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Michael Gizzi Obituary
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Anne Bei
September 27, 2022
I think of Michael frequently as I go through the poetry books and arts/poetry magazine we published together at Hard Press Editions. He shall always be remembered fondly by me as a teacher with a bold spirit, a sincere writer and, of course, a real poet.
Renee McLeod
August 15, 2011
I believe his beautiful spirit lives on in the people, of which I am one, that he inspired. Rest in Peace Michael
Donna Williams Stone
July 18, 2011
Michael was a very nice and warm person, to say it simply. May God bless him. Rest is peace.
JADE BENSON
November 1, 2010
I was another student in the MA program at Brown, and Michael and I were, I believe, in the poetry workshop class with Michael S. Harper. Michael G was an edgy, soulful poet and made a lasting impression on me and I'm sure all our fellow students--who he was and his work. Condolences to all his family and to his extended family-of-choice---friends---in Providence and elsewhere. We struggled with similar problems though, at the time, I don't think he and I understood any of this. Now, more than 30 years later, I remember his presence at Brown and visits with the Waldrops and will remember him for his place in the world of poetry I knew back then, with much appreciation and admiration. Michael, now rest, rest in peace.
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Caitlin Pumphrey
October 27, 2010
Michael, or "Uncle Mike," was my most influential teacher thus far. He was a tree surgeon, turned poet, turned high school English teacher. He taught me creative writing and film at Lenox Memorial Middle & High School. His unconventional use of words and how they go together made me rethink the English language. I had previously learned to read in the most conventional way, sounding it out, looking at pictures, but Mike changed all of this. He did not like punctuation and we were forever making up words for our poems. His larger than life ideas were exhibited in his captivating language. Mike altered the way that I write and will forever be remembered.
Kevin McKinley
October 24, 2010
Tom and Peter,
I was numbed learning of Mike's passing to a better place. I will pray for him in Mass. If you remember, I was his roommate @ Epic Rehab this past July. His knee and my hip. He was a pleasure to live with and an unassuming soul. My condolensces to you and your family.
Jonathan Skinner
October 20, 2010
Michael was so unassuming and treated me as an equal, but I would have loved to have been his student (and I experience a certain jealousy reading the tributes of those here who did). Like many who fumbled more than once in the course of living their own (I imagine), he was a great life coach. And he was one of our best poets. Pure gold. We will keep rereading, and hopefully teaching, Mike's books. Yes, they have that swing! For now, I cannot accept his loss and miss him deeply. Our condolences to Pilar, Hollis (Mike sure was a proud granddad), Peter, Tom and Elizabeth . . . Jonathan & Isabelle
Brenda Coultas
October 17, 2010
with our condolences and much love to the Gizzi family.
brenda & atticus
October 15, 2010
Tom, Peter,
Michael's voice is silenced and pieces of our past drift away. I'll never forget his laugh, his lope.
My thoughts are with you,
Steve Jusczyk
http://www.pbase.com/sjusczyk/image/129248528
Michael Ives
October 13, 2010
Michael swung as few have swung before. The heir of the "American Ones", the next great jazz poet. I am crushed in knowing that he's gone.
Charles Coughlin
October 12, 2010
I'll never forget the day you asked me to sit in class and to watch the road . "there's poetry every where" you told me, I just needed to look. It was my first poem, not a great one, about cars on an endless journey back and forth. You encouraged my creativity and helped me to see things in a different way. You will be missed.
Nicole Hoelle
October 12, 2010
I was 16, 17, 18. I met with you regularly to discuss my poetry. You lauded me, told me what to read, chided me for skipping school. You acknowledged me like nobody had or has since. I gave my first readings with you. You gave me my first books of poetry. I haven't seen you in many years, but you are always there. 'my mentor, Michael' I have referred to you as innumerable times. Whenever I sit down to write, whenever I pick up a book by Kerouac, Dickinson, Rilke I think of you and thank you. Thank you, Michael. You were a phenomenon in my life.
Jody Hoelle
October 9, 2010
Michael, you were extraordinarily gifted...a poet among poets. You were like a light in the world. Your words will live on in the hearts and minds of many. May your journey be filled with joy and peace. -Jody Hoelle, Los Angeles, CA
Angela Finley
October 9, 2010
Mr. Gizzi or Gizzi, as many spoke of him at Lenox Memorial High School, brought life to writing. It is hard to believe those days at LMHS have all but passed and genuine individuals such as Mr. Gizzi have gone on before us. However, I'm glad to say I knew one that assisted a truly splendid writer in residence program. The writer in residence program was a gift to students. Like an angel, he made the program fly with his eloquent spontaneity and creativity. Knowing him was a memorable, worthy experience and something I'll remember about a marked time period at LMHS. Best to his family and may they know he was appreciated not only for his talents, but also for his kindness.
Janice Ward
October 5, 2010
Tom and Peter,
I'm so sorry to hear of yet another loss in your family. My heart goes out to you both during this most difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Denton Smith
October 5, 2010
Michael, you touched my life and i'm sure many others , thank-you and God speed.......Denton
October 4, 2010
My heart felt thoughts and prays to Michaels's family. He will be greatly missed, a great talent lost
Kate Arment
Salem MA
Rose Fitzgerald-Casey
October 4, 2010
Michael and his extraordinary talent will be missed by all who knew him. He was an incredible teacher as well as a great friend.
James B. Gravitt
October 4, 2010
We were filled with sorrow when we heard of Michael Gizzi's death. My boyhood friend has entered the long shadows as dusk settles over the shore. His quiet waters will be stirred no more, no sun or thundering sky. Gone too are the safe harbors that a mother and family provide. For Michael his coming of age was a passage with harsh ups and downs. Time is an ocean that must be crossed alone. Sadly, life brings to every living thing the ultimate reality...a conclusion! Michael was true to his craft through out his life. He was an artist and a poet. Now, on the alter of time he places this body of poetic work, as witness to his life and love of family.
Colin Cavanaugh-Johnston
October 4, 2010
Pilar-Mike Gizzi was my professor at RWU for several courses through the years. He had a very significant impact on me; he introduced me to poetry as an art of expression and I viewd him as a friend and guide. He spoke of you often and with much praise. I remember when Hollis was born; he shared the news with jubilance and pride. I cannot express how sad I feel for you and your son. I hope to meet you and the rest of his family next spring.
Renee Soto
October 4, 2010
Michael spoke lovingly and often of his family by name and with pictures, and as he was a little clumsy in the e-mail/techno realm, I can tell you that you were his passwords--I had to remember them for him. He is deeply missed.
Michelle
October 4, 2010
Michael was my professor, mentor and friend at RWU when I was an undergraduate. He was more of an inspiration than he'll ever know. I'll miss you, Gizzi.
October 3, 2010
I was so sorry to read of Michael's passing. He touched the lives of many students and will certainly be remembered for his compassion and concern for their education and welfare. My sincere sympathy to the entire Gizzi family.
Gail Gernat (retired AP at LMMHS)
Greg Bem
October 3, 2010
I had the pleasure of being taught by Michael Gizzi who was both a professor of mine and personal mentor during my undergraduate time at Roger Williams University. Without him poetry in this country would not have been the same. Beyond a doubt he transformed the lives of everyone who knew him. He will be missed.
Justin Wehry
October 3, 2010
Mr. Gizzi, you will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Sharon Sullivan
October 3, 2010
Tom,Peter, Pilar and Hollis, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy. Sharon and Jim Gravitt
Paul Wesson
October 3, 2010
Mr. Gizzi, as we called him, was a great teacher. All the students at Lenox High wanted to be in his class. He encouraged me to expand my creativity and to truly enjoy writing. I'm sure every student that had the privilege to show him their work will always remember him.
RYAN N MITCH PRATT
October 3, 2010
MY CONDOLENCES GO OUT TOU MICHEALS FAMILY. HE TAUGHT ME AND MY BROTHER AT LENOX AND REALLY REACHED OUT TO US. RYAN AND MITCHELL PRATT
Dolores Tucker
October 3, 2010
Our sincerest sympathy go out to Tom, Peter and the Gizzi family on the loss of Michael. May you all have the strength and endurance during this time.
Dale, David and Dolores Tucker
Anne Bei
October 3, 2010
I am so surprised and sorry to hear this. Michael Gizzi contributed tremendously to Lingo Magazine when Hard Press began publishing back in the early 90s. He was also a fabulous teacher of poetry and writing. This is such a great loss and my condolences to the family. His contributions to the world do live on in his poetry and I will always remember his wit and the fun and creative approach to life we shared during our friendship.
David Giannini
October 3, 2010
Condolences to all family members. Real poets live on through their work, as Michael will.
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