William and Irene Patak lit a candleMike was my cousin. However, he was more than that. He was everything to me, Big Brother, Friend, Trouble Companion (more times then not), Doctor, Therapist, Bar Tender, Ski Instructor, Taught me How to make friends and influence people…He was my Dale Carnegie. I never had a brother so Mike became mine. We did a lot of skiing up at Hunter Mountain on the weekends together and with his friends. He would pick me up after work at Zorn’s and we would head up state with a cooler full of liquid refreshments. Pretty much gone by the time we arrived. Later in life Mike met his wife Alberta that didn’t stop him from being my big brother. It just gave me another sister. I got a job with Eastern Airlines and it afforded me the opportunity to travel. Well I did to see Mike and Alberta in Atlanta, then Mike jr, and Amy, God he loved those three!! They all moved to Texas, but that wasn’t far enough, I was still able to fly to Houston for a visit!!! It was there that Irene and I announced our engagement. Unfortunately Eastern Airlines declared Bankruptcy and shut down. This stopped my ability to travel to Mike and Alberta’s As we both drifted apart due to our own families it became more and more difficult to see each other, but the love I had for my cousin (big brother) would always remain. Mike I will always be Grateful for everything you did for me and everything we did together. God Bless you and we will see each other again. Love your Cousin and little brother Bill.