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The passing of Mike Smitreski

B

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Mike Smitreski who was operations manager of WHOL in the 80's and 90's has passed away at age 51.
 
sorry to hear about mike's passing.i worked for mike in 1984 at WHOL a very brief time.he also did radio at WMUH in 1982 as mike cassere[something like that!] he was a cool guy and will be missed.
 
Mike was brought into my life and the life of my late husband Joe by Pastor Lynnwood Wells. Joe had just left working for WAEB AM & FM and wasn't ready to give up on radio completely. Pastor Wells arranged a meeting between Joe and Mike. As the story goes Mike ask Joe to cut a PSA as a demo...Joe did a cold read before recording it, Mike heard Him do the cold read burst in WHOL's old Production room and told Joe not to bother recording the demo because he had the job. I'm sure Joe was at the gates of heaven waiting to welcome Mike home!
 
In no way is this comment negative towards the late Mike Smitreski. I often wondered about his faith. Despite working for a Christian station, he did play in a garage rock-psychadelic band and hung out in many bars. One time I questioned him about this he was'nt too happy about the interrogation, and politely told me so. I also saw him at a party and a guy at the party was mocking religion and he laughed along with him making no attempt to defend any faith he may of had. Therefore, I was led to believe that despite his day job he was'nt neccessarily a true believer. I guess we never really know. I myself have my issues with religion/theology but that's another story. Mike was a good man and will be missed by many. While he did fire me from WHOL I deserved it as I was a young jabronie and certainly did not hold a grudge.
 
drpickle said:
In no way is this comment negative towards the late Mike Smitreski. I often wondered about his faith. Despite working for a Christian station, he did play in a garage rock-psychadelic band and hung out in many bars. One time I questioned him about this he was'nt too happy about the interrogation, and politely told me so. I also saw him at a party and a guy at the party was mocking religion and he laughed along with him making no attempt to defend any faith he may of had. Therefore, I was led to believe that despite his day job he was'nt neccessarily a true believer. I guess we never really know. I myself have my issues with religion/theology but that's another story. Mike was a good man and will be missed by many. While he did fire me from WHOL I deserved it as I was a young jabronie and certainly did not hold a grudge.
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I can not believe you would even mention that. No matter what his faith or the band that he played in, Mike was a decent guy - better than many so-called Christians, who live their lives "by the book" - and I remember him fondly. I worked with him at WHOL around '84 or so and he did a nice job and always had your back. He even stuck by the "christian" owners who called a staff meeting to tell us that they didn't have money to pay us, but were "praying about it". The guy was never arrested for tax evasion or killed someone, like other local radio personalities and even some station owners in the market have. He was a class guy and his faith is between him and God, but if being a good person gets you into Heaven, he's in!
 
Ken,

Mike had passed away unexpectedly and we are still waiting for the results from the autopsy for the cause of death. Thank you for being concerned.

I would also like to add that drpickle could not have known my brother very well, for the ones that have known him, say nothing but good things about him. I am sure God does not judge people on the style of music they enjoy, but on how they live their lives. Mike was a great brother to me and uncle to my children and I am positive he has been rewarded.

Thank you all for your kind words.

Roxsi Mills
 
Mike was a good guy at ksc now ksu. He was the music director and I was the production director. He turned me on to the group yes. I still think of him today when I hear them. Mike was a good dude.
 
to rosie and roxsi.
you're very welcome and i know how much hurt there must be.i want both of you to
know that mike had a great sence of humor and a mix of musical taste.he loved radio as much as all
of us did back in the 80's at WMUH.the last time i saw mike was in 1993 at WODE oldies 99.he was doing repairs
on some equipment and we did shake hands and talked about the days at the berg.i'm sure he's right now in
a little radio station in heaven.guess i'll see him and all i knew on earth up there someday.these days i'm
on lafayette college radio WJRH.and enjoying every minute of airtime! may mike rest in peace.
 
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