tony.

I am going to miss those pictures of the snow in his yard and his garden also.

[Adam]

Here's what I wrote elsewhere:
Mick was a moderator for an officiating board that I’ve participated in now for almost eight years. You might be surprised to know the passions that can flare between referees when discussing the intricacies of a backcourt violation, a pick-off move to 2nd base, or the newest offensive formation. In the middle of that, mick was an arbiter of arbiters; keeping a level head and reminding us when we crossed a line. He was a good friend; always willing to offer his insights and knowledge.

One of the weird things about the way the internet has evolved is just how close we can get to people we’ve never met face to face. It’s an amazing phenomenon, and I have dozens of people whom I consider close friends that I’ve only seen in text and digital pictures. There are a few more whom I’ve only met once or twice, yet their influence on me has been profoundly positive and positively profound. Life in the 21st century is vastly different than even at the end of the 20th.

With this comes a fairly new experience; experiencing the loss of friends we’ve never actually seen face to face. That such a loss could shake me this much is a testament to the power of the internet and, even more so, the nature of the man. I’ve been involved in social interaction on the internet for 13 years now, and mick is the first such friend of mine who has died in all that time.

Rest in His Peace, Mick Chambers, the final horn has sounded. Knock back a cold one for the rest of us.

[tjones1]

When I came to the board back in 2004, mick was someone I always turned to when needing help with an interp or situation. He told me to contact him anytime either through the board or e-mail.

We sent each other messages off and on and he checked up on me every now and then just to see how my season was going and the progress of my young career.

Rest in peace, mick. You will be missed!

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by tjones1

When I came to the board back in 2004, mick was someone I always turned to when needing help with an interp or situation. He told me to contact him anytime either through the board or e-mail.

We sent each other messages off and on and he checked up on me every now and then just to see how my season was going and the progress of my young career.

Rest in peace, mick. You will be missed!

That's the way mick was. I bet everyone here who had the same relationship with him, felt the same way....that he was their best online friend. I'll bet he had more best friends that we can imagine. What a testament!

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Here's what I wrote elsewhere:
Mick was a moderator for an officiating board that I’ve participated in now for almost eight years. You might be surprised to know the passions that can flare between referees when discussing the intricacies of a backcourt violation, a pick-off move to 2nd base, or the newest offensive formation. In the middle of that, mick was an arbiter of arbiters; keeping a level head and reminding us when we crossed a line. He was a good friend; always willing to offer his insights and knowledge.

One of the weird things about the way the internet has evolved is just how close we can get to people we’ve never met face to face. It’s an amazing phenomenon, and I have dozens of people whom I consider close friends that I’ve only seen in text and digital pictures. There are a few more whom I’ve only met once or twice, yet their influence on me has been profoundly positive and positively profound. Life in the 21st century is vastly different than even at the end of the 20th.

With this comes a fairly new experience; experiencing the loss of friends we’ve never actually seen face to face. That such a loss could shake me this much is a testament to the power of the internet and, even more so, the nature of the man. I’ve been involved in social interaction on the internet for 13 years now, and mick is the first such friend of mine who has died in all that time.

Rest in His Peace, Mick Chambers, the final horn has sounded. Knock back a cold one for the rest of us.

Well said, Adam. You captured the uniqueness of the relationships that many of us here have developed with each other. It truly is remarkable.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And that is in the spirit of Mick's humor. He certainly would have found humor in that.

thanks, I like to think so

Man he will be missed.

Peace

Yeah I'm sure of that.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

thanks, I like to think so

It's nice to see you back posting again too, Slappy, even if it's for a short time and under circumstances like this.

Seriously.

Signed: Two-legged Woody

[BillyMac]

Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

[shavano]

Wow.... Very sorry to hear of Mick's passing. He was always a gentleman.

RIP friend! You will be missed!!

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

It's nice to see you back posting again too, Slappy, even if it's for a short time and under circumstances like this.

Seriously.

Signed: Two-legged Woody

Four legged Woody sez hi

[pizanno]

Rest in peace, Mick. Thank you for making me a better official. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.