On Christmas Eve, my friend Michael died. He spent his last days at the hospice in Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, enjoying many visitors, human and canine, according to his life partner, Adrianne. They, and their gifted, sensitive son Nathaniel were frequent guests at my home in SF. This is a picture of Michael looking uncharacteristically gaudy in his Hollywood Smoking Jacket at my Casablanca-themed Oscar Party. Michael was the most appreciative audience for my cooking efforts, largely, I think, do to my lavish use of butterfat and his spartan diet at home. Michael was a brilliant photographer and man of many talents and interests. He was never less that entertaining, and always kind. I remember his gentle warmth to my father during his visits, particularly during my father's decline with Alzheimer's. They talked about Japan, where my father was in the army of occupation and Michael had spent much of his childhood. Michael took my favorite portrait of myself: a blatant rip-off of the famous shot of Bette Midler nude on a bed of roses, but in my case I was swathed in my massive collection of fuck-me pumps. It would have made a great Christmas card. Michael was a loving father and loved cats. He was the only person who could pick up my bad bitch cat Kitch by both ends and play accordion with her. She loved it. I loved him and his family.
Safe journey, Michael. You will be sorely missed.
You don't know me; stumbled here via Houston's blog. But I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about the loss of your friend Michael. I got a big laugh out of the visual of him playing accordion with your cat. Sounds like he was a wonderful and interesting person. It's always hard to lose someone you love, but this time of year it's particularly difficult. Hope it helps just a little to know that people care.
Posted by: ellen | Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 02:35 PM
For years I have thought about and tried to search for old friends. I had a best friend named Michael Schneps in Japan. He lived in Roppongi in Tokyo with his family. His family owned the Cross-Continent publishing company. I was a military dependant and lived at Washington Heights. Mike and I used to cover a lot of ground in Tokyo and were best of friends. I see the picture of Michael and I think this is the same Mike that I used to know. I am sorry to find out that he has passed on. If you can respond, please let me know if this was my best friend.
Thank you,
Bill Swink
Posted by: Bill Swink | Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 06:27 AM
I knew Mike in Tokyo and have often wondered what happened to him. He was a good teenager and was destined to become a good man. I'm sure he is sorely missed by those who know him now.
Posted by: Jan Welch (Gercik) | Friday, June 02, 2006 at 05:21 PM
In 1958 my family moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Tokyo where my father was assigned as an airline captain for Transocean Airlines. I attended American School in Japan (ASIJ) and there I met Mike in early 1959 and we became best friends. I later attended Narimasu High School. Mike had a Honda 50cc motorcycle and after I got one also, we rode everywhere together. We often hung out at the Washington Heights Teen Club and had a number of friends there. I visited his home many times at 23, Kasumi-Cho, Azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo where his parents operated Cross Continent Company, an import/export business and they also published the journals Today's Tokyo and Today's Japan. His Uncle Marvin operated "Tour Worth a Million" (a tour around Tokyo).
In mid 1959 my dad was transferred back to California and while I was never able to see Mike again I did correspond with him off and on and the last time was in 1999/2000 about the time my mother passed away. I considered Mike as one of the best friends I had ever had and greatly valued our time in Tokyo visiting, among other places, the Keyboard night club.
I am so very saddened and sorry to know that he has passed away
Posted by: John Roseborough | Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 02:24 PM
Frank Follis (still lives in Tokyo) recently told me about Mike's passing...I knew Mike, in Tokyo, at Narimasu High School with the late Keith Redman (passed in 1984) and Frank Follis. We knew each other from 1959 to the Spring of 1961.
I can be contacted at billstanton@mail.com in Florida USA.
Posted by: Bill Stanton | Monday, June 21, 2010 at 07:18 PM