Mike’s Eulogy I’m sure that many people preparing an eulogy for a loved one struggle to find enough material to fill the 10 minutes available. In Mike’s case, despite the fact that his life was short, there is simply too much to say. Mike’s loss is undoubtedly tragic, but I think we can all be comforted by the fact that if life was measured in experiences rather than in years, Mike would have been in his nineties some time ago! We plan to have a memorial service in a month’s time when speakers from different parts of Mike’s multi-faceted life can give a more considered and detailed tribute, but in the meantime I hope that each of you will find a little something to help you reconnect in a positive way with Mike. So, where do I start? If Goodman (as he was affectionately known by many) was standing here, he’d have no problem. He was an eager and consummate public speaker – in fact he was brilliant. In Goodman parlance he was “brilliant-snilliant”. President of two student’s unions, Vice President of the National Union of Students, Councillor at Hammersmith & Fulham for 8 years, of which 3 were as Leader of the Council, Member of the Labour Party National Policy Forum and Parliamentary Candidate for North Cornwall is a pretty impressive starting point. Mike also held senior positions in several high-profile charities, the most notable as Director of Release for 10 years. It would not be a fitting tribute to Mike if I did not add that this was a charity whose ethos Mike literally “lived and breathed”. During this period Release was re-energised, celebrating its 25th anniversary with a full page legalisation ad in the times. There were loads of other new initiatives. Mike was a regular commentator in the press, radio and TV. It is impossible to measure the positive impact his work has had on many lives, often the most needy and disenfranchised members of society. All this tells us that Mike was a fully signed up member of the “great and the good”. However, without in any way detracting from these fantastic achievements, I really want to pay tribute to Mike the person, Mike the dad, the partner, the son, the brother and the dear friend. Mike had a kind heart. As a teenager Mike was playing Cricket with his cousin Ian. A young boy was watching and wanted to join in. Ian didn’t want him to play as it would undoubtedly spoil their game. However on returning from getting a ball that Mike had actually hit, he found Mike putting the oversize cricket pads on the boy. Mike had felt sorry for the boy so had invited him to join them. When my daughter Rebecca died, Mike was first in line to offer help. He contacted funeral directors and was a great support. Mike was always close to his family. He loved family gatherings and idolised his mother and sisters. It is testimony to Mike’s enduring popularity and the strength of the bonds he established with people that there are so many friends here today from his Brunel days. Many of us have known Mike for 35 years. Our relationships with Mike have been diverse, but I’m sure that reflecting on times with Goodman will bring smiles to every face. He and I failed in our bid to find the Loch Ness monster, but he and others did succeed in their mission to brick up the housekeeper’s door – quite a feat as it required him to get up before 11am! Anthony Scrivener QC who advised the Hammersmith Council at the time of the interest rate swaps affair said: “Although Mike had no idea that the rate swaps were taking place, he immediately accepted responsibility. He was a thoroughly decent, honest and exceptionally able councillor. He had great leadership qualities and was immensely popular with his colleagues and staff.” In fact I’m yet to meet anyone who hasn’t liked Mike. Trevor Phillips, who was president of the NUS when Mike served on the executive admitted that they hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye, but when I told him about Mike’s death he kept saying what a nice guy Mike was. Mike was outwardly friendly to everyone. His enthusiasm for life was infectious. His confidence in himself seemed unlimited, however this was not always matched by his competence. One time he tried some DIY – this resulted in him pulling a radiator off the wall and an emergency plumber being called. After the plumber had left Mike nailed down a floorboard – into a pipe! Planning was not a strong-point either – the eleventh hour simply meant that time was on your side and you had another 59 minutes and 59 seconds to go. He was generally disorganised and chaotic. Perhaps had this not been the case, diagnosis of his illness would have come sooner. Despite his considerable achievements, Mike was never pompous, aloof or superior. On being invited to dine with Prince Philip, he called up to ask if Linda could come too! The answer was no, but Linda nevertheless got inside the palace gates, dressed as a chauffeur in a borrowed London Underground Cap as they lined up with the Rolls Royces in their beaten-up Mitsubishi Colt! Mike loved reading, telly, music, football, sweets and Chinese food. Even now the lady at the takeaway recognises the phone number and can recite the anticipated order without being prompted! He also liked the odd flutter. We’ll forget about the losses, but a £5 bet on Liverpool at 120-1 in 2005 will remain forever in the annals of Goodman family history. The £600 win was used to take his boys to Brighton for 2 days, although Mike’s sisters maintain that effectively the boys took him. Mike was a great Dad – his favourite birthday card was “we all have to grow old - but we can stay immature for ever”. He loved Joseph, George and Alistair dearly. He used to read to Joseph for hours – aged 4 Joseph knew all the Greek Myths. He used to take the boys to the park every Saturday. They would return having had a fantastic time, full of sweets, filthy dirty, frequently missing items of clothing and on one occasion George and Alistair’s shoes. Those that know Mike now realise that he had had Alzheimer’s for some time before formal diagnosis came in March 2006. I’ve tried to imagine how I’d react if at 51 I’d been told that I had a terrible incurable illness that was going to destroy my mind and that I’d die within a few years. I’d be very angry and think “Why me”? Mike reacted with grace. Just as I never heard Mike complain about the Crohn’s disease that had horrible symptoms and saw him in hospital several times in his twenties, I have never heard Mike complain after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis that he got the short straw. He never felt sorry for himself. When he did things wrong, he saw the humour – one time he made the boys sandwiches with the butter on the outside, they laughed about it and Mike laughed with them. Despite losing the ability to read and write (and importantly operate the TV) early-on and forgetting just about everything including where he lived and his sense of direction, Mike coped incredibly well. However things got too tricky and in June 2008 he went to live in Nightingale House. They have been truly wonderful. Mike was universally popular and was very happy there. Earlier this year Mike’s behaviour seemed to change. He became agitated and was admitted to Tolworth Hospital for observation. This was quite traumatic for him. At around the same time he stopped eating and drinking. Stays in Kingston and St George’s Hospitals only brought about temporary respite. After attempts to reverse the trend, those close to Mike made the tough decision that making Mike as comfortable as possible in his last few weeks was the priority. I’m pleased to say that Mike seemed generally happy right to the end. He enjoyed the many visitors, tapped his feet to music and liked being read to. His eyes lit up whenever Linda and his boys were mentioned and they can rest assured that he loved them until the very end. I want to pay tribute to those who have supported Mike over the last few years. Sadly John & Elaine Flanagan can’t be here. They have done so much for Mike. They lived close to Mike and before he moved to Nightingale he would turn up at their house randomly at any time of day and night. John spent many hours sorting out the best support for Mike. They spent a huge amount of time visiting Mike. They have been true friends at a time when the friendship was inevitably rather one-sided. Next I wish to thank the staff at Nightingale – some are here today. Their caring for Mike was well beyond the call of duty. On Mike’s behalf, I’d like to thank Chris Payne who very bravely took Mike on his last adventure, Martin who had Mike and the boys to stay several times, Dave Rounds, who visited Mike frequently and all the other visitors. In the last few weeks Nadeem, Jo & Willie virtually camped at Mike’s bedside. I’m relieved that Mike was not alone when he died. Finally to Linda. Despite having to work and support their children single-handedly, Linda’s has dedicated a significant chunk of her life to looking after Mike in recent years and has done far more than anyone else. Linda’s love for Mike is so clear. Linda’s challenges are not over and I really hope that family and friends of Mike will do all they can to help her and Joseph, Alistair and George in the future. I’m sure that this is what Mike would have wanted. Thank you. Peter Spillman