Michael Reis

[Jim Hieb]

If there was an industry trade show, you were sure to see Michael. Here he is at the podium getting ready to open up a fabricator's forum --- yes, he is wearing a tie.

[Jim Hieb]

Matt Lansing with Michael in 2011 at StonExpo.

[Jim Hieb]

A beer in his hand and talking to a fabricator ---- you just know there is an excellent article being crafted in Michael's mind.

[Jim Hieb]

Michael in Seattle at an event where Marty Gould (far left) was the featured speaker on marketing. Of all the times I spent with Michael, this event was probably my favorite. We spoke at length about fabricator statistics and ideas on how to bring the industry together. Michael was great at brainstorming.

[Jim Hieb]

Do you notice Michael in the back of the room? That is where you usually found him --- his signature notepad in hand --- preparing to bring another great story to the industry.

[nanni]

Just thanks to Michael for the support he has always offered to everyone in the stone business.
Thanks for the nice conversations we had
Thanks for the smiles, dozens...hundreds you share with us in all the fairs, meetings...
We'll miss You and even from this side of the ocean we send our condolences to Your family.
Arrivederci Michael

Giovanni Rigo
TERZAGO MACCHINE

[Garen Distelhorst]

I'll echo the thoughts of the rest of the group...the stone industry has lost its voice, strongest advocate, and a friend to all. On Saturday evening when I learned of Michael's death, I was both shocked and saddened. Besides being a great guy and close friend, Michael and I enjoyed a great love of music and frequently shared albums and live shows. I will treasure the music he exposed me to and value the friendship he provided. On Saturday evening I listened to the last concert that Michael sent me...it helped me to find some comfort. I hope the rest of you are able to do the same as we deal with this tragic loss.

Michael - you will be missed.

Garen

[Jason Nottestad]

Michael spoke and wrote so eloquently for the collective 'we' of the stone industry. No ego, no agenda- just determination to support and improve the diverse group that we are, and will continue to be in his absence. That voice, so often mentioned in previous posts, will be impossible to replace. I didn't know him well, but respected him immensely. My condolences to his family and friends.

[SASSO USA]

This is a very sad news and a huge loss. I join you on this tribute. From me and all the staff at Sasso Usa and Sassomeccanica the sincerest thoughts and condolences.

[mike y]

Michael Reis was a true professional in evey sense...
Michael Reis was a true friend to our industry...
Michael Reis was my friend..
Rest in Peace
My prayers are with the Reis Family

[Todd Luster]

Here are a few more pics of Michael I ran across from the SFA Italy Tour of 2012.
The first was in the cellar of the Nicolis Winery before our Sponsor dinner, the 2nd was after dinner discussion time(also Nicolis Winery), the 3rd at GMM factory.

[steven nenzel]

Wow, shocking news!!! Dam, at 43, what terrible news. I've never met Michael but I've certainly read a lot of his good work. My prayers are with his family.

[Mark Lauzon]

I found a nice picture of Ron receiving the Fabricator of the Year Award....

I miss Mike....

[Aladd1n]

I was lucky to meet Michael on a few different occasions during my time in the industry. He had a warm smile and a kind demeanor that is uncommon.

May you Rest in Peace and may your family find comfort during this incredibly difficult time.

[Robbie]

We at Northwood are very sad to hear the news about Michael. I personally know how much love and dedication Michael had for our industry. Without his work ethic and dedication this industry would not be where it is today. We as associates of Michael owe it to him to carry on his passion for this industry. We will truly miss him.

To Michael's family, please know that Michael made a difference. May God bless you during these times.

[Kris Jorgensen]

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about this. This is such a tragic loss. My family and I will be praying for everyone that was close to Micheal. Micheal's work in the stone industry was nothing short of amazing. This just really reminds me of how fragile life is.

Numbers 6:24-26
24 The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

[Anna Almonte]

Just reading this thread is so very hard. All the amazing comments from everyone. The Respect that all here have for Michael. Makes me wish I had known him better.

I thank you Michael for all you have done for our industry. Our Thoughts are with your loved ones and all who you touched. You were taken too soon Michael. May you RIP.

[UnitedMarble]

Michael is on the far left. He is moderating a fabricator forum in Boston. This is where Michael really shined. He commanded the respect of the audience and was excellent at asking the panelist questions.

This is in June of 2011 at the Fabricator Forum at MSI in Boston. On the panel was Dick Laliberte of Ripano Stone, myself, and Victor DeOliveira from Discover Marble and Granite. What a great forum Michael orchestrated and ran. He was a lot of fun to work with.

[Omni Cubed Larry]

Words cannot express how deeply saddened we are by this news. It goes without saying, Michael will be truly missed by MANY.
These photos below are from the recent show. We were all so busy; I wished we could have spoken longer. In his last email to my wife Amy he wrote... "Also, just making sure you got those pics from Hanley Wood. Wish I could have chatted a bit longer, but they whisked us away. Trade shows!" It was always good to see him at the shows, if even just for a moment.

We are praying for comfort for the family, friends, and colleagues at StoneWorld.
Psalm 147:3 (KJV) “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

[Jane Bennett]

Having had a few days and many tears pass, and after reading all of the amazing tributes to Mike in this forum, I wanted to add something...anything... to validate his impact on the Building Stone Institute. And me.

It amazes me to read the depth of feelings seemingly EVERYONE had for Mike. Knowing the loss I feel it is almost incomprehensible that one individual could impact so many lives. So intensely. Like Pam Miller mentioned, I too feel a sense of not having that deep personal friendship with Mike. Despite several years of what I feel was pretty intense communications with Mike and his team at BNP (who along with SW and their other titles, also created Building Stone Magazine for BSI), I don't have the crazy, late night stories of international adventures, but I have satisfaction in sharing a part of my mortal life working with someone who I respected, admired, and enjoyed so much. Rare. Yes, I have raised a glass or two with Mike, but I too feel robbed of more. Don't we all now?

Nothing can be said that hasn't already been said. I feel Alex's pain in having to stop from reaching out to Mike - from emailing him just Sunday - thinking about how I need to tell him about my amazing weekend spent outdoors. And I always bounced ideas off Mike - asked him to proof read a letter or something - and they weren't always about Building Stone Magazine. He ALWAYS calmly gave his impression, or suggested something that worked for him. Never too busy to help. He was our "go to guy". That is a hard habit to break. But reading this forum it is apparent we ALL relied on Mike to guide us through this wonderful industry in which we are all passionately employed. I loved reading his articles that seemed to speak directly to us and challenge us to react. It is a wonder he accomplished the amazing work and advocacy he did while also being so much to so many. I think I could talk up Mike for hours. He just had that positive, optimistic approach to life. And that smile... makes me happy just thinking about it.

Ultimately, in this tremendous loss I sense a familiar message of challenge to us - live life a little larger - and NOW.

To the Reis family, Alex and all at Stone World, industry colleagues and his many friends - my heart aches for your loss.

[Mark DeMille]

rest in peace Mike, you are remembered and very appreciated.

[Jessica Kreider]

I have had the honor of knowing Michael. I was a part the StoneWorld fabrication workshops for a short time…and during that time, our travel started with 3 workshops a year to 9, so we spent a lot of time together. We became family. And Michael & Alex became my “Boys”... My New Jersey Boys.

I remember Michael during the workshops … “Are the microphones loud enough”? “Do we have microphones?” “Where are the microphones?” “Where’s Mark?” ... and throughout he just smiled, looking cool as can be.

Being a part of SW changed my life …so much that after moving on from BNP, Michael and Alex remain my “Boys” today.

Michael never showed anything more than who he was ... a warm-hearted, gentle, and loving guy… His Jersey laugh and smile were contagious and he always came up with the silliest things to say. He was so talented and I always admired him in his travels... the way he would hike all over the world!

Michael, your time was taken too soon.

My heart and prayers go out to your family, Alex, the SW family, and the industry.

Always, JessK.

[RBatstone]

This is very sad. My condolences to michaels family. I met him on one of my trips over there.
A true gentleman.

[Todd Luster]

http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/8788 ... is-tribute

[Rick George]

Michael doing what he did best... getting to know the fabricators and learning everything he could to share his experiences and knowledge with the entire industry!
A few more pictures from the Italy trip in 2012! The last one is similar to Todd's except from a shorter man's perspective!