Michael was born on February 7, 1966 in Lynn, Massachusetts and died on September 5, 2023 at the Kaplan House Hospice in Danvers, Massachusetts.
He was predeceased by his father, George Lewis of Exeter, NH and by his loving mother Mary Frances (Flynn) Lewis and by his loving nana, Annie “Mae” (Hudson) Flynn both of Lynn, Massachusetts. Michael deeply loved his Mom and Nana and I’m sure he is once again with them. He was also predeceased by his “adoptive” dad Arthur “Pops” Spencer and “adoptive” mother, Patty (Iverson) Spencer of Naples, FL. He was also predeceased by his “sister,” Karen “Kipper” Spencer “The Cookie Lady” of Merrimack, NH.
Michael leaves behind his longtime companion, Mark Spencer of Melrose formerly of Lynnfield. They shared 31 years of life together.
Michael’s friends were his family. He leaves behind, his “sister,” Debbie Perez of Lynn, MA, and his favorite “niece,” Juliana Lopez Davis, also of Lynn as well as Donna Davis, Jaleah Perez, Maureen “Moe” Heise of Naples, FL., Jason Ellard and Denise Capone of Raymond, NH., Bob Colston of Londonderry, NH, Janet Jones of Sarasota, FL., and Diana Carlisle of California. He also leaves behind his “niece,” Caydence Funk, her partner Kim and their sons, Archer and Hunter of Maryland and also his “niece,” J. Beth Rubin, her partner, Matthew and their daughter Frankie of California. He also wanted me to thank Chris and Lauren Chapman who befriended him and helped him with landscaping, and his neighbor, Debby.
He loved you all dearly.
He attended Southern Vermont College in Bennington, Vermont where he studied communications. Later, he worked as a supervisor at the Hogan Regional Center in Danvers, MA, and as a bartender at the 119 Merrimac club in Boston.
He was a great defender of animals, especially wolves. He adopted a sickly, newborn guinea pig named Ziggy whom he fed by hand for over a month. Ziggy was Michael’s companion for 8 years. He had two friends in Salisbury, Chip the chipmunk who got an unlimited supply of peanuts and Gary the gopher who visited him at sunset.
Michael was a mischievous diva- a charmer who could wrap people around his finger with a smile. He was a spirit warrior who overcame grievous childhood trauma and defeated it. He was a loving, kind person who cared for his Mom and Nana when they were sick.
He loved Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac and played them to the point where one wanted to scream. A young woman Chaplin visited Mike at the Kaplan Hospice House and sang Stevie Nicks for him- so even at the end he got his Nicks fix. He met Pink who gave him a long hug, which he loved. Several years ago, he did a promo for Channel 5 in Boston, which aired over and over again. He became known The Channel 5 guy and was insufferable. He loved horror movies, All the Real Housewives shows, The Walking Dead, vampire and mystery novels.
He wanted the world to know that he died of AIDS- he saw no shame in having a disease that is like any other disease. He believed ignorance dies in the bright light of truth.
Michael loved camping at the Covered Bridge campground in the White Mountains. He said it was where he found perfect peace. It is there that his ashes will be scattered so that he never leaves.
Michael wanted me to extend his heartfelt gratitude to Dawn and Deb, his hospice nurse and social worker who shepherded him through the last eleven months of his life. They were with him at the beginning and at the end. They treated him with love, dignity and, more importantly, made him laugh.
The last two things Michael said before he died were “I love you” and “Get me chocolate NOW!” So, he was himself to the end.
He was my longtime companion, my best friend, my brother and I shall miss him terribly.
As will we all.
