On Friday, March 17, NYSTIA invites colleagues, friends and family to raise a glass and make a toast to an incredible spirit - Michael Linehan!
Raise a cup of coffee in the office, meet friends for a pint of Guinness or a glass of wine, or all of the above! As you do, make a toast, remember "Mikey Merlot," laugh and make new memories in his honor.
Everyone is saying the same thing - they can't believe he is gone. And that is because he really isn't! He lives on in the smile of his two beautiful girls, in the hearts of all who met him, and in each happy snow flake! Mike was so much to so many people. He epitomized the saying, "There are no strangers, just friends you haven't met yet!"
Take a photo or capture a short video tribute of your toast, and upload it to Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #MikeyMerlot - and tag @nystia, so all can share in this special event.
Please send this to anyone in the world you think would like to join in. Let's make this BIG...larger than life, just like Mike.
You can also share your Mike stories and pictures for a special commemorative booklet NYSTIA is creating for his family. Between now and March 15th, send your stories and/or photos (with captions and identifying everyone in them), directly to Suzanne Bixby at suzanne@nystia.org. Use the subject line: Mike Memories.
In the same spirit, if you haven't yet donated to help Mike's family, why not donate on St. Patrick's Day? Instructions for sending a check or using the GoFundMe page HERE.
Here's to Michael! So Lucky we met!
- Bridgette Berry
Bridgette is a former Director for Ithaca/Tompkins County CVB.