It is with a heavy heart that I write a story to post on my brother's obituary page. As he and so many others called me "Eddie Hook"  , I was the one out of the Ungrue boys who would depart this earth at an early age. Give me an inch and I took a mile. Mike would take some, I would take it all. As I beleive God has a plan, here I sit still trying to figure out why the soft hearted one, the even keeled one, the gentle one, the non-combatative one of us has been chosen to leave our side, and become  an angel that will look down upon us. And now, the song verse comes over me "Only the good die young". Over the years as clarity over life set in with me, I realized just how special my brother Mike was. At times I felt and I still feel that becoming a part time recluse and just staying home was ok with him. Always putting himself second and accepting the hand that he had been dealt. Mike endured the worst pain a parent can experience, when he lost his daughter Monica. No parent should have to plan their child's funeral. Mike picked himself up and continued to be the best he could be. And we didn't learn how to be proper parents by our parents, we have learned through trial and error. Mike wasn't a good person, he was a great person. "Quietly, gently and never advertised, he was a great person. Misunderstood, led astray and not being the chosen one would be some of the descriptive words that would be my brother Mike as we were growing up. Mike loved his job, he was a dedicated employee, a great worker amongst workers. Never thinking he was better than anyone. Never making anyone feel "less than" . Mike was the unsung hero at work. I could keep writing and giving examples of the way Mike was great, not good. There comes a time when we  all have decisions to make....and my brother made his. He chose to accept life on life's terms and be the best he could be with what he did and what he had. Humble a man was he. We lived thousands of miles apart and I know my brother Mike today, better than I ever have. In his death, I have learned about his life. My brother Mike has taught me how to be a better person by the way he lived and now by the way he died. I write to let it out and read to learn more. Mike, my brother never sent me the message on a paper to read. He lived and traveled a road in life that I now know was not easy. I am forever grateful and proud to be your little brother. Mike, I love you and until we are together again, I promise to read more of your story and do my best to become a better man.

I love you, "Eddie Hook"