I think I missed a Think Daily for Businesspeople message yesterday. I’m sorry about that. It’s the first time in 13 years.
I have been caring for two different family members for the last few days. But most importantly, yesterday, one of my greatest and closest friends in life, died. Mike Lane put up an incredible fight against brain cancer for five years, when doctors gave him less than a year to live when he was diagnosed on Christmas Day in 2017.
His story could and should be a book. He was a miracle made possible by thinking for himself, optimism in the face of the devil, guts, perseverance, the love between him and his wife Gail, and his faith.
I was blessed to be in the room with his family when he took his last breath. He chose his moment. When the priest stopped praying out loud for him, he took his last breath, and I felt an incredible calm come over the room and all in it. I’ve never experienced anything like that.
So, if you will forgive me, this message will serve as two.
Life is short. Business is a game to be played. But it should make you better, not worse. Do it with style, and grace, and make it something you are proud of. You are not taking anything with you.
The purpose of your being in business is to make others’ lives better in a way they want, and then you can get what you want. Keep good character. Mike was a model of good character.
Live in such a way that people want to come to your funeral.
Mike’s funeral will be very large. He touched many lives.
His superpower was bringing the best out of other people. He saw things in people they did not see in themselves. (He was our sales training director). People rose to that vision because they did not want to let him down. He was funny, dedicated, thoughtful, gave generously of his time, and never bit anyone.
Visiting hours are 4-8 eastern at Chase Parkway Memorial funeral home in Waterbury CT on Tuesday, Dec 27. The wake will be at St. Michaels Church in Beacon Falls CT 11 am Wednesday, Dec 28, followed by the cemetery, followed by food at a gathering where people will be given a chance to share memories and say things about Mike to all present. Please come if you can.
Be a good human. Help others while you can.
A business is a great lever to do that.
Mike Lane was a respectful, well respected man. He was a gentleman, a servant, a good man to others at all times. He gave all of himself to anyone and everyone who asked. He shared freely of the vast knowledge he accumulated through his life to help make others better and his legacy will live on because of that. Much love and safe travels Mike!
Mike is and always be Gods Gift to those he touched. There are countless 100,000’s who will never know how this wonderful man improved their lives. Mike never asked for anything in return. His persona will live on. I will miss talking to him and will he will always be in my heart.
Mike was an awesome guy. He was a good and faithful servant and had a heart of good. He is an inspiration to me. I’m a better person for having known him.
Me and my sales team had the pleasure of being trained by Mike. He was everything you described and we are all better in many ways because of him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Mike…thank you!
Mike was a great man ! He help me and my team grow our sales game . It was so easy to learn from him ! God bless you Mike on your new journey ❤️?
Mike Lane. A very special man and a dear close friend. My lunch buddy and first friend I made in high school. Mike is home now and at peace in the place the Lord has prepared for him. I take comfort in knowing this. Time to rest my friend. We will be together again one day.
I am so sorry to hear this news. I knew Mike and immediately was drawn to him. I know he had a huge impact on people in and out of the company. Today is a sad day and I am so sorry for everyone’s loss. RIP Mike.
Sorry for the loss of your friend, Larry.
Sorry Larry, the world needs more Mikes
I only met Mike a few times and in that short time I could tell he was special, a kind man, prayers to his family, rest in peace my friend
Well said Larry. Mike’s character spoke for itself, and the world was definitely a better place because he was in it! He was a true blessing to all who knew him. R.I.P. Mike.
What a blessing it was for me to greet him every time he walked through the doors of Contractornation. He always had a smile and would share with me his gratefulness to God for him still being on earth. He was very encouraging when I told him of my sister who was in the late stages of cancer. I spoke to him a few months back and he let me know he was still fighting. I don’t believe that death is the end. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 KJV says
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory”? I believe that Mike left the earth empty, meaning that he served his purpose and used all of the talents and gifts that God gave him! We should all be .. Like Mike
Beautiful tribute to your friend. I am sorry for your loss.
Larry, My condolences on the loss of your friend.
Larry,
Yesterday, Jeff and Michael shared stories about Mike with our office. I regret I had not had the opportunity to meet him in my years with the company – yet their stories and your heartfelt tribute made me feel as if I knew him well. My sincerest condolences for you and his family at this difficult time. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your ‘brother’ Mike ….
Larry, I’m sorry for the loss of your friend and an employee who helped shape the culture at your company. What a gem he was. Thoughts and prayers going out to you and Mike’s family.
I did not know Mike personally. I could not help but admire his passion and professionalism from afar through the knowledge he shared and through the many teaching and learning videos. Larry’s comments about his peaceful passing and what appears to be happy death are the exclamation point to a life well lived.
2Timothy4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” Rest in Peace Mike
I knew Mike for many years and I always felt better for being around him. I guess now he will be role playing with God! You go Mike, it was a blessing to have know you!!
We were all heartbroken to here the news regarding Mike ‘s passing. As the trainer for Quebec Basement Systems I spent as much time as possible with Mike when we met at different trainings in CT but also watching the videos over and over with each new batch of trainees. Mike has been an inspiration to me over the almost 4 years that I have been in this great organization. My heartfelt condoleances to Gail, Sam, his sister and the whole family as well as all his collegues in the network who benefitted from his advice. Mike you will be missed but never forgotten. A special thought for you Larry in this time of grief.
Mike was a very positive person, and a good human being. sorry for your loss.
Mike was a True Gentleman.
I’m truly sorry for your loss. I’ll pray for grace over Mike’s family amd friends during this time of mourning.
Thank you for todays message Larry and sharing how much Mike meant to you.
Love and prayers to all of you.
Graced by Mike’s presence. Very special life experience for me to have met him. Sorry for your loss Larry. Prayers, love and peace to you, Mike’s family and all his friends. ?❤️✌️
I met Mike 17 yrs ago at BSI training. He was one of THE BEST human beings I’ve ever met. He put everything he had into all that he did. I watched and learned as he taught me everything from sales, production, marketing, how to perform in the “Basement Systems Garage Band” and yes, even the ins and outs of motocross racing. Most of all, Mike taught me how to think positively. Our conversations after his diagnosis and my sons murder were purely from his golden heart and were so instrumental in healing my grief and faith journey. I thank you Mike for being YOU! I wonder if there will be any angels in heaven able to say “No” to your sales pitch ??!!
RIP my Buddy!
May he rest in Peace, and our condolences to you and his family.
Well said Larry. Boy that’s a tough loss. Your tribute was so thoughtful I feel like I knew him. Have a Peaceful Christmas.
Marsha
Mike, you inspired us, you encourage us, you believed in us. You made us laugh, so hard, that we cried. You said nothing is impossible.
What a gift you have been to all of us.
You showed the love of Christ to all of us.
May the peace of Christ be with all of us in this difficult time
Mike was a genuinely good person. His resilience in the face of adversity will remain with those who were privileged to meet him. We’ll meet again in heaven. Mike just got there first.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.
Mike was a great guy and just so positive and engaged in any conversation that you just liked him (I did). He had a way of touching people that was special. He will be missed, but there is solace in knowing he had faith.
I love this. “His superpower was bringing the best out of other people.” Isn’t that the truth? We were all so lucky to have him in our lives.
Mike was full of grace. Every time I was around him I left a better person. Never once witnessed him without a smile. Rest in peace Mike! Thank you for teaching us good character.
Sorry for your loss. I never met Mike, but I’m sure he was a good man. Sounds like he was a good Christian man, so he now sits in heaven with his Creator.
May he Rest In Peace with the Angels and the Righteous.
His life impacted the lives of thousands, and those who knew him can never forget him… He lived a life to be celebrate.
Well done Mike! Now go triumphant on your next journey…
I remember Mike very well. Just a very stand up guy! He will be missed by many.
Condolences to the Lane family and the Basement systems family. After 40 years of sales I say Mike either had me fooled or, he deeply cared for everyone. I do believe the later. Rest in peace Mike, long live the kindness you shared.
Mike you will always be a rock star
I never met Mike personally, but through the SOE classes I feel like I did know him. From seeing him in the classes I always felt his heart was in what he was doing and wish I could have met him. Our prayers are for all of his family and friends.
Mike was unbelievable human being and one I called a good friend. He had an amazing heart and really touched the lives of so many people. Everybody loved him. I will miss him but knew his faith and I am glad to know where he is in his eternal home. He is where my Dad is and I got to watch his take his last breath this last May. When we loose a loved one it’s a constant reminder to live it well while we’re here.
Mike trained me. He was a wonderful man and will be missed. My condolences to Mike’s family, to you, Larry, and to all of Contractor Nation. May God bless.
That peaceful music you hear by yourself or that extra boost of confidence that comes over you will always be Mike Lane!! I will never forget you and I thank you for absolutely everything! I will miss Mike!
Thank you Larry for keeping us all in the know!
I thought Mike and I a connection thru auto racing and cars but now I hear that Mike had that ability to make everyone he met feel like they had a special connection with them. So long my friend you have won the race…
Mike Lane was just someone who had character and who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, and then would teach you how to get your own shirt next time. He was truly an incredible person and someone I was blessed to know and have in my life. I have said it before, I wish I had known him longer. May he rest easy and continue to watch over all of us.
Very eloquent words about Mike, and he is very deserving of them. He did have an incredible way of switching around the negative in any situation, including his own terminal diagnosis. We had a long discussion once about stuttering, and he was just so inspiring listening to his take on it. I can only imagine the people that will turn out to celebrate his life. I’m glad you could be with him, as well as his Priest, as I know he was a man of great faith. Rest easy Mike!!
PS Larry I hope all is well with your other family members!
Larry, I so appreciate your words about Mike Lane who was such a one of a kind, incredible friend to each of us who were blessed to have him in our lives as a friend, and in our businesses helping us to develop ourselves and our teams. I read all the comments posted here prior to mine and they are all such an amazing tribute to our even more amazing friend! I appreciate hearing how he touched each of you, even those who never met him. Mike is now rejoicing with the host of saints arrayed in white, who ran and finished the race well. What an addition to the heavenly band! You ran humbly and served your brothers and sisters with such grace my friend. You did not bury your talents and you helped hundreds if not thousands of us to believe in our own potential and to develop and use our talents as well. We felt and experienced your love and grace towards all of us. Well done good and faithful friend. I will miss you.
Gail, Sam, Claire, I love you all and so appreciate your kindness to me, and how you unselfishly shared Mike with all of us. May the God of comfort attend you, wrap you in His eternal and loving arms, and bring you peace. Mike, you’re with Jesus now! Wow! I can only imagine! Until we meet again, rest in Peace and enjoy the glories of your eternal home, purchased for you by the blood of Christ. You will be missed, but your gift my friend remains. Thank You! ??