Comments on: Michael Miller, CTRC President, has passed away

By: Joe Maroney

Joe Maroney — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:42:51 +0000

I knew him but a short time – yet he was often the first to give the morning Hello or wave at work. I was away when he passed and after not seeing him, I had to ask his coworker. We often spoke of our homes in Wheatfield or passion for older cars. Wish I had known of his involvment with the Central Terminal as I have so many stories to share. I will miss this genuine “old school” gentleman. For those of you who have enjoyed his friendship longer, you are blessed.

By: Carole McDade

Carole McDade — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:32:20 +0000

Our hearts are so heavy today. Mike: We will miss your quiet manner, your shy smile, your huge heart. Your dedication to the Terminal inspired us to continue to keep the Breast Cancer Awareness Garden at the circle of Memorial and Paderewski growing strong. You became a true and trusted friend and we will never forget you.

Thank you “Mom” for sharing your wonderful son with all of us who loved him.

The Garden Gals

By: John Voelker

John Voelker — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:27:54 +0000

Mike was such a great person and worked so hard to make Buffalo a better place to be proud of. We will all miss you so much !

By: Scott Richardson

Scott Richardson — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:35:54 +0000

I am completely shocked and saddened at the news of Mike’s passing. I first met Mike when we worked together on the production of a documentary regarding the Central Terminal. From there, he was extremely supportive of our efforts to put the piece to use in promoting the terminal in film festivals and on television. Whenever he saw us in the press, he always sent a note to congratulate us.

I most recently saw Mike in April while at the terminal, and he scolded me for my plans to move out of the area following my college graduation. He knew that Buffalo had more to offer people if they would work to make it happen, which is obviously what he was devoting his life to. Since my move, I have been saddened to hear of the deaths of 2 very great, generous and proactive people in Buffalo’s revival process, Mike and Russell. I’ll miss them both, but, I know their efforts inspired many people to get involved, and hope their legacy lives on through the restoration of the terminal.

By: George Thomas Apfel

George Thomas Apfel — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:42:15 +0000

I first caught a glimpse of Mike and his devotion to Buffalo and Western New York when I came across his blog on WNYMedia.net “Shades of Grey” a couple of years ago. Mike and I started exchanging emails, and discovered we had much in common–in fact we once were neighbors many years ago in the Cold Springs neighborhood and we both were baptized at Our Lady of Lourdes.

I’ve been re-reading our email exchange the past couple of days and one in particular stood out. Mike wrote,

“I tend to follow my heart, close my ears and move forward, regardless of what people say. That’s an attitude I got from the CTRC. When I started, and we wanted to hold events, we were told that nobody would come to a dilapidated train station in a crime ridden area. 75,000 visitors later, we can say that we proved them wrong. They also told us that we were crazy to ever believe that restoring the terminal was even remotely possible.”

Mike, we’ll miss you my friend. I’m coming home to help carry on the legacy you established.

By: Bob Lipinoga

Bob Lipinoga — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:38:13 +0000

As all the posts before mine, I was thinking that someone got their news wires crossed and were confusing stories of who passed away. Mike was calm and mild mannered, with a personality that served well to unite people. He was a great guy and my condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Bob and Pam

By: Joe Cascio

Joe Cascio — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:50:45 +0000

I’m shocked and don’t really know what to say. I’ll miss you my friend.

By: Sean Willard

Sean Willard — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:41:26 +0000

I never had a true appreciation for the Central Terminal until I was able to see it through the eyes of Mike. He introduced me to viewing the beauty of the building regardless of its current state. He welcomed me and my family as friends. I am glad I had the opportunity to know Mike, and I will miss our discussions of history and preservation.

By: Steven Biro

Steven Biro — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:38 +0000

It brings a tear to my eye to know that such a great and wonderful man is no longer in our presence.Iam very grateful to have met him in and out of work.

By: Lori Doyle -Joost

Lori Doyle -Joost — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:32:46 +0000

It was very hard to hear this news this morning .. Mike was one of the sweetest man I knew . Always there to help, listen and give a smile . He was one of those people who would be there whenever you needed him . He would lend a hand to help , when we did the Day of Caring .. those kids loved him . One wanted to go home with him and cried when he left and thats only knowing him a day . For those of us who were lucky to know him as many years as we have at M&T . ,its a very sad day for us all .. We are the lucky ones to have known him and have someone that was so caring for others .. He will be missed …

By: Kate Janus

Kate Janus — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:30:20 +0000

I was so shocked this morning when I heard the news of Mike’s passing. He was truly a wonderful human being and I know he touched the lives of so many and was an inspiration to us all. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and all his associates.

By: Paul G

Paul G — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:40:04 +0000

Mike was a great guy and a good friend. He was always willing to lend a hand with whatever needed help. I can’t believe it! less than 3 weeks after losing Russell Pawlak. This is a terrible loss for all of us who knew him, and for the preservation communities everywhere! August 2009 is indeed a very sad month for all of us. Mike, I’ll miss you, my brother!

By: John Hake

John Hake — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:34:42 +0000

We knew Mike as Cousin Mike and my kids refered to him as Uncle Mike , but Mike was always there no matter what you called him…..he was the guy that was there to help us no matter what, and he was like that with everyone. Mike saw Buffalo thru different eyes than most people , he saw the beauty in an old building that others would want to tear down and tell me “do you see how cool that building is” . We couldn’t drive thru Buffalo , or anywhere around here for that matter, without Mike taking us on a tour of all the cool buildings. Mike loved Buffalo. He was the right guy, for all the many hats he wore, Uncle, Cousin ,Son ,Co-worker, President, Director, and he was like a brother to me. Buffalo has lost a great man, and our family has lost…… MIke. We love ya MIke.

By: Ozzy

Ozzy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:22:16 +0000

Mike Miller was a really nice guy and he had a true passion for the Central Terminal. I really liked it when he said all those nice things about me and my project in Niagara Gazette.

Thanks Mike for everything.

By: Christopher Byrd

Christopher Byrd — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:46:32 +0000

Mike was one heck of a remarkable individual…he is one of the big reasons I got involved in working to help make the neighborhood better.

RIP my friend

By: Nathan Vester

Nathan Vester — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:19:12 +0000

I think I speak for everyone when I say that he was a great friend to anyone who knew him, we should all be so thankful to have enjoyed his company. The CTRC has endured a lot over the year with the passing of Russel just 2 weeks ago to now losing Mike. But if theirs anything Mike would have wanted if would have been for us keep going and to keep spreading his idea and vision to truly change the East Side.

By: Ryan Willard

Ryan Willard — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:13:56 +0000

When I read the email this morning, I think I read it over at least 50 times. I could not comprehend what I was reading. I thought maybe I was misreading it or I misunderstood it. It took a long time for the news to sink in that a great man who has touched so many is suddenly gone. Mike was one of the nicest, caring, hard working individuals I know. The world would be a better place if more people were like Mike. We will make sure his hard work and determination continues through our efforts.

By: Sandy Starks

Sandy Starks — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:44:07 +0000

My heart is so sad today. Mike was a man that made everyone feel special.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

By: Brian Reszel

Brian Reszel — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:30:57 +0000

Mike’s passing is truly a devastating loss to all who knew him and to the community for which he worked so diligently. Mike was the epitome of integrity, kindness, persistence, wisdom, generosity, and much more. Mike had a great way with people and always said and did the right thing on a professional and personal level. We must appreciate the time he was able to spend with us and know we are all better people because of him. He was a gift to us all.
Goodbye, Mike, and God bless.

By: Gail Stockinger

Gail Stockinger — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:27:47 +0000

When I heard the news this morning I was shocked. Mike was a wonderful, caring individual. He was always there to listen and he truly cared about what you had to say. I was happy for him when he accepted a position in a field he truly loved. Our loss will be heaven’s gain.