Keep Smiling!

---

Mike Fossey aka ‘Keep Smiling’



It saddens me to bring news of my brother’s departure from this life following a very brief illness. Mike has been with travelblog for more years than I care to remember, telling tales of his travel adventures and sharing colourful blogs from his beloved India, where he made so many dear friends he always considered family.





A keen photographer, he was able to capture the true spirit of India, returning to remote villages with photographs from previous years to give to excited children. I consider myself so fortunate to have shared some of those pleasures with him in recent times.





He will be remembered by many and missed by all for his friendship, his generosity, his good humour and his constant message to us all – ‘keep smiling’.





Our thoughts are with his wonderful family: his wife, Pat, a son and daughter, and two grandchildren.





So, smile for my little brother as we wave him goodbye.



David

You can find Mike here: https://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Keep-Smiling/

---

Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Great sadness & sending a smile
David & Janice, It is with great sorrow that I read this notification. We loved reading Mike's adventures and yes he seemed to dearly love India. I know he wouldn't want me to have my current tear in my eye, that he would want me to smile but I am saddened by another travel blogger leaving us. Mike was an exceptional writer and I felt like I knew him. Sending you love ... and a smile across the miles. MJ

[Grey haired nomads]

My little brother, Mike
Hello Merry Jo, Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm sure you knew Mike as well as anyone at Travelblog and we often remembered you in our conversations, which inevitably turned to travel writing and photography. The true sadness is that at 75 he was nine years younger than me and the second younger brother to leave this planet before me. It seem that travel will not be on anyone's list for the coming months - our motorhome is mothballed, but those of you who work in the care sector will be particularly at risk in these trying times. Do take good care of yourselves. Thank goodness social distancing doesn't include writing. Sincerely, David

[Laura]

Mike
Please accept our sincere condolences following the death of your brother Mike. We know you share some great times. xx

[Grey haired nomads]

My little brother, Mike
Thank you for your kind thoughts Laura. He was very special to me. David

[Jan and Trevor]

Michael- a very special person.
The world needs more people like Michael. We're thinking of you at this very sad time. Please take care of yourselves, and force one of those smiles each time you think of Mike.

[Grey haired nomads]

My little brother, Mike
Hi Jan and Trevor, Thank you for your kind thoughts. His parting came as such a shock - he was only ill for a few days - nothing to do with the current pandemic as far as we know. He was nine years younger than me. That's why I don't look at gravestones in churchyards, they were all younger than me. I'm guessing your travels to Europe will be curtailed this year but we hope you will be safe from Corona there in Aus. No building yet, but the plans are finally passed we think! We'll communicate further by email. Love to you and all the family, David - and Janice Oh - and keep smiling!

[Dancing Dave]

Keep Smiling...Lest we Forget
Thank you for letting us know of Mike's ill-timed passing, David. He was an icon of Travelblog and will be very much missed. I think of you and your extended family at this time and uphold you in your loss. I can safely say Mike will always be remembered. His travels are embedded in the ether and his mantra will surely endure..."Keep Smiling"...his call will forever ring out.

[Grey haired nomads]

My little brother, Mikee
Hi Dave, Thank you for your kind thoughts. I'll miss his blogs and great photographs but I'll also miss our weekly Skype and his humour. Keep safe there Dave.

[Moira james]

So sorry
To read the news of your brothers departure. You loss must be great, a brother, friend and travelling partner, what memories you must have of your times together. Hope you are both well and managing the self isolating OK. Time to do all those small jobs we keep putting off or plan our next journey? We were plotting Bhutan, have you been? Love Moira & Graeme xx

[Grey haired nomads]

My little bother, Mike
Hello Moira and Graeme, Thank you for your kind thoughts. Mike and I were quite close in recent years, particularly where his beloved India was concerned. He has so many wonderful friends there all of whom he considered family. We have been tucked in the trunk of your unit on your travels over the months and presume you are now back home again for a while. What a great example you are to all of us! Right now though, we're self isolating, getting on with our many hobbies and waiting for building to start on our new home nearby. It's taken months to get planning for our rather 'modern' house and meanwhile we're living in rented accommodation. No good taking to the road with all the campsites closed! Keep safe and keep in touch - we'll get to see you again someday. David and Janice

[Joyce Insley]

Thinking of you David and Janice
I always remember the beautiful email that you sent to me on the passing of Elmer. It is locked in my Book of Memories. It gave me so much solace at a very dark time. I wish I could do the same for you. Keep well.

[Grey haired nomads]

My little brother, Mike
Thank you so much Joyce. I had become very close to 'my little brother' as I often referred to him and he will be always with me in spirit. In his beloved India it is written that we will meet again. These are tough times indeed, but we'll survive it if we adopt the Churchill spirit. We sincerely hope you are keeping well and taking good care of yourself. Be safe and much love, David and Janice

[Karen Fossey]

Thank you
Lovely words about my Dad - thank you Uncle David. Xx

[Grey haired nomads]

Your Dad
Hello Karen, We are all so very sad this day, Karen, and our thoughts are with you and all the family for our sudden loss. These are truly most difficult times. What more can I say? Travelblog have asked me to write more to post as this message only goes to my list and his many facebook friends will not know of our grief and share in our sorrow. Much love, Uncle David and Janice