All 3 entries tagged Mike Smith

Celebrating the life of Mike Smith on his Anniversary

Follow-up to Mike Smith, Craftsman, Metal Spinner, R.I.P. from Rob McGonigle on Internet Search & SMEs

Yesterday I attended a mass to celebrate the life of Mike Smith conducted by Fr. Prem Jayalath Fernando at the University Chaplaincy.

His youngest daughter, Thérèse, is now a student here at Warwick and organised this Mass on the occasion of the anniversary of Mike’s premature death. Father Fernando was well briefed about Mike’s business and links with WMG and WMCCM and he also painted a different picture of Mike as an Alter Boy and chorister. Mark Swift also took time out as he juggles two jobs and my son Richard, who met Thérèse on NAGTY events, was able to attend. Thérèse was also supported by 4th year Chemist, Matthew Cooper.

I did not find out about Mikes death till some time later so his anniversary caught us all by surprise, even his daughter. This late notice meant several work friends of Mike sent messages of support and apologies including Iain Robertson of MAS, Tony Ashford in the ‘Quarter’, Dr. Jay Bal, WMG and Sharon Tuersley ex-WMCCM and now on the library staff.

Robert McGonigle : 29 Feb 2008 17:30 |  Tags: Metal Spinner Mike Smith |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

A 'thank you' to Mike Smith and other messages

Writing about web page http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bexliveshere/savethumbs?.dir=/.e3e6scd&.src=mail&.tok=phyFrXGBDhopCxzU

I have been pleased to have gathered comments from the community who met Mike through business but who grew to know him as a friend.

I have also found this thank you email from Rebecca.

Dear Mike,
I am sure you have probably forgotton about the parts you made for me as its almost a year ago, but here are some pictures of the bird boxes I made for my final project whilst I was finishing my three dimensional degree at Northumbria University.
The part you made became the back-door which you can see in a couple of the pictures.

Sorry it has taken me so long to send these picks, but I wanted to say thankyou. I came out of the degree with a first and am now back at Northumbria University as a designer in residence under Trevor and the other tutors guidance. I am finally recieving orders for the boxes and so will be intouch, if thats ok to place another order for the same sort of thing.
Rebecca

Rebecca’s project was the latest in a series of student design projects at the Northumbria University that Mike has helped with. Mike Smith has also been involved in the design projects of some of the department staff there and they are looking through their photo library to see if they can compile small gallery of Mike’s work.

When I have these images I will add them here, to a photo share somewhere and onto www.skillspin.co.uk.

Robert McGonigle : 14 Mar 2007 10:30 |  Tags: Bird Boxes Mike Smith |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Mike Smith, Craftsman, Metal Spinner, R.I.P.

Writing about web page http://www.skillspin.co.uk

One of the best things about working for WMCCM is getting out and meeting owners, managers and many skilled and interesting people.

The project’s best assistances have been, not surprisingly, where we have built up a close working relationship with our company contact. Mike Smith has been one of those.

I was introduced to Mike by Iain Robertson of MAS-WM three years ago. Mike’s business Skillspin had lost their biggest customer as a result of changes at Laura Ashley’s furnishing business. With some excellent pictures of his work we were able to help him straightaway with a catalogue. The combination of words and pictures were so effective Skillspin became an early case study for the marketplace.

I continued the assistance by setting up an easily modified web-site and our team got to know Mike better as he attended events and spoke at one. Mike introduced me to Tony Ashford and Peter Davies, friends with small businesses in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and so I have found it easy to keep in touch.

In recent months Skillspin’s business has been picking up some excellent new business from the web. He was also battling on another front with cancer and chemotherapy treatments. A battle he recently, sadly, lost. This came as a shock to our team, many of whom remember Mike as “a really nice guy”. Dr. Mark Swift and our director Dr. Jay Bal both expressed their deep sadness as they remembered Mike from some fine times.

Mike’s business will probably be run to an orderly close meeting outstanding obligations. Just another craftsman, metal spinning, business to fold in the West Midlands? Sadly probably true.

I did get to learn something of another side of Mike’s life, his family. Married to Bridget with four daughters, two have grown up to become pharmacists. I know more about the youngest, as she is the same age as my son John. She is another academic high flyer, a talented musician and choral singer and at the last I heard considering reading Mathematics here at the University of Warwick. A NAGTY kid she will not need any more orienteering tours of this campus!

Mike has left us too early. He lived life with a smile on his face and often a cigarette in his hand. He has left behind a family that Bridget and he were very proud of and he lived to see the next generation of grandchildren set off. Mike and family are Catholics and I am sure that his family will be supported by their wider Church family at this difficult time for them. There will be prayers said for them at St. James’, Whitley and in other places around Birmingham I am sure.

Robert McGonigle : 07 Mar 2007 12:51 |  Tags: Memorium Mike Smith |  Comments (7) |  Close comments |  Report a problem