On Sunday, September 30, I had the distinct privilege of attending the Celebration of Life for Mike Kuhn organized by his daughter, Kristi-Lynn. I arrived a little late (due to a classic car show that blocked off the main street so that my GPS sent me on a circuitous route to the venue) and found a large number of Mike’s family members, friends and fellow Ventures fans already gathered to honor him.
Kristi-Lynn had constructed several memory boards with photos of Mike from his childhood up through his last year. They were really great. Also, of course, as Kristi-Lynn is participating in the fund-raising Light The Night walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research, there was a board to honor Mike’s memory that she titled ‘A Venture in Mike’s Memory’ – I think that, after the celebration, her fund-raising goal was met or exceeded, which is a wonderful thing.
Many of those attending gave speeches about their connection to Mike and their wealth of memories of their time and friendship with him. I said I few words myself on behalf of The Ventures – Mike was such a long-time staunch fan and friend to the group that it wasn’t at all difficult to honor him. He will be missed by all who knew him – his always up-beat view of life even in the face of the disease that took him from us was something none of us will ever forget.
After everyone had eaten (a great buffet for all) and the speeches had been made, it was time for music – of course! Mike’s friends set up and played some great Ventures’ songs in his honor. As Kristi-Lynn said ‘My Dad would have loved this!’ It was his wish that his life be celebrated with a party rather than a sad funereal occasion. Music and laughter are always better than tears and sadness, even when we lose a dear friend.
Kristi-Lynn sent me a number of photos taken at the event which we are attaching here. Also, I received other photos from Dennis Cote, Mike’s long-time friend and fellow Ventures aficionado. We are attaching some of these here so everyone can see them.
On Sunday, September 30, I had the distinct privilege of attending the Celebration of Life for Mike Kuhn organized by his daughter, Kristi-Lynn. I arrived a little late (due to a classic car show that blocked off the main street so that my GPS sent me on a circuitous route to the venue) and found a large number of Mike’s family members, friends and fellow Ventures fans already gathered to honor him.
Kristi-Lynn had constructed several memory boards with photos of Mike from his childhood up through his last year. They were really great. Also, of course, as Kristi-Lynn is participating in the fund-raising Light The Night walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research, there was a board to honor Mike’s memory that she titled ‘A Venture in Mike’s Memory’ – I think that, after the celebration, her fund-raising goal was met or exceeded, which is a wonderful thing.
Many of those attending gave speeches about their connection to Mike and their wealth of memories of their time and friendship with him. I said I few words myself on behalf of The Ventures – Mike was such a long-time staunch fan and friend to the group that it wasn’t at all difficult to honor him. He will be missed by all who knew him – his always up-beat view of life even in the face of the disease that took him from us was something none of us will ever forget.
After everyone had eaten (a great buffet for all) and the speeches had been made, it was time for music – of course! Mike’s friends set up and played some great Ventures’ songs in his honor. As Kristi-Lynn said ‘My Dad would have loved this!’ It was his wish that his life be celebrated with a party rather than a sad funereal occasion. Music and laughter are always better than tears and sadness, even when we lose a dear friend.
Kristi-Lynn sent me a number of photos taken at the event which we are attaching here. Also, I received other photos from Dennis Cote, Mike’s long-time friend and fellow Ventures aficionado. We are attaching some of these here so everyone can see them.