White paper cups were strategically placed in the chain-link fence along Wildcat Drive last week to spell out a simple, but sad message to a beloved young man ? ‘WE MISS U MIKE!?
Friends, students and staff at Oxford Middle School are grieving the tragic death of eighth-grader Michael Magdaleno, who lost his courageous and dignified battle with cancer Tuesday, Nov. 30 ? nearly four years after a tumor was discovered on his left kidney.
In his 13 short years on this earth, Michael, a former student of Clear Lake Elementary, had a profound effect and positive influence on everyone lucky enough to know him.
‘Kids who I’ve worked with over the last week say they’re better people for knowing Michael,? said Joyce Brasington, assistant principal at OMS.
‘He taught us all so many life lessons ? how to live life; how to face a battle with courage, perservance and a positive attitude; how to love God; how to treat others; how to put others before yourself,? said Clear Lake Elementary teacher Melissa Flanagan, who was Michael’s fourth and fifth grade teacher while he was homebound during his early cancer treatments. ‘Michael led by example.?
Funny, respectful and respected, polite, intelligent, quick-witted, sensitive, wise, forgiving, easygoing, encouraging, charismatic, loving ? these are words teachers, staff and students used to describe Michael.
‘The best way to describe Michael is that he had an old soul,? said OMS counselor Megan McDonald. ‘Michael was wise beyond his age.?
Rather than alienate him from his young peers, Michael’s advanced maturity enabled him to respect, accept and genuinely like everyone around him.
‘He was brought up to be friendly to everybody. It didn’t matter who they were. He didn’t tease or make fun of anyone,? McDonald said.
‘He was always reaching out to his fellow students,? said OMS teacher Libby Dolsen. ‘He never thought of himself first. He always thought of others, of everyone around him.?
‘Michael communicated to others that he cared,? Flanagan said. ‘He was a great listener. He was a great friend.?
All of this won Michael much affection and admiration in return.
‘All the teachers liked him. All the kids liked him. The kids that didn’t even know him that well him liked him,? McDonald said.
‘Kids listened to him. They followed him,? said band instructor Pat Parrish.
Michael was a ‘conscientious? percussionist who ‘loved, loved? performing music as part of the OMS Band, according to Parrish.
‘He was the leader of the (percussion) section,? said Parrish, adding section members are feeling a ‘real sense of loss? in the wake of Michael’s death.
‘His passing really hit them hard,? Parrish said.
Michael’s passing has been especially hard on close friends like fellow eighth-graders Kim Rizzo, Connor McGee and Matthew Peterson, all of whom he taught valuable life lessons.
‘He motivated me so much and inspired me to be the person I am,? said Rizzo, who knew Michael since the age of 3. ‘He always said, ‘Never give up. Do the best you can.??
Michael’s inspiration meant so much to Rizzo that she penned two essays and a poem honoring her dear friend and personal hero.
‘The reason I am a writer is because of him,? Rizzo said. ‘Michael was so supportive. He read my first essay (in fifth grade) and said, ‘You should keep going because you’re really good.??
McGee said he learned ‘to give people second chances? because of his friend Michael.
‘He was never mad or angry at anyone,? McGee said. ‘He always forgave everyone. It didn’t matter what they did.?
Peterson, who first met Michael in preschool, said his friend taught him ‘to be yourself. Don’t act like you’re somebody else.?
‘He always treated me as I am,? Peterson said. ‘He was the first person to talk to me (in preschool).?
So close was the two friends? bond that when Michael first underwent chemotheraphy in the fourth-grade and lost all his hair, Peterson had his head shaved so his friend wouldn’t feel singled-out, alone or isolated.
Peterson admired the way Michael battled his cancer. ‘He always took it day by day. Never complained about it. He always fought.?
In addition to his wisdom, courage and compassion, Michael had an extraordinary sense of humor that delighted those around him. Many of the people this reporter interviewed mentioned Michael’s comedic performances in the middle school’s annual talent show.
‘From the moment he walked (on stage) and told his first joke, he had us laughing hysterically,? recalled teacher Libby Dolsen. ‘Students, teacher, parents and administrators were watching a master. He never missed a line, a word or a joke. All perfectly timed and delivered. Michael even wrote and and rapped a parody about his teachers and principals. Not one talent show production goes by without remembering Michael Magdaleno’s performance. Thank you Michael for making us laugh.?
OMS Assistant Principal Joyce Brasington said teacher Tom Brown ? who was home-schooling Michael for the last 1? years ? summed the young man best when he told her, ‘People who didn’t know Michael said that he was lucky to have me come help him. But people who knew Michael will tell you I was lucky to spend the last year-and-a-half with him.?
OMS students and staff paid tribute to Michael Friday with a special hat day, in which participants paid at least $1 to sport their favorite head-wear. Approximately $1,000 was raised and will be donated in Michael’s memory to the Beaumont Foundation (3711 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, 48073) for the Rose Cancer Center.
Clear Lake Elementary also held a hat day Friday in Michael’s honor and collected $1,226 for the Rose Cancer Center.
Memorial contributions may also be made to the Oxford Middle School Band (1420 Lakeville Rd., Oxford, 48371) or the LOBOS Club care of Jim Dyckman (2368 Browning Dr., Lake Orion 48360).
Michael is survived by his father Tony, mother Maureen, sister Jacqueline and brother Benjamin. He’s also survived by grandparents John P. and Polly G. Magdaleno and Ron Kelly; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He’s preceded in death by grandmother Rose Kelly.