Sending Love and Prayers from The Rini Family, Jeff, Danielle, and our children. Mike was a good man and an amazing neighbor. You will be missed.

Over the last decade we’ve had so many adventures and experiences - I don’t know where to start - boating, camping, raft-off, cards, just hanging out, laughing, great food, campfires, fireworks, gambling, work, and of course drinking. You taught me a lot about boating and how to properly tie off lines etc., Lake Saint Clair destinations, attractions, and obstacles.
A couple funnies stand out to me that I will never forget (out of many) – sitting at the table eating breakfast during camping:  Mike: “Hey Marilyn where’s the bacon?” Marilyn: “what bacon?” – Mike: “Exactly!”, and the look on your face when Marilyn would say “Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike” - classic!
I have stolen one of your sayings and used this many times a week both in my personal life and at work and for those who know, know “Always with the rules!” I will remember you every time I use this. And of course, the occasional “This sucks!” well you called it… this sucks you’re soooo missed, it was an absolute pleasure to have known you, and to share such great memories with you.
I Love you sir, you will always have a place in my heart, I salute you! Till we meet again. (p.s. please have a cold one ready when that happens, I am certain we will have plenty to catch up on)


I met Mike at my first logistics job about 11 years ago and we hit it off after talking about our love of boating and ties to Lake St. Clair.   I am so grateful for all of the fun adventures we had with Mike and Marilyn.  This picture is from our trip to Port Huron in 2012 on their houseboat.  We came across this boat in the marina we were staying at and were enjoying the fact that we weren't on call for work that weekend.  Rest in peace Mike and enjoy knot being on call.   I miss you, you salty pirate.  We'll hold the party down until we're all together again.

6:00 Sunday morning after an adventurous night on Lake St. Clair . Our excursions always included lots of friends and lots of fun !We always had plenty of beer and plenty of fuel .    This was one of many trips on the “Duchess  Mari”. I knew Mike for 50 plus years . I always thought of him as more brother than friend . He was Best Man at my wedding and we will feel his loss deeply .                                                  

May as well get in the parade again  . ( Bay Rama 1968 )  at least we made it the whole parade this time . Our first attempt in 1967 consisted of a little red wagon filled with ice and beer . The crowd loved us , the judging stand … not so much . We were asked to leave !

Remembering the time when we visited Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Mike. That night was a relaxing evening of playing skip-Bo, drinking Uncle Mike's addicting mudslide martinis, and finishing off with a dip in the hot tub while the snow fell. Uncle Mike was the perfect host that also joined the fun. This photo is my favorite. It's clean up time. If you knew them, then you'd know that they were smiling the whole time. These two souls were so in sync, they were almost one. It's not the best lighting or angle but I had to take a pic of this moment to never forget how much they loved each other.  Aunt M. Is jokingly saying that Mike never let's her do the dishes. So, she's there just watching him for moral support. I know what true love looks like. Growing old and still doin the dishes together.
Love you Uncle Mike

Captain and little Mike at Parrot Cove in Madison Heights. Both decked out in the finest Hawaiian shirt fashion.  No matter what we got into we always had THE MOST FUN. I will cherish every memory you gave me. The world is definitely less sparkly without you.

Camping at Holly Recreation Area in June of 2022. We went with Uncle Mike, Aunt Marilyn, Lexi, Stephanie, Jo & Tyler, Luke, Paul, Gabby, Allison, Baby Ethan and myself. This was shortly after Uncle Mike got diagnosed. Although he was very sick and we offered to cancel the trip, Uncle Mike declined- he wanted us all to have fun!! 

Mini Christmas get together at Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Mike’s in December 2021 with Lexi, Allison, Gabby and I. 

Mini Christmas get together at Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Mike’s in December of 2021. Pictured is Gabby, Allison and myself. Uncle Mike and Aunt Marilyn got the girls tents which they absolutely loved. During our visit, we of course played Skip-Bo.  We taught the girls how to play. Uncle Mike was teaching Allison (age 9 at the time) and Aunt Marilyn was teaching Gabby (age 7 at the time). Uncle Mike was the Skip-Bo Master. He always thought 10 turns in advance and played for blood. Gabby caught on to Uncle Mike’s card shark abilities rather quickly. She was amazed and exclaimed while pointing her finger at him, “I want Uncle Mike to teach me!! He’s a hacker!!!”  We got the biggest kick out of this and laughed so dang hard.  My sister, Lexi, and I made a custom t-shirt for Uncle Mike for his retirement present. It had an old school Skip-Bo card on it, under the card it read “HACKER.”

In December 2021, Uncle Mike took Lexi, Allison, Gabby and I to the Rochester Big Bright Light Show. 

I have so many fun memories with uncle Mike from our family holidays, summer parties, visits to the boat, and when we worked together. One time I wish I had more picture of, is the time we all traveled to Mexico and he dressed in a green sequence suit and  fought a bull. I thought he was so brave and crazy!  Everything worked out but I was scared.  
Uncle Mike always made me and my girls feel special and loved.  And  as I searched through my pictures today, I found the first time I remembered feeling that I was his favorite niece.  This is the picture of the day he let me wear his Sailor Hat, I was so proud. 
I will cherish the wonderful memories that we’ve all shared. Love and miss him very much. 
I am so very sorry for your loss.  


OBITUARY

Michael G. Neely

September 6, 1951 – January 21, 2023

Pixley Funeral Home

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