Michael James Masterson

Even a brief friendship leaves us grieving.

My wife and I bought the vacant property near Manistique next to Mike's Southern Yankee estate in 2021. One of our first trips up, we met Mike, who spent a wonderful hour on the lakefront porch, as we gabbed and laughed, and he let us know we could use his fancy creek-bridge all we wanted until we built our own.

Mike's "Ticki Bar" was at the corner of our properties, decorated with 20-year-old Olypmus beer mini-kegs and fun signs. Most of that house Mike built, and customized, and improved -- even getting electricity around 2022. Mike was truly an outdoor fellow, an avid hiker and biker, even telling me about a bicycle crash he had a few years ago in Florida.

I believe Mike was back on Lake Michigan around Labor Day weekend this year, as I think I saw him on his upper deck when we were wandering the beach and we waved. To have a kind, friendly neighbor is always a joy. To lose one so suddenly is such a shock. Our hearts go out to his entire family and community, hoping that they take with them the joy and love he left with all of us.

Words fail to express my sorrow for your loss. I have only know Michael for a short 6 years, but he was a great guy with a fun sense of humor. May he Rest in Peace!

"Under The Milky Way"

Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
Sound of their breath fades with the light
I think about the loveless fascination
Under the Milky Way tonight

Lower the curtain down in Memphis
Lower the curtain down all right
I got no time for private consultation
Under the Milky Way tonight

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find

And it's something quite peculiar
Something that's shimmering and white
It leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight

- "The Church" 1988