Michael Kinslow set the bar high for all of us. After months of illness, he finally floated above it this morning.
Michael J. Kinslow was a friend to many in Orange County, but he was more than that to the rest of the world. He was a fighter and a winner. He was the kind of guy who, as depicted above, made the news. As an attorney, his cause was fighting sexual molestation and aggression, against children, students, parishioners — anyone who otherwise might have had a hard time making it to court. He was expert at putting people at ease. He was a lion in a good cause — mated to a lioness of a wife, Georgie — and a jester when the mood struck. He could spread Irish blarney with they best of them; but he was serious as could be just under the surface, where he was both noble and no-bull. And he died, at age 50, about 100 years too soon.
I’ve started drafting memorials to Michael half a dozen times in the past couple of weeks, during which his imminent demise became a certainty. But I couldn’t be objective; I didn’t want to finish them because I didn’t want him to be finished. Anyway, something better came along.
Michael’s friends have unleashed a flood of affection, images, and tributes on Facebook. The whole of these expressions are greater than the sum of their parts — and far greater than anything I could generate. And so, where I think that I can borrow them — memorialize them here, I mean, to give them some greater permanence — without giving offense, I am doing so. (If anyone objects to inclusion of their photos or their words, just let me know and I’ll remove them. But I think you probably want the world to know.)
If you didn’t know Mike, you missed out. If you didn’t know him, here’s some words from those who of use who did — we who lucked out. I’ll be updating this for much of the evening, so check in often. The first update will be in a few minutes; as I publish, it’s about six hours since he left us — left us both too soon and for the better.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: I had not imagined that this piece would “take off” the way it has; the truth is that I didn’t yet have the words I wanted to say and so many other people did have them, on Mike’s Facebook Page, so it seemed better to step aside and let them have their say.
Now that we have Mike’s friends and family reading and commenting from all over the country on our local Orange County blog, and while the post seems to be getting large enough (between text and photos) to overwhelm the software, I’ve had to think through what to do with this.
What I think that I will do is this:
(1) I’m going to leave this as is as a reflection of the moving tributes on Michael’s Facebook page;
(2) I’m going to start a second page to reflect Mike’s FB page and start to put new material there (possibly moving some of the material here if the software continues to groan at the length of it) and additional pages as the size of that second page continues to increase;
(3) I’m going to start a post for people I know (mostly his political friends from recent years) who are paying tribute from Orange County, so that those of us who worked with him here in his final years — many of whom have been posting tributes on their own private pages which thus aren’t included below — will have a place where we can share what we have to say.
(4) I still plan to write my own personal reflection and will invite others — especially his wife Georgie, anytime she likes, of course — to do the same. If you want to post something longer than a comment, please let me know.
This will all take some time to put together, so I thank you for your patience in the meantime. I like the idea of leaving something lasting, and something worth keeping, here. God knows that Mike deserved that and much more. — Greg]
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Our faith teaches to be absent from the body is to be home with our Lord. Michael has gone home to be with God. He was an inspiration to me to remember to do the “right thing,” not necessarily the popular thing. Live by our faith and love our neighbor as Jesus loves us. Thank you. Michael Kinslow, for being a friend. I will miss you and that twinkle in your eye.
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Iyad Afalqa, a friend and ally of Mike’s from DPOC, said:
I am so deeply saddened and shocked to get the news of the passing of my friend, brother and colleague Michael Kinslow. Michael just lost his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I was just thinking this morning about visiting him. Michael left behind a legacy of love, integrity, passion for social justice, being voice for the voiceless, sincerity and genuinity. Michael was the thoughtful, caring and genuine brother that anyone wish to have. I will never forget his stance and support throughout the good times and bad times. I will never forget how many times he would call me past midnight to check on me and offer support. He Will Be Truly Missed. #RIP Michael. RIP brother.
This photo, which I think I may actually have taken, was from the fundraiser Mike generously sponsored for his hometown Assembly candidate, Wendy Gabriella, in San Juan Capistrano. Jeff LeTourneau is next to Mike; I forget the name of the couple behind him. Behind Gary Kephart, seated at right, and Iyad and his son Amin, are Gabriella, Denise Penn, Anita Narayana, and Tony Bedolla. As I recall, this was when Mike had already had symptoms for a while and had finally been given tests, which he celebrated by shaving his head and soliciting everyone’s opinion on the new look. His unbelievable results came in maybe a week or so later..
His comment elicited these replies (and by now probably more):
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Ghazala Siddiqui: Sorry for your loss Iyad. Inna lilahi wainna ilayhi rajioon. May God bless his soul.
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Suzanne Montgomery Inna lilahi wa Inna ilayhi raj’ioon.
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Wafa R Abu Sada: We are sorry for your loss. May God rest his soul.
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Maliha Noamani: I’m truly sorry, Iyad. Anyone that has to undergo that disease has a better place waiting for them, inshallah. My heart goes out to you. If you need anything let me know.
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Doug Elliott: That’s a great tribute, Iyad. It makes me wish I’d known him. Deepest sympathies.
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Colleen Kelly: I’m so sorry Iyad.
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Rafik Beekun: Michael, may you rest in peace.
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Adilah Dahdul: So sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace.
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Monique Hollis-Perry: Very sorry for your loss.
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Farrah N. Khan: So sorry Iyad.
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Felicity Figueroa: Such a great loss to our community…
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Hussam Ayloush: What a sad loss. Michael Kinslow was a real champion of justice and peace. We will miss a true loving human being.
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From Diana O’Grady Williams, a friend of Mike and Georgie’s:
Michael Kinslow passed away this morning. The world lost a wonderful person with a huge heart. He advocated for many and the starfish he touched live on, because of his integrity , conviction and big heart.
Today my heart aches for the loss of Michael here on earth. Mostly, my tears are for his wife Georgia and children. I know their pain.
I pray God will help them through this difficult time.
RIP Michael Kinslow
Mike with his beloved son Tristan.
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Ron Varasteh, a friend and political ally of Mike’s in DPOC:
We will await your arrival to send you home in true Celtic Tradition: http://youtu.be/aPiqWzHiPmQ
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Michelle Elaine Wardell, another of Mike and Georgie’s friends, wrote:
Michael Kinslow you have touched my life and my family’s life in more ways than I can count. You were there for me, my sisters, and most importantly my mom. You were and still are one of her best friends. I will never forget the great times you and your family shared with mine. May you rest in peace
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Rest in Peace Michael.
So very sorry for your loss Georgie. You both are in our thoughts and prayers.
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My deepest condolences go out to everyone (including myself) who will miss Michael Kinslow with his passing. His light will never go out because it will live in all of us whose lives he has touched.
Mike, center, with Oni Yumul, Jeff LeTourneau, Julio Perez, and Arnel Dino at a pro-immigration rally in Brea.
Replies from:
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Craig Jago Beauchamp: Amen, Oni. We’ll said. I’ll miss him too.
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Josephine Yumul Diamond: We love you so brother
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Tish Leon, a prominent OC activist, at right in the photo with Mike and Clau Brena, wrote:
A true advocate for Children.
I will miss you
I’m so sad to learn of your passing, Michael Kinslow. But, I’m comforted knowing you are loved by so many who will miss you tremendously. May your family, especially Georgie Denman Kinslow, find peace during this very sad time. Until we meet again, my very dear friend!
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Kristin Maynes wrote:
Michael Kinslow, may you Rest In Peace where you are not longer suffering but in the most peaceful place on earth! You will be missed greatly by my entire family and especially, my mom. You were a dear friend to her and my entire family. You are such a kind and gentle soul and I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to know you and your family, to say the least. And out of all days, you were taken on this bright and beautiful day. May your soul shine as bright as the sun always. You will always hold a special place in our family and in our hearts.
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Michael, You have touched many lives, some of whom you can see here. your spirit will live on in those whose lives you have touched, and whom will always remember you. Rest in Peace my VF Brother. You’ve done your last parade. We’ll take it from here.
*Probably more than once. And at length. He really loved his alma mater.
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Kathleen Frances McGinn, who apparently knew Mike when he still had dark hair, said:
RIP Michael Kinslow. You will always live in my heart.
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We are saddened to hear of Michaels passing but take comfort in the fact that he is at rest, his body is once again whole and he has received his reward. Since before he met my son he would say, “imagine how proud you will be when he enters the Naval Academy.” He is only in 7th grade but he has become a USNA fan. Yesterday as he put on his Naval Academy hat from Santa you were with us. You will be with us when he receives his AAD medal this spring and as he continues to grow following your example. I am proud we are brothers and proud to carry part of you with me forever. Love you!
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Michael is now at peace and I pray for those left behind to find comfort in the gift of his memory.
Each man’s life touches so many other lives that when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole.
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I am totally shocked to hear of Michael’s passing. He was a gentleman and a Great Democrat. I am lucky to have met him and to have enjoyed his company. My prayers for Mike and his family.
C. J.
I’m still in shock. Will never, ever forget you being there for me when my daughter had brain cancer – she survived with the wish of meeting you. I haven’t told her yet – don’t know how. With all the years that we attended VF together – we were much closer then ever imagine – we just never finished our conversation ! With all my love brother – I’m sure your arm is around Gods shoulder – as his is around yours!
Maurice VF 80 – 82
It was great reconnecting with Michael last year. We ran together on the cross country team at Valley Forge. I will miss him.
Thank you so much for dedicating your time and energy to creating this amazing tribute to an amazing man! Reading it brought tears to my eyes and wonderful memories to my heart!
Thank you, Walt. I miss Mike terribly. I am busy with casework (on top of a little blogging) for the next few days, but then I look forward to being able to turn back to the subject and do some updates (including of the more recent material posted on his page) starting this weekend.
Peace brother Michael – I just found out. You are a good soul!
We were deeply saddened by the news of Michael’s passing. He was and always will be who we refer to as “our fifth son”. We loved him as one of our own. He spent much of his childhood at our home. Our most recent and fondest memory was having Michael travel all the way out from California for our surprise 50th wedding anniversary in Pennsylvania this past spring. It was so wonderful to see him. He also always made an effort to call on Carol’s birthday which always made her day. Much love to Georgie and Mary Lou.