Having lived courageously with cancer for several years, three recent bouts of sepsis made him increasingly more frail.
Requiring greater care, which could not be provided for him at home, and after his last stay in hospital, Michael briefly went into the excellent care of the staff and nurses at the Acton Care Centre where he sadly died in his 78th year.
Earlier in his life, in the early 1960s, he became the public relations officer of Martini & Rossi at New Zealand House, The Haymarket, London. Though this was interesting and involved lots of travel, it did not really suit him.
Michael was a keen and excellent cricketer and sportsman but his overriding interests were for the arts. He was very fond of music – especially the opera – sculpture, painting and particularly of antique furniture.
Exceptional knowledge
His knowledge of continental furniture became exceptional. He decided to get into antiques and took over the remaining lease of Angel Antiques in Camden Passage and created a flourishing business.
When the lease expired, and facing difficulties in finding an appropriate premises to carry on from, he decided to join his friend Bernard Vieux-Pernon, owner of Hermitage Antiques, first established in Camden Passage in 1970 and then on the Pimlico Road in 1974.
This turned out to be a great association which lasted for over 30 years. Hermitage Antiques closed in 2004 but their friendship continued.
Michael had many qualities. His kindness and generosity, his loyalty and dry sense of humour were highly appreciated by his adoring sister Audrey, for whom he had great love and affection, by his family and by all those who came to know him.
His cremation, restricted to his close family, took place at Mortlake Crematorium on May 4.
Donations to Cancer Research UK. Contact bernard@ph9mail.co.uk
Courtesy of Bernard Vieux-Pernon
