My morning coffee runs to Peet's will never be the same. Mike was a very kind, generous man who always brought a smile to the faces of the customers he served. He was always smiling and happy, and that joie de vivre was extremely contagious.

He will be deeply missed by those of us who had the priviledge of knowing him, even in a cursory capacity.

Mike was one of those people whose very presence makes a place a community. On many a cold morning, I was warmed by his cheerful comment or a smile that said "welcome back!" Mike, we are grateful for the big gifts you gave to our little corner of Palo Alto. We will miss you.

Mike...

Whenever I came in you brought a smile to my face and a moment when I could just enjoy the company and the service of a man with a personality bigger than anyone. To be in the back of the line and hear "Steve...you want you regular?" made my day start off in the right direction. If I may be so bold as to call you my friend...I will miss you my friend.

Steve

I worked with Mike at the Menlo Park Peet's store for a very long time. I just want to spout out some of my own fond memories of our "Little Mikey Dawson".

*Mike was always the keeper of the peace within the store... like our own little Ghandi.

*He always made me laugh my butt off with his quick wit and arsenal of (sometimes dirty) jokes.

*If I was having a hard time in my personal life, he not only lent an ear but was always a source of insight and sagely advice.

Mike loved everyone and everyone loved Mike. Although I haven't worked at Peet's for several years now, I still think of him all the time and had just been talking about him two days before I heard the heart-breaking news.

I love you, Mike. You WILL be missed!

Oh no! This is so sad. Mike has made me many a wet capuccino over the years, all served with a smile.

My condolences to his friends and family.

I was stunned to hear about Michael's passing. He lit up many, many of my mornings with a quick smile and despite the hundreds of customers who pass through Peet's doors every day, he remembered my name. He radiated kindness and sincerity and I'm sad to say that I didn't have the opportunity to know him longer or better. I will miss him and send my sincerest condolences to his friends and family.

Michael was my best friend, and a father figure to me. He passed away on Wednesday morning in my arms at the Peets Palo Alto Store. With this loss i have a huge void in my heart. My heart is broken. He was always there for me as a Best friend, a father, should be. He turned my life around when i was headed downt he wrong path and he gave me something worth living for, something worth trying for, His friendship. Its important for all of us that knew Mike to remember the love and the light that he express for everything everday. I have never met anyone with so much insight and love for life and people. He will be sorely missed by myself and the rest of us.

A while back, those of us who frequent the Menlo Park Peets were disappointed when Mike transferred to Palo Alto. He had made our Peets special. The efficiency and the warmth that we enjoyed belonged to him.

But when I first showed up when Mike was on duty at the Homer Street location, his face lit up. He asked if I’d come all the way from Menlo Park just to see him. We laughed! He made lots of us serious folk laugh and feel welcome. He was good at what he did, the kind of person every coffee place should have – but doesn’t. His lattes were right on the mark, as was his friendship.

More than once he asked after the “regulars” at Menlo Park, who show up for about an hour in the early evening, and said to say hello to them. This week I was sorry to have to take them the news of his untimely demise.

Like other customers, I will be missing his presence. He was a gift we did not get to keep.

Michael Dawson loved life, the radiance of his personality tuched countless people lives. He loved to laugh, joke, and tell stories; michael always knew how to cheer you up. On many a hard day a funny joke, or some wise advice got me though my day,

Michael helped me though the hardest of times, and showed me how to enjoy the good and the bad in life. Working with Micheal at Peet's has been one of the great joys of my life. Moreover he thought me how to apreciate life, and relish the little things. Listening, laughing, living and learning from Michael has given me memories that I will Sincerely value for my whole life.

In life people come and go, but you will only have the pleasure of meeting a man like Mike a few times a lifetime, if that. Countless Peetniks, WholeFoods employees and customers loved Mikey and will miss him forever...

Is there memorial service information anywhere? If possible, I would like to say goodbye to Michael as he played an important role in my life at one point.

This morning my husband and I went at Peet's and got to know about Mike's passing.
It's been a little longer than a month since I stopped by there the last time, and when I come back, I suddenly learn he is not there anymore, and I have the clear sensation that there was something I had to tell him before he left, something I would have told him if I had known he would leave... maybe I just wanted to tell how cool and warm and positive he is, and that is always so good to have him close by when he takes a 5 min. break under the tree and I'm sitting there and having tea. I stopped going there when he went to work in Berkeley.
For every word there's a picture you relate to in your mind, and my picture for the word Peet's is Mike's face, his strong smile and red, red cheeks...
All love and strenght to his family and friends.
Lrissa.

I have been out of town for a bit and was looking forward to seeing Mike this morning to catch-up. We frequently chatted outside Peets. He was an inspiration; his travels, his feelings about family. I had much to report to him, but he has moved on. I feel the loss, and I am sure there are others that feel it even more deeply.

Stephanie, I always sensed what he meant to you. You are indeed blessed to have known him like you did.

May all who knew him grow and carry his good energy forward.

Thanks for everything Mike! Thanks for you!
-Robert (gunpowder tea)