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Michael Tuthill Obituary

Michael Tuthill, 22 years of age, a loving son and brother, passed away suddenly on September 12, 2009. Michael, also known as “Mikey,� was born on January 27, 1987 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His loving parents, Bill and Barb Tuthill, raised Michael and his sisters Kailey and Karissa in a loving atmosphere of family and friends, while at the same time teaching the value of hard work. His father was a loving and successful role model, and his mother a nurturing safety blanket of protection. As a young boy and young man, Michael's energy could quickly lift the spirits of anyone around him. He was an avid skier, snowboarder, kite boarder, mountain biker, road biker, soccer and tennis player and master of all intramural sports. Mike's energy and love for life spread through the halls of Air Academy High School and Colorado University at Boulder. ‘Live, laugh and love' was his mantra. He laughed or made others laugh to help cope with whatever curve ball might be thrown their way. He had a compassion that caused him to reach out to others and often to step in to help protect their interests. He had a unique ability to break down social barriers and unite people from all different backgrounds, ideologies and faiths. Michael possessed a strong social consciousness for both public and private causes and never shrank from a challenge. Michael lived far more in his short life than most do in a lifetime, he will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Garden of the Gods Club on Mesa Road. A memorial fund for Michael has been set up with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Charity, 239 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. Details for the charity and the memorial service can be found at www.miketuthill.blogspot.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Sep. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Tuthill

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November 3, 2009

Dearest Michael, I love and miss you so much. Not a moment or a day goes by that I don't think about you and wish that we could share one of our big bear hugs. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Lots of Love,Mom

October 30, 2009

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October 30, 2009

Annie Bardgett

September 26, 2009

Dear Tuthills, I've had the pleasure to be around Mike on a few occassions while he was a roommate of my son Justin. He always was in an uplifting mood and made you feel better just to be near him. His sense of humor left you laughing, his hugs left you warm and his smile lit up the room. I know he's resting in the palm of God's hand. May God bless you and lift you up with wonderful memories of Mike's beautiful spirit. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Annie Bardgett

April Speake

September 25, 2009

Dear Tuthill Family,
As an organization and as individuals, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. It is our goal, each day, to make a difference in young lives - to help our youth grow to become the type of person your son and brother appears to have been. Though he is no longer a physical part of this world, may Michael continue to impact us in meaningful ways - ways that only occur through the perpetual reverberations brought about by kind actions and powerful memories.

April Speake
Big Brothers Big Sisters-Pikes Peak
Executive Director

September 25, 2009

September 20, 2009
Dear Barb, Bill, Karissa and Kailey, You have all been in our thoughts. Dave and I will always remember Michael on our 2000 trip down the Grand Canyon. Even though the road ahead will be tough and never quite the same, hopefully you will be able to draw strength from the love and support of close friends and family along with the wonderful memories of Michael. The Grieving process will not be easy and will be different for each of you- allow yourselves to experience it fully, as well as understood and honor it in yourself and others- seek help if you need it. Above all, take the time you need and take care of yourselves.
With love and compassion, Liz Whitney, Dave and Ryan Twedt.

September 23, 2009

DearTuthills,
Our family has been shaken by the sadness and shock of Mike's sudden death. He was a brother to our son Dane and treated our daughter Bryn like a little sister. What an amazing family you are to have raised such a beautiful boy. His selfless nature and exuberance for life was so evident every time we were around him. When problems arose with our kids in Boulder, my husband and I knew that Mike would be there to help sort things out. As busy as his life was with work, school and family he always made time (and enjoyed) lending a hand to friends. He was able to do more in one day than most could do in several. He was even willing to help us research finding a door for our family's 96 Ford Explorer. Mike said it would be easy to find a salvage yard in Boulder and he would even install the door for us. Mike made countless trips to DIA, installed a T V and fixed the stand, hung shelfs, stored and hauled Dane's excess furniture all over Boulder, replaced Bryn's broken computer keyboard with his own good one and even lent out his cherished mini-van. The hilarious Tuhill stories that we have heard over the past few days from the boys who loved him will keep us smiling forever. The mere mention of a wheelchair, duct tape, pepper spray, traffic cameras and Visine will cause us to tear-up for a long time. We realize that as Mike's family, you already know how special he was. We hope it is comforting for you to hear about the monumental impact Mike had on the lives of all who knew him. As we begin this journey of healing we pray that God, who is the source of all peace, surround us with His kind spirt of grace and understanding.
With love, the Jacobs family

September 23, 2009

Dear Bill and Barbara -

We were so very sorry to hear about Michael. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Holly (Pattin) and James McNamara

September 23, 2009

Dear Bill, I am so sorry to hear about Michael. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Barb, Kailey and Karissa. Love, your cousin Sandra

Patty Thompson

September 22, 2009

Dear Friends: Michael's passing is so hard to understand & so difficult to accept...and eventually the pain will diminish, but never disappear. When that time comes, remember the smile that would light a room, and the laugh that would boom down a hallway, and know that Michael will never be gone from our hearts! Everyone he met was touched by his spirit...I know I was. Love and strength to all of you...patty t. and family

Beatrice Southward

September 21, 2009

Dear Tuthill Family,

We were so saddened to hear of the painful loss of your precious son, Michael.....it is an overwhelming hurt to lose a child at such a young age....

Pray that your beautiful wonderful memories of Michael will sustain and strengthen you as you deal with your tremendous grief.

We remember Michael as our daughter Stacy babysat both Karissa and Michael around 1988/89 and know she so enjoyed them at their precious ages.

We lost Brandon our youngest in 2005 and will keep you in our prayers and thoughts as we are too painfully aware of the difficult road you as a family must now travel.

God's Peace be with you and your whole family...

Beatrice and Stan Southward

Stacy Banks(Southward)

September 21, 2009

Dear Tuthill Family,
I am soo sorry for your tragedy. I used to babysit both Karissa and Michael when I went to Air Academy(Kailey was just a start in the sky). I will pray for your strength and togetherness through this long journey. I can soo empathize your loss of Michael. I lost my brother 4 years ago(28 years old). I get your pain your pain and questions and am here anytime you need to talk.
My heart goes out to you all,

Love,
Stacy Banks(Southward)
Colorado Springs, CO

Stacy Banks(Southward)

September 21, 2009

Dear Tuthill Family,
I am soo sorry for your tragedy. I used to babysit both Karissa and Michael when I went to Air Academy(Kailey was just a start in the sky). I will pray for your strength and togetherness through this long journey. I can soo empathize your loss of Michael. I lost my brother 4 years ago(28 years old). I get your pain your pain and questions and am here anytime you need to talk.
My heart goes out to you all,

September 21, 2009

Thinking of you everyday. Chris B.

Paul Brown

September 20, 2009

Dear Tuthill family,
It was with a mixture of sadness and joy that Sherry and I read of Michael's death, his love for life and his compassionate nature - along with the love and carrying of a wonderful family.
Our love and condolences,
Cousins Paul and Sherry Brown

September 20, 2009

We love and miss you so very much Michael.

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