MICHAEL HOWARD LOVELL September 4, 1958 - February 16, 2016 With great sadness, we mourn the passing of Michael Lovell, our beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His very special spirit, nourished by two far apart islands, infused our family and our world with uncommon intelligence and humor. A true Hawaii boy, Michael was also attuned to the Gaelic spirits of his Irish ancestors, whose gifts and frailties he shared. As a writer, he was a natural storyteller with an instinct for dark humor and the unexpected perspective. His quick wit and passion for calling out abuse of power was balanced always with kindness and respect for every person's dignity. Michael lived simply, needing little, owning little, but he could not live without books. He always had his Hawaii public library card with him, even during a period when he was homeless. A student of the world, he was able to share rare insights with absolute ease. Mike's favorite job, and a source for much of his material as a writer, was driving cab, which allowed him to bring together several things he loved - his encyclopedic knowledge of cars, his intimate familiarity with Honolulu and local rules of the road, and his genuine curiosity about people. It was the perfect set-up for a naturally shy person -- short encounters, with contact mediated by the car mirror. Michael loved his family and was a loyal friend and considerate neighbor. He also cared deeply about our political system. He was especially knowledgeable and passionate about constitutional protections for individual civil liberties. He worked hard as a self-appointed community organizer to help people, especially poor, homeless, or otherwise disenfranchised people, to exercise their right to vote, always ready with a blank, stamped, voter registration form from a stack he carried with him. We are so much the better for having known and loved him, and will forever treasure his spirit. Godspeed, Michael. Michael was preceded in death by his parents Mary Hanley Lovell and William F. Lovell, his brother Bill, his sister Lisa Lovell, and many aunts and uncles, including Elizabeth and Charles Glascock, with whom he lived for a time in adolescence. He is survived by two sisters, Loretta Nelson (David) of Honolulu, and Melora Braver (Will Wadlington) of Warriors Mark, PA, brother-in-law, Edmund Schott of Honolulu, his niece, Meredith Haider of Great Barrington, MA, nephews Dylan Wadlington (Sasha Juba) of Pine Grove Mills, PA, Mark Braver, of Chicago, Matthew Nelson (Lesley) of Hopkinton, MA, Keaka Nelson (Sarah Strong) of Hilo, and great-nephews and nieces Kai, Hilde and Riley Wadlington, Hanley Braver, Brady and Cameron Nelson, Maile and Kanoe Nelson, his aunt Josephine McNamara, and many loving cousins and friends. Private services were held April 2 on Tantalus in Honolulu. For those who wish to honor his memory, donations to the Hawaii State Library, or to the American Civil Liberties Union would be a deeply fitting tribute to Mike.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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