Michael Patrick Dillon

Uncle Mike was always a great story teller and loved to torment me; in hindsight I loved it. As I was growing up, Uncle Mike was always a special presence whenever I saw him. He continued his legacy with the next generation. Everyone was always thrilled when Uncle Mike would show up at a family gathering; I miss those times. I will always cherish the times we spent together and take to heart his advice.
I miss you and love you Uncle Mike.

Read by Liam Dillon, nephew, at his funeral mass

A Psalm of David, Psalm 23

Then Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the...

Read by Maire Dillon, niece of Michael, at his funeral mass:

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the oe'r fraught heart and bids it break."
William Shakespeare, from MacBeth

A Prayer

When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love
That once we...

Mike, you are one of the most interesting, unusual, challenging, perceptive, funny, creative, messy, facinating, offbeat, spiritual, good-hearted people I have ever met and I have met a lot of people in a lot of strange places. Somehow, whenever I was in New York I was drawn to you, to your apartment, to your stacks of paintings, to the little upper West Side neighborhood of which you were the king. I talk to you now as if you are still there, which like the Madonna of Flushing, you truly...

Mike



This is a raw deal.

Death is an impossible thing, an incomprehensible and unacceptable thing, especially if it comes too early. It feels as if a conversation has been rudely interrupted — which I’m sure is literally true, where Mike is concerned, with everybody here today. He had lots of conversations going on. He loved to talk, and it was always a great pleasure to hear that gravelly, unmistakable voice on the other end of the telephone — although having such a...

mike drew circles around art school
>> he rowed around this island alone
>> he had forearms of granite
>> and somehow managed
>> to have his portrait
>> carved in white marble
>> riding a turtle
>> 500 years before he was born
>>
>>
>> what i love about mike is we were always laughing
>> when we were together
>> when people laugh it means they're happy
>>
>>
>> with lots of love,
>> matthew licht

MIKE

Mike. Just Mike. I know many others with the same first name: Michael Sharpe, Mike Colantuono, Michael Bloomberg, Mike O’Flynn, Mike Foley…the list goes on. But only Mike was just Mike, a man and personality so big only one name was needed, like Prince, Pele, Christo, or Madonna. If you refer to Mike, everybody knows your talking about Mike.

Mike was my brother from another mother, he was my friend, coach, and teacher, and Uncle Mike the Walrus to my kids.

Mike...

Michael Dillon was a great artist, teacher, mentor and friend. He taught "Creative Process" at the Art Center of Northern New Jersey. I enjoyed painting in his class, because he created an environment where everybody felt relaxed, encouraging our creativity. He had a sense of humor and a kind and gentle style of teaching. He encouraged us to "push further" in our own style. His guidance made my painting more exciting. He was very knowledgeable in so many things, especially in art history and...

We will miss you Uncle Mike. Your stories were the best! The world is brighter because of you. Love from Bella and Evelyn