On August 16th 2008 at 8:20 pm Heaven opened it's gate to the greatest man who ever touched my life. My Father, Michael Martineau a.k.a. Mike Michaels. I, Roland Martineau on behalf of my entire family created this site for all who knew him. His lineage is as follows: First born son Michael R. Martineau ,his second born son Roland A. Martineau and last born, daughter Linda A. Martineau as well as his grandchildren Alison Martineau, Joshua Martineau, Rebecca Martineau,Jeremy Martineau, Heather Martineau, Amanda Martineau, Natasha Martineau, Destiny Martineau and GreatGrandson Austin Martineau-Henry. It is our hope that all remember him and get more insight as to the events in his life as well as share who he was to those who did not know him. This site will be updated regularly with additional content. Your input would be greatly welcomed concerning your own contact with him as well as any comments concerning this site and can be sent to - legacyofmikemichaels@gmail.com
Please return to this site on October 13 2008 as the first volume into his life will begin.
I would like to take this first online presence to express a great personal grievance concerning Joan Savolainen and her willful disrespect my fathers wishes and the lack of acknowledgment of his family. Though to start his site this way may seem a bit unorthodox, it is completely in character of my fathers beliefs and the way he would handle things of this nature. So in that respect I shall continue.
First offensive action was in the form of consciously omitting the existence of his surviving relatives in all medical records during his treatment that ended in this death (making it extremely difficult to get any information concerning his condition) as well as only acknowledging herself in his obituary notice posted on August 18th, and is as copied from the Osceola News-Gazette and is as follows:
MICHAELS - Please join us for a celebration of life for Mike Michaels of Narcoossee, which will be held from 7 p.m. -9 p.m. this Saturday at the St. Cloud Hotel on New York Avenue in St. Cloud.
Mike passed away Saturday night after a short illness. He was Osceola County's area "sign man". Mike was also an active member in Schnauzer Love Rescue, which was truly one of his great loves.
He is survived by his loving wife, Joan Savolainen.
Instead of flowers, please send any and all donations to the following 2 groups:
Schnauzer Love Rescue, 1356 Stonecrest Dr., Birmingham, AL.35235 and
American Diabetes Assoc., Attn: Memorial Program, 1701 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, Va 22312
My family was further heartbroken by this and we have posted another obituary through St. Cloud in the News, with great thanks to John Willard and this staff who were also great friends of my fathers.
Her second offense was in regard to certain personal property in my fathers possession at the time of his death. Repeated request for these items were denied by her. The last request ended in Joan Savolainen stating to me:
"YOU AIN'T GETTING SHIT, I WILL GIVE IT ALL AWAY BEFORE I GIVE IT TO YOU!"
There has been no just cause for her behavior and her need for complete control and power over others with no remorse or compassion for our loss has left us with an empty place in our hearts. Specifically in regards to his grandson who was promised the three oil paintings requested. One in particular that was a self portrait that my father painted of himself during his youth while attending Rhode Island School of Design. His grandson shares many of his attributes including his artistic abilities and was in the process of preparing a specific display for these items. These painting were previously in our possession, but were temporarily returned to my fathers office due to construction at my son's in preparation of their return. The room was being themed around our history. Unfortunately my father passed away before their return. The other things I requested are not things of great monetary value to others, in fact were things Joan referred to repeatedly as junk. To us they're truly priceless as they are items that we grew up seeing him use and teach me and my brother with. Like a purple sign box with my name (Roland) on it and the lettering brushes inside or some of his hand tools and equipment, i.e. the safety harnesses we wore that were stored upstairs in a exposed pole barn and probably dry rotted, but nevertheless still priceless to us. I had worked with my father for many years and also been fortunate to be very close to him most of my life. My siblings, his grandchildren and great grandchildren weren't so fortunate and this makes her actions even more devastating to his family. All the items requested would probably equal less than $2000 in monetary value. They are priceless to the family and legacy of my father. My Father and his family have been directly insulted and offended both verbally and publicly by her. It is my intention to give Joan Francis Savolainen clear notice of these offenses so that there may be NO misunderstanding as to the Martineau family's position. And give her another opportunity to do what is morally right and fulfill my deceased fathers wishes, that through the years have always been clearly expressed by him. I will continue to elaborate further into these matters as well other aspects of my fathers life in future posts. I end this post stating before God and all who will hear that I always have and will continue to love my father more than he will ever know and will forever miss his presence in my life. His words will live on in my heart and mind and I vow to continue to pursue the fulfillment of his wishes. I ask once again by all that is right and just that my fathers things be returned to this family as he desired, that they may serve as a declaration of his life through which his seed could embrace.
I would like to close with positive note and express our Greatest Gratitude to all who knew him and made a positive impact on his life. Though they're not all mentioned here by name, they are in our thoughts and I will do my best to acknowledge them by name as his legacy is spelled out through future posts as they deserve their own attention and focus without the negative shadow necessary in this post. Please view his obituary generously placed in St. Cloud in the News. We Thank You all for your time and attention.
