The Impact of Mike Rems

We encourage anyone to post thoughts memories or anecdotes on Mike. The following arrived from his grandchildren:

Michael Rems was a good grandfather to me, my brother, and our three cousins. I loved him a lot. I know he loved me a lot too. I met him for the first time when I was four years old. After meeting me and getting to know me, he treated me with compassion, love and understanding. He was a fun, nice, and caring grandfather. I have missed him a lot and will take his memory with me throughout my life.
Nicole Rems, Age 12


Long Live The King, Grandpa

Grandpa Mike was the greatest grandpa I could ask for. He was everything that a perfect grandpa is. Before he died, I was supposed to go to the movies with my firend. At the last minute my friend called and informed me that he cancelled the trip to the movies. Granpa Mike was angry at my friend for canceling. So, instead we put together Grandpa Mike’s retirement present, which was a wine cooler. It was fun and I spent a lot of time with him. Also I was proud that I helped put together one of his favorite gifts. After he died, I was glad that my friend cancelled our movie trip.

If there were one word to describe him, it would be “benevolent.” The reason I chose this word is because benevolent means kind, and when I thought of the word, “kind”, I’d think of the word, “King”, and Grandpa Mike was both. He was very kind, although sometimes grouchy, but he was also like the King of the family. He would always be sitting on the chair, which would be similar to a King sitting on his throne. And he would always be the boss of everyone. Everybody looked up to him.

Before he died, I got to spend an entire month at his house. I am glad I spent that time with him. Although he is gone physically, he isn’t gone spiritually.

Long live the King!

Jacob Smario, Grandson, Age 13

Grandpa

My Grandpa wasn’t just a grandpa. He was a very, very special friend. We all loved him. We could laugh, talk and play with him. He was the best Grandpa a Grandpa could be. I wish I could hug him on last time. If I could, I’d be the happiest girl in the world. We all love him. I miss him so, so, and so very much. I loved him so, very, very much. He was so loveable. He truly was the best Grandpa ever.

You don’t know how much I love him. Even thought he embarrassed me sometimes, I still loved him. Everyone loved him and his sweet tooth. I remember when I was about three years old, I’d tell him, “Oh, go to sleep, go to sleep.” Then, I’d run over there and pinch his butt and say that it was the boogieman. We would do that all the time, but I stopped when I was about 6 years old. Whenever I came over to his house, he would be sitting on his chair, watching TV, and he would say, “Come and give me besitos.”

Grandpa was so brave for joining the Coast Guard. He truly was a great, wonderful, and everything, wasn’t he. He truly loved the love of his life, Connie. Everyone loved him, especially the love of his life, Connie. He never loved anyone more than the love of his life, Connie, and his family, and they loved him! I am sure that every single one of us are terrified about Grandpa Mike’s death, because it is very, very sad. Even I cried, because it is so, so very sad.

For sure no one is happy about Grandpa Mike’s death. I mean who would be. It is so, so sad. He was the best Grandpa ever. I loved him so much.

Jessica Smario, Mike’s Granddaughter, Age 8