Mikey....Michael Edwards...(LicualaCalytrocalyxFreck)

[Pedro 65]

Mark Daish from FNQ just called me and said he is going to Mikeys funeral today, he died a few days ago, thought I better post and let everyone know of Mikeys passing, I had never met Mikey .. RIP Mikey.. Pete

[Dypsisdean]

Shocking news. I did not know of any terminal health problems, and from photos and conversations I assumed he was not old enough to pass away suddenly. Was it an accident?

Knowing Mikey only from the emails we shared, it was clear that he had few peers when it came to first hand knowledge of palms, and none when it came to the enthusiasm and excitement whenever he talked about them. This news leaves me quite saddened.

[BS Man about Palms]

That is very sad to hear and quite a shock. I knew he had health issues and occasional bouts with depression. I really liked Mikey because of his boundless enthusiasm for palms and the like.

I'll miss him.

Thank you for letting us know Pete.

[LJG]

Wow. I am in shock. He wasn't posting long ago about his trip to Arizona. Pete, can you find out more? I would really like to know.

[bgl]

Pete,

Thanks for sharing this shocking piece of news. This is truly tragic. Like most here, I never met Mikey, but his enthusiasm always came through loud and clear in all of his posts. He will certainly be missed. This is very sad.

Bo-Göran

[Daryl]

Wow, very sad news indeed. I only met Mikey once, and he was full of enthusiasm and energy despite his ongoing health issues. A real palm nut too. Life is really cruel sometimes.

Daryl

[Walter John]

Oh no, oh this is so bad. I spoke to Mikey a few weeks ago because I was so excited that my son Joe was moving to Cairns and that I would soon visit my son and catch up with Mikey again. I can't believe it, I'm stunned. Not a good week for me as two of my former work friends also passed away in the last 5 days or so.

It will be worthy of posting some details on his connection with palm tree growing, his influences and knowledge, his relationship with the Cairns Botanical gardens, his connection with the famous "Foxy Lady" palm, lots to write about for this gentleman. What a blow..

[Tyrone]

Oh no. That is such a shock. Very sad indeed. Such a nice chap too. The last time we spoke was on the phone about Rich Trapnell. He was really cut up about Rich's passing. I have wanted for a while to get up to Cairns to actually meet him. I left it too late. He'll be really missed. A very sad day.

[ariscott]

Oh... I feel so terrible!!!! I haven't spoken to him for a few months.... RIP, Mikey... You will be missed

Regards, Ari

[rthink]

It is absolutely shocking to me. I used to exchange emails with him regularly a few years ago. He's very nice person and his enthusiasm for palms is second to none. I'm sure if I meet him in person we can talk about palms for the whole days. Very sad day today. RIP Mikey

[aussiearoids]

Mikey me old mate , you will be missed .

[Kim]

It is so sad to lose one of our enthusiastic members. I understood he had some sort of chronic health issues, but am shocked to hear of his passing. I hope someone can offer our condolences to his family. It may comfort them to know he is missed around the world.

[newcal]

SO SAD!.I remember being introduced to Mikey at one of the early PACSOA shows in Brisbane.Most knowledgeable person on Calyptrocaylx and Licuala and general palms that i've had the pleasure to meet.Nice guy too....The palm world will be poorer for his loss...RIP ...Cheers MIKE GREEN(NEWCAL)

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Had the pleasure to spend time with Mikey around North Queensland a few times and we always had a good time, Mikey loved his tropical palms and would guide anyone to the best of them any time anyone visited.Unfortunately he struggled with his health and depression for a long time, however this never stopped him happily sharing his knowledge, may he rest in peace surrounded by palm filled tropical gardens

regards

Colin

[peachy]

I am happy that Mikey got to make his trip overseas before he passed on. Its very sad to lose him.

Peachy

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

I always find it odd how much i am touched by people i have never met nor ever conversed...........and yet, this is the nature of family, as much as any other, i suppose.

I would always love to read his posts, and his distain for regular use of punctuation made it a challenge....but always well worth the effort.

My condolences to his family and friends...he will be missed

RIP Mikey

[Kennybenjamin]

Sad news!! I did once meet Mike at his home in North Queensland about 10 years ago before the palm bug really hit me hard. His collection, enthusiasm and knowledge has stuck with me ever since!!

A big loss for the palm world and my sincere condolences go out to his family! May his rest be surrounded by perfectly grown calyptrocalyx, licuala's and peace!!

[Tropicgardener]

Indeed very sad news........I didn't ever meet him as I don't think he was up in Cairns when I lived there but enjoyed having discussions with him.......tropical horticulture will be much poorer without him..........

[Gileno Machado]

This is very sad to hear. I don't visit this section of Palmtalk often and I've just realized that we have lost one of the best contributors to this forum, a real palm expert and a dedicated grower, and also a true gentleman in every aspect.

Although we have never met in person, we used to exchange many seeds and growing information, being often in touch via e-mails, palmtalk and facebook messages. His enthusiasm for small palms, in particular, made us close cyberfriends for a long time.

Rest in Peace Mikey

[Phoenix Bob]

Just received a letter from Mikey's family informing me of his death. I had been traveling for a good part of the last three weeks and had not been on the I.P.S. website during that time. I seldom read the "Memorials" thread, but I certainly will now check it more often. My wife and I brought Mikey to the States (Arizona) in March of this year. His vast knowledge of anything palm-related was amazing, but even more impressive was the fact that when meeting Mikey for the first time you just automatically knew what a fine man he was. Within just two days of first meeting Mikey face-to-face in Cairns, my wife and I had already decided to bring him to Phoenix a.s.a.p. so he might learn more about our wonderful indigenous cacti. Mikey also expressed a long-held fantasy about seeing the Grand Canyon, so we made certain that was also part of his Arizona experience. His response at peering over the rim of the canyon for the first time will continue to delight our memories of him for the rest of our lives; It was truly like seeing a five-year-old on Christmas morning. Sad to say that we only have memories now, but they are wonderful ones. For those of you who never had any interaction with Mikey, I am sorry. Your lives would have been better for it!

According to Mikey's family the probable cause of death was cardiac arrest...............................that's a real shocker when you consider he turned 47 on his last birthday (which he happened to have spent with us). Part of his ashes are to be strewn in Daintree National Park which is a wonderful place full of so many tropical palms. I would imagine the remaining ashes will be returned to Mikey's native New Zealand where his family will hold a traditional Maori funeral.

[BS Man about Palms]

Its still sad.. But Glad you made a great memory for him Bob.

[MattyB]

I just read this. Very sad news. The Frek will be missed.

[Walter John]

My wife and I brought Mikey to the States (Arizona) in March of this year. His vast knowledge of anything palm-related was amazing, but even more impressive was the fact that when meeting Mikey for the first time you just automatically knew what a fine man he was. Within just two days of first meeting Mikey face-to-face in Cairns, my wife and I had already decided to bring him to Phoenix a.s.a.p. so he might learn more about our wonderful indigenous cacti. Mikey also expressed a long-held fantasy about seeing the Grand Canyon, so we made certain that was also part of his Arizona experience. His response at peering over the rim of the canyon for the first time will continue to delight our memories of him for the rest of our lives; It was truly like seeing a five-year-old on Christmas morning.

That was such a wonderful gesture Bob, the timing as it turns out was ideal.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I spoke to Mikey quite recently. His computer was out of action for some reason so he was upset with that as he liked to get on PT once in a while, and his car had stopped running too, he was still happy though as we talked about each of our sons, and we even talked about palms (how unusual) and he still had the passion. Mikey was an avid Manly-Warringah Rugby League supporter, so we would chat league whenever we talked. His leg operation was never completed succesfully, so the use of his prostetic gave him curry. I recall one time in Cairns I was with Mikey, he was on the phone to Michael of Tully (aussiearoids) and he handed me the phone to say hi to Michael, you remember that Michael ? Such great memories for me, the networking of palm gurus from NQ. I hope to add more later on Mikey's palm story.

[Mr Cycad]

I've only just come across this too.... very sad indeed. Another local guru passes... He was a wealth of knowledge and always had time for a chat. He will be surely missed by many. R.I.P. Mikey.

[realarch]

Really sorry to hear about a member of our PT family passing on. Peace brother.