Funeral Address by Paul Kane
First of all let me say how overwhelmed I am in seeing so many people here. I don't think any one, even Mick, knew how popular he was.
Mick was the type of person who liked to boast about everything as we all knew, and many times with good cause. Right now I know he'll be bending somebody's ear up in heaven about how many of you have turned out today so thank you for turning up to say farewell to Mick.
Mick never did things by halves whether it was American football or his career. Mick had to be the best he could be at everything, always putting in 200%. He was an inspiration to me and others.
When we played American football together it was always Mick who was pushing me to do better and be better. Then in the low points of my life again Mick was the first one there to comfort me or give me a kick up the backside if that was what I needed. One thing that always stuck in my mind was Mick would always say, "You don't want to upset me I'm your only friend." Well, he wasn't my only friend but he was my BEST FRIEND.
I know I'll never forget him. For such a little man he had a big heart and sometimes a bigger ego but he can be always be forgiven for that because he gave a lot more to family and friends than he ever took in return.
In trying to make sense of such a tragic loss I spoke to my 9 year old son on Saturday to make sure he understood what had happened to Mick and where he was and as always the thoughts of children help to put things into perspective when my son explained to me, "Yes Dad. Mick is in heaven now and there is one more star in the sky". He was right. There is one more star in the sky and knowing Mick it will be the BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST STAR up there.
So with that thought the next time you look up at the night sky just remember a man who was so much bigger in essence than he was in stature, a bright star, a husband a son, a grandson, a brother, and my BEST FRIEND.
Thank you for enriching my life and everybody you met in your life. GOODBYE BIG MIK!
Thank you