Brad Swaback (Mitch’s uncle)
On a very cold June morning, we awoke from the buzzing hotel alarm clock that was set for 3:30 a.m.
As we dragged each other out of bed, we forced our way into our wet suits, jumped into our truck, headed one mile east to Winthrop Harbor where we launched our wave runners into a very silent, calm and dark Lake Michigan. Despite the warnings from early morning fisherman that our wave runners were not supposed to be out in the darkness we idled slowly out of the marina. We high fived each other as we passed the empty coast guard vessel knowing they would be all over us if they saw us. Our plan was to slowly go out two miles on Lake Michigan and then wait. We wanted to experience what it was like to have an unobstructed view of the sun rising over the horizon. As the sun started to rise we were amazed at the site we saw. It literally felt like it was only a few miles ahead of us. Without hesitation we both hit it and took off towards the sun. Most people ride off into the sunset, that morning we experienced riding into the sun rise letting out screams of excitement until the sun had final separated itself from the water. At least five miles away from the shore by now, we turned off our engines, turned our bodies around, used the handle bars as a back rest, put our feet up on the seats and just floated. To this day I remember saying to Mitch, this is one memory that will always belong to you and me.
Little did I know that 14 years later I would be working with Mitch on a daily basis. The same energy, excitement and craziness that I experienced that morning was as strong as ever and so was he. Mitch developed into a strong young man who I was privileged to have shared so much of his life with.
On any given day Mitch always seemed to be in the middle of things.
For Mitch, it wasn’t about the personal attention, it was about him wanting to share life, problems and situations with those whom he loved and cared for. Although one might argue that from the outside looking in.
His personal trademarks of being loud, somewhat irritating and somewhere north of the crazy line were known by all. But those things were small in comparison to the love he had for others. Under that rough and tough body of his, there was a soft gentle heart that was ready to share tears for anyone he knew, Mitch had a heart of pure love, for God, his family and his friends.
When I asked Mitch’s cousin, co-worker and best friend Jeff to describe Mitch in one word, what would it be?
His answer was one that I know most would agree with and that word was; “loyal”.
It didn’t matter what battle you were facing, what game you were playing or what challenge needed to be conquered you could count on Mitch to be there.
Mitch was dependable, hard working, helpful and even when it was out of his league he was always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing and it didn’t matter who was watching.
If you were choosing teams, you would pick Mitch, if for nothing else but the fact that he would give a 100% and would always try his very hardest.
At work, Mitch accepted guidance, was eager to learn and was striving for the excellence that he watched his father display on a daily basis.
Mitch always received discipline well, was quick to say I’m sorry and I’ll try harder next time.
Mitch also brought the lighter side to work, whether it was a 100 copies of a persons image strategically placed throughout my office so no matter what I opened up or what page I would turn to, I would bust a smile.
He would hide 1 inch figurines of men dressed in different themes in my office; on a ledge, looking over the top of my monitor or on top of the door. Until you spotted them they were always staring at you.
Mitch would always complain about his office being to hot and always bug me to have the thermostat lowered that was right outside his office door. He couldn’t do it because of the clear locked plastic case that surrounds the thermostat. Today, taped to the inside of that clear case is a 1 inch policeman figurine that guards that thermostat. I chuckle inside just about every time I walk by there.
Mitch always had phrases that became contagious, whats up, I’m straight, Boo-ya and the Mitch classic used mainly after he was yelled at; what-ever dude.
But the one that will always be special is when it was time to go home, Mitch would come into my office, we would hit fists and then he’d say; pizel - code for peace out.
Mitch allowed me his world, I always got amped up by his energy and his intensity and he would always egg me on by saying;
Come on old man. Ever since I can remember Mitch was always trying to take me down and when he finally had the chance to (and I knew he could) I would just remind him that I was not only his uncle but his boss; so I win, that drove him nuts!!!
I’m going to miss him, I’m going to miss his voice echoing through the halls at work, I’m going to miss him calling me in the afternoon to see if I want a coffee from Dunkin Donuts and most of all I’m going to miss him sneaking up behind me and giving me the tight and sometimes elevating Monday morning hug!
There will always be a place in my heart for Mitch, it’s a giant void that will never, ever, ever be filled, it will always belong to him and he will never be forgotten.
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