I did not know Mike, but judging by the reactions in this thread, I wish I could have. Time and space are cruel to us sometimes; keeping us apart from people we would be blessed to know, people like Mike. And then stealing them away from those who they are close to.
It's a cruel irony that to live forever would make the hurt worse, and eternal.
RIP Mike, there's no doubt that a good friend is gone, but not lost.