Michael Reis

[Matt Lansing]

It is with great sadness that I report that our dear friend Michael Reis, editor of StoneWorld magazine, has passed away snorkeling while on vacation in Jamaica.

As of right now we are unsure as to the details surrounding his death but Mike was a great person, friend to entire stone industry, and his loss will affect us all.

Rest in peace.

[Mark Lauzon]

A dark day in our industry….. He will truly be missed.

Mike quietly influenced our industry with his thought provoking articles and editorials in Stone World Magazine for as long as I can remember. I had the pleasure of traveling with Mike on multiple occasions when speaking at the Stone World Workshop tour for three years. He was funny, extremely smart and always had a smile and a kind word for anybody he met. He was a friend to all who knew him. The industry has lost a champion…..

Mike Reis was a true friend and supporter of the Stone Fabricators Alliance. I recall sitting in a hotel room in Atlanta with Mike and Matt Lansing brainstorming the Megaworkshop idea over a cold beer or three. I can remember how he enthusiastically supported the idea and offered editorial support and marketing ideas. Many of you probably don't realize the level of support that Mike gave our organization and "behind the scenes good-will" when we first started the SFA years ago. Mike's support on an editorial level and as a quite ambassador is one of the reasons our organization gained wide acceptance in the industry. The SFA will miss you my brother.

Prayers to his family, Alex, and all who will miss him so dearly.

You are missed my friend.

[Todd Luster]

A tragic loss to all!

Prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.

[Dan R.]

Michael was an ardent supporter of the SFA and of the industry. He worked tirelessly for the betterment of the industry and for the fabricator.

He was a warm individual, always willing to help and never wanting any credit. He did so much good that many will never know of, simply because it was the right thing to do. Michael always had to time to chat, whether it be small talk or serious business. He made time for everyone.

His loss to this industry is devastating in many ways. Of course, the industry will still move forward. It just won't feel the same without our great friend Michael here with us.

Our thoughts and prayers to his family, everyone @ Stone World and all that will dearly miss him.

RIP Michael.

[DavidL]

Wow, truly a loss to our industry. His articles and insight as to the current state of affairs were great reading. His dedication to profiling so many small businesses in this country is one of the most commendable things I will take from his writings.

Sincerest condolences go out to his family and loved one's.

[tim farr]

What a tragic loss for our industry. Prayers to the family

[Joe Durfee]

Wow, this is a pretty big loss to our industry. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be missed. The only time I ever met him, he treated me like a friend.

[CustomMarbleGranite]

All I can say is Oh my God. I'm stunned at this. My prayers are with his family he was a great person to hang with. Had a great time with him in Italy. Please keep us posted if anyone hears any details on this.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

I can't believe it.

This is a loss to the industry on so many levels.

I remember when Michael showed up at our shop to say hi!

I am completely shocked.

I will keep his family in my prayers.

Joe Durfee, you said it best, he treated you like a friend the first time you met him.

He will be missed.

[Stone Dude]

This is terrible. My thoughts are with his family. His shoes cannot be filled.

[Joe Little]

Very sad news , truly a very special person has left way too soon.
Prayers to his family , he will be missed !

[JMarcella]

I am having a difficult time with this news. I just saw him last week at Stonexpo, and participated with him in the fabricator forum. Mike was a true professional, a strong supporter of the industry, and just a really nice guy.

My thoughts and prayers to his family. Michael, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Everyone- kiss your spouse and kids. Live for today. Life is fragile.

[Camzl1]

Extremely Sad news. I to, as Joey, just spoke with him at Expo 2014. I have gotten several phone calls from around the country of friends about this. I say that to express what an impact he had on all of us, for people all over the country calling to tell the news or talk amongst ourselves of how we are going to miss him and what a great guy he was. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Ken Lago]

I am truly at loss for words, Mike mean so much to everyone of us ....so sad, so young, so much left to do and yet such an impression he made on all of us. A true friend.

[mikedean]

Too young.

I've met Mike on several occasions and have never spoken to a more honest and passionate person involved in the industry.

A picture he took lives on in our Quarry wall.

[Mark Meriaux]

The world was a better place with Michael Reis in it.
We were fortunate that Michael had such dedication and passion for the stone industry.
I am surprised and saddened he is no longer with us.

His family is in my thoughts and prayers.

[GuyboR]

I heard the news yesterday and let it sink in before posting hoping it would be a bit easier to come up with the words to express my shock and sadness. It didn't help. The only help waiting gave was to read what others have said that are exactly the same thoughts and memories I have for Michael. I would like to say "ditto" to what others have already said.

I too saw Michael two weeks ago at Expo, but I didn't have a chance to visit with him b/c, as Dan said, Michael was always coming or going "somewhere", and usually for the betterment and good of the industry. We said hello to each other as he raced past....probably on his way to keep Joey and the other speakers on topic in one of the many seminars he moderated.

It was Michael's job to report and document the stone industry. But to me it appeared it was more then just a job. He truly loved the industry and the people that make it up. He wrote about it and spread the word of our industry like it was his personal baby he was proud of...always trying to show off how great it was here or there to any neighbor that would listen.

His enthusiasm and especially never ending always brightening smile will be missed by myself and many others.

Rest in peace my friend. And God bless your family and friends.

Guy

[Nick]

I told my dad about this, and he never met him but liked his stuff and was very sad just based on the fact he felt he knew him from years of reading his work. I only met him once in Italy, but he was just a super great person, his work in our industry aside. It also struck me how he was indeed a real deal throwback photojournalist, not just a guy writing articles about some industry for a paycheck. I am not sure of his background, but he was a true traveling/working photojournalist, that actually cared about the subject of his journalism. You can't name anyone else in our entire industry in America that does anything even close to what he did in pulbication, and with such professionalism and enthusiasm on top of it.

With great sadness, Patrona Marble offers those close to Michael our thoughts, prayers and condolences.

[Stuart Young]

My thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to Michaels family. Truly a remarkable individual who will be missed.

One of the most admirable people I have ever met.

[ronald hannah]

Our industry has suffered a huge loss. We will never be able to fully appreciate the contribution Michael Reis has made to the Stone Industry. His influence reached far and wide. I sincerely doubt that there is a person involved in this industry that was not positively affected in some way by Michael's efforts. As Nick stated "a true throwback photojournalist". I so admired his passion.

A consummate professional, a true gentleman, a wonderful friend.

You will be missed.

Our condolences to the Reis family.

[Stacy]

So sad and such tragic news His family is in my thoughts and prayers. I really enjoyed his articles in Stoneworld.

Stacy

[Alex Bachrach]

I cannot tell you how much this and other tributes mean to everyone who knew, loved and worked with Mike. I have worked by his side for 21 years (March would have been his 21-year anniversary) and we had more fun than two people should be legally allowed to have (ok, some of it wasn't legal) and we traveled the world together. Many of you have been on trips with Michael - I'm going to guess he was the last one standing most nights and was often the most fun person in the room. The next day I am certain he was the most active participant and interested attendee wherever he was, improving every event he was a part of.

We at Stone World have some ridiculously large shoes to fill, but we will move forward and carry on the mission he started when he took over Stone World and made it his own. He has started and developed so many other important ventures, publications and efforts for us, and we will continue that tradition to the best of our ability.

The international stone industry has most certainly lost its fiercest and most accomplished advocate. I lost my partner in crime and a brother. I will share your posts with his family, as they should know his impact on our world.

Thanks again for starting this tribute.

Alex Bachrach

[Linus Modlich]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Reis family. I had the privilege of some wonderful conversations with Michael on the bus in Italy. He was cheerful and insightful despite the rigors of the travel and long days. He will be sadly missed by all of us in our industry. A true professional in every sense of the word.

[Ger Vanderbas]

Wow. This hit's hard.

I had the good fortune of spending the day with Mike touring quarries in Verona some years ago. Business wasn't real strong then, and you knew he was truly concerned and feeling for everyone in our business. He loved it in the true sense of the word. I remember that day, and will remember Mike always as a gentleman and true leader in our industry.

He was a personification of enthusiasm always, and one who gave WAY more then he took.

Rest in Peace Mike, and thanks from your friends at Breton.

G

[Adriana]

It is a very sad day. The stone industry has lost a giant. He will be missed by many.

Our thoughts are with his family.