I first met Mike during our middle school years. Through high school at KW, college at SUNY-B, we kept rotating in and out of friend groups. One of Mike’s attributes that hasn’t been mentioned here, yet, was his remarkable memory, for information, yes, but more impressively, for moments he shared with pretty much anyone who he knew: he remembered more about an incident we had with the extremely unhelpful Buffalo police officer A. Ortiz when a pothole took me down as we rode our bike to Home of the Hits one summer day when we were 16 or 17 (Mike would’ve remembered exactly)…

I am happy to see this beautiful tribute to a much loved brother, son, family member and friend.

Mike is a brother of my son-in-law Dan. In 2001, he was a great help in my campaign for New York City Council. At that time, I have been serving on the Community School Board for 10 years. The struggle to improve the quality of education for the children was difficult. The physical limitations of space left some students no choice but to sit in the auditorium after lunch. Small groups were taught in a foyer in front of a teachers’ bathroom in PS 89 in Elmhurst. I was trying to find ways to better serve the underrepresented students and parents by running for a seat on the New York City Council, and that’s when Mike came to help. Mike not only helped in collecting signatures to get me on the ballot, but also spoke on my behalf on occasions. He was an articulate speaker and I received many votes. However we couldn’t beat the political machine. After the election, they redrew the district map and carved my neighborhood out. Since then we each went on with our busy lives although I wish we had stayed in touch more. I feel indebted to him for what he did with the meager pay that was available then. One afternoon towards the end of the campaign when I was told to close the account that same day with some donated money left, I couldn’t get in touch with him to give him the money. Regrettably it all went to the lawyer. A few years later, some new school buildings were constructed and old ones renovated. The extreme overcrowding was slightly alleviated.. Our efforts were not in vain. Mike will always be remembered fondly for his kindness and energy. May he rest in peace in our Heavenly Father’s arms.

In 1995 I had dropped out of a PhD program in geochemistry and was hoping to reinvent myself at NYU. I was delighted to run into Mike rollerblading around Washington Square Park - I remembered him as a relentlessly fun and energetic person from my time at WHRW and SUNY-B. I still have an illustration he gave me on a band-aid wrapper around that time, and I always loved running into him around the city during my time there. Years later we reconnected on Facebook, and I was happy to follow his further adventures.

Mike Naylon (Rollerblade Mike) was someone you may have known or encountered in Buffalo, Brooklyn or Manhattan in the 80's through the early decades of this century. Or maybe like me you encountered him at SUNY Binghamton, where he was my brother Thomas Rigney's housemate and one of his best friends. Maybe you saw him gliding through the streets, had a mile a minute conversation with him at Other Music, ran into him at a concert, or bought a used book, CD or strikingly original silkscreened shirt from him at a weekend sidewalk sale near the Bedford Ave L train stop. You likely knew of his love of music of all kinds and were blown away by his seemingly boundless creative spirit. Myself and many of his friends also knew him as a talented artist, with an amazing eye for an image, especially with his silkscreening and the literally handmade films he made that were the shirts' source material. You may not have known Mike's struggles with mental illness, because if he was out and about that meant he was generally in a good place. Sadly, many of us learned yesterday that Mike passed October 31. Like others, I slowly lost my connection to him for a variety of reasons which makes his passing even sadder. A great hole has opened up in our lives, knowing he's not out there rushing through the world somewhere, and that we won't ever run into him in the streets or at a show ever again. My deep deep sympathies to his family and all of those who loved him.

He touched my life in a significant way- we were together for a while in college and stayed in touch for many years. I don’t think I’m any different from the rest- his brilliance, passion, ups and downs all came with that package.

Never a dull moment and always the person you hoped to run into at a concert.

Over the past few days, it’s been occurring to me how very much of my favorite music was influenced by Mike. In 1985 introduced me to Kate Bush for which I’ll be forever be grateful. We definitely bonded over the Smiths and truly I can’t listen to the Smiths today, without hearing his voice, singing some of the lyrics and changing them slightly, in that witty way that he could do —spur of the moment. He made me a tape of Elvis Costello’s Imperial Bed room. when I told him that Beyond Belief was my favorite song of all time. I couldn’t understand the lyrics, so he wrote them out for me. I probably still have them in a journal somewhere, and I still know all the lyrics. He made sure we knew about all of the cool bands and films playing. We shared our love of and excitement about collage work. Thank you, Mike.

So much this, as the kids say. I actually made a playlist today of artists Mike had introduced me to. Robyn Hitchcock. Lloyd Cole. The Buzzcocks. So many more that I've probably forgotten. God, what a huge influence he was.

I am missing Mike acutely as I type this message. Mike had a spirit, enthusiasm, curiosity, and outsized generosity - ready to share anything that he loved with others. I knew Mike in his many guises - artist, musicologist, collector, filmmaker, proofreader and paralegal, rollerblader, Coney Island swimmer, vegan cook, inventor, and dedicated concert goer. Mike turned me onto so many great bands and performers - and continue to groove to the many CDs he burned for me. We went to so many concerts together - so many venues - and nothing excited Mike more than the prospect of an upcoming show. Nothing like spending an afternoon with him seeing a psych or African band on a hot afternoon at Union Pool! And his enthusiasm - or more correctly, zeal - was amazing! He always seemed to know performers, promoters and venue operators. If he didn't he would seek them out after the show and sometimes give them one of his creations - like a silk screened tote bag or button. He was a fan and unafraid to show it. The many things he loved, he loved a lot - and I feel fortunate that he shared some of it with me. We will all miss him and the world is surely less of a place with his loss.

I remember him as wacky, kind, driven, with an always ready smile.

I worked at Other Music until it closed and he was certainly a well known customer. A true enthusiast. His face would just light up when he was talking about music. After the store closed, I would occasionally encounter him on the streets in New York. We would have intense discussions about music and art and he would encourage me in my own creative pursuits. I hope that he is happily rolling along in the next world.

To remember Mike is to see his wide smile, the mischief in his eye and his embrace of the moment. One of the last times I saw him was at a music festival in Coney Island and now I think he was an avatar for summer and surf and music--the joy in all our bones.

We were friends in college and bonded over our shared love of music. I saw him occasionally after Binghamton and I have a piece of his artwork on my wall. I'm wearing a shirt he made today in his honor. I would like to express my deepest sympathies the his family for their loss. The attached photo is from an art show of my paintings in Beacon N.Y. Mike accompanied me and is seen here with my mother, father (since deceased) and my friend since junior high school Marco.

Mike and I met as freshmen at SUNY-BInghamton in 1989. It was a magical time. Our days there were filled with music, art, and incredible fun. Mike was intense, smart, and amazingly creative. We kept in touch for years after college, but gradually our lives diverged. I think about him all the time and wish I could have been a better, stronger friend. Love to Mike's family.

I transferred to Binghamton University and Mike was one of the first people I met there and I think he recognized I was new and a little lost there, and was an immediate friend. He was an incredible music lover, and it was an infectious and an educational love, an unstoppable DJ. He made art as if it was breathing or eating, it was that necessary. I am incredibly saddened at his loss but joyous in remembering our times together, that group of friends, and his amazing vitality.

Mike made great album covers for bands that played around the Lower East Side and Brooklyn. He used to show his captivating film loops over bands as they performed. Truly memorable.

He was a great spirit who loved music with all his heart and soul. He will be missed by so many people.

We met on the first day of our freshmen year at SUNY Binghamton and enjoyed many great times together going to concerts, skiing and hiking. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

He was a hard worker and strived on accuracy and performance. We are all honored to know him.

I have fond memories of babysitting for Michael and all the family. He was a sweet, well behaved youngster. I wish I had the opportunity to know him as a young man.

We cherish our memories we shared with the Naylon's on Warren Avenue. Peace to Michael and love to you all.