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MEGAHAN
MICHAEL "MIKE" THOMAS
60, of Taylorsville, Kentucky, formerly of North Versailles, passed away on August 27, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on July 24, 1953 in Braddock, PA. Beloved son of Clarence "Mac" Megahan and the late Frances Bowman Megahan of North Versailles; brother of Jan King (Bill) of North Huntingdon and Charles Megahan (Kathy) of East McKeesport. He is survived by nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Michael is also survived by dear friend and companion, Elisa Spalding of Taylorsville, Kentucky. Michael was a 1971 graduate of East Allegheny High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Performance in clarinet and keyboards from Carnegie Mellon University. He received his master's in Music from the University of Louisville. Michael started his career in music while in high school as a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony. He joined the Louisville Orchestra in 1979 as Bass Clarinetist, and in 1982, was awarded the Principal Clarinet position from which he retired in 2002. During his tenure, Michael participated in tours of Europe and Asia with the Pittsburgh Symphony under the direction of Lorin Maazel and worked with the orchestras of Detroit and Cincinnati. Michael also spent many summers playing in the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City, Mexico. In 2004 he began working with Music Theatre Louisville as a rehearsal accompanist and orchestra member for their summer performances at Iroquois Amphitheater in Louisville, Kentucky. Michael was organist, music and choir director at Jeffersontown United Methodist Church, Jeffersontown, Kentucky until January 2013. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 215 11th St., Braddock, PA 15104. Interment will be in Restland Lincoln Memorial Park, Monroeville, PA. ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME, INC., (412) 824-4332.
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October 21, 2013
Dorothy Lesnansky Carlisle
Jan & Family
After leaving the closing service at St. Paul's yesterday afternoon, I heard the tragic news of Mike's passing. I am so sorry I didn't know when I saw you and Bill before the service. I even said hello to your dad. I am not sure if he remembered me or not but I had no idea at that point that he just lost his beloved son. I was older then Mike but I remember him very well and how very talented he was and how proud your parents were of all of you. I can't express to you how sad I was to hear of his passing. I was talking with my sister's about the closing and I asked my sister if Mike was still out of town and she told me than that she had just heard of his passing. What a musician he was and I just know that he is leading the heavenly chorus as they sing praises to our Savior. I know that he is happy and at peace with your mom as well. God bless all of you during this very difficult time and please share this with your father, who has always been such and inspiration to us all. I have always had such fond memories of your Dad and Mom. May your faith carry him and all of you through this difficult time.
October 16, 2013
I'm so sorry to learn of Mike's passing. I never knew him as an adult, but spent many years in scouting with him including as a tent mate on camp staff nearly 45 years ago. RIP Mike.
October 2, 2013
Susan Thomson
To the family: I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Mike from Carnegie-Mellon and my husband was his high school band director. I remember Mike as a very kind person and a wonderful musician. I hope that you can find some comfort in your memories and your faith.
October 1, 2013
Rick Coulter
I have so many fond memories of friendship with Mike. Rock climbing, backpacking, lifeguarding. Best of all was the music making, studies and great times at CMU. God bless.
September 30, 2013
Please let me express my sincere condolences on Mike's passing. Mike was a freshman at East Allegheny High School during my first year as the band director there. It was immediately obvious from the start that Mike was going to be an exceptional musician. After he graduated from EAHS and attended Carnegie Mellon University, he was always willing to return to band camp and to share his expertise and talents with the high school students. It was such a thrill for me to see him succeed as a musician at the professional level. Mike was both a wonderful musician and a wonderful person and I hope that family and close friends can find comfort in all of the positive memories. He will be missed by many. Warmest regards, John Thomson (former Director of Bands, East Allegheny High School Band Director)
September 28, 2013
ken Penrod
Thanks for your friendship. Ken penrod, J-town UMC, Louisville KY
September 28, 2013
Jan King
Together with family and friends we laid my brother to rest today. He was my big brother,loving friend and an amazing and talented musician of which music became his life long passion. Mike had a wonderful career by following that love he had for music. The past 35 years that Mike has lived away from us in Kentucky went by like the blink of an eye. Thank you all for the wonderful words in memory of my brother. God bless you my brother and you will be in my heart always. Love you Mike.
September 27, 2013
Lee Baumann
Mike was a mentor and friend in High School and College. A fantastic musician,kind spirit, and great teacher. Great memories of going to lessons at Tommy Thopmson's and the joy we shared in music and life! God Speed Mike and continue to "Make A Joyful Noise".
September 26, 2013
Gary Falk
I had great respect for Michael as a clarinetist and keyboardist. He was a first-class musician. I did not know Michael socially but he played the piano in my church (First Unitarian) for a time. Gary Falk, Louisville, KY
September 26, 2013
Eric Edwards
Michael was a very caring man and a concerned friend. He was a talented musician. He will be missed.
September 26, 2013
I miss your gentle humor & your musical talent that you shared with us for many years.
Regena
September 25, 2013
I played with Mike many times with the Louisville Orchestra as well as his church in J-town and with Music Theatre Louisville. We will miss you, Mike!
September 25, 2013
JoAnn Magill
I enjoyed working with Michael in our bell choir and admired his many musical talents. He will be missed.
My sympathy to his family.
September 24, 2013
Nina
Michael was a talented musician, gentle soul and friend to many. I will miss you my friend...
September 24, 2013
Michael was such a good composer of music as well as his other musical talents. He was an asset to our choir at Jeffersontown United Methodist as he played piano and organ. Condolences to the family. Rosanne Broome
September 24, 2013
Jean Micklewright
We miss Michael and will remember him fondly, his love for music and dogs, and his kind and open-minded spirit.
September 24, 2013
I wanted to express my sympathy to the family. I remember Micheal as a young man when he started playing the organ at St. Paul. May God Bless
September 24, 2013
Jean Micklewright
I miss Michael's presence, his kind spirit and open-minded way of thinking, lover of music and of dogs.
I won't soon forget you, friend.
September 24, 2013
Michael was a quiet and talented man . He will not be forgotten. Marilyn Lamb
September 24, 2013
Denise LaDue
Like many others have previoiusly said, Michael was a very talented musician and a gentle soul. His talents were enjoyed by many during his time at the Jeffersontown United Methodist Church. Rest in peace, Michael.
September 23, 2013
brian hysong
mike was a good friend, a talented musician and a gentle soul.rest in peace my friend.
September 23, 2013
Mike was my student and my friend. He will be greatly missed.
Tommy Thompson
September 23, 2013
Mike was my student and my friend. He will be greatly missed.
Tommy Thompson
September 23, 2013
I miss you Michael...you were a great friend and colleague. SO TALENTED!!!! Love you sweetie
September 23, 2013
Harold Levin
Mike was a friend and wonderful colleague. In addition to playing in the LO with him from 1980-84, I also had the joy to play chamber music with him on many occasions. Rest in piece my friend.
September 23, 2013
Mark Dicken
I deeply appreciated Mike's talent and his personality and attitude when he served as the organist of Edwardsville United Methodist Church when I was the pastor.
September 23, 2013
Richard Page
Mike and I were at CMU together for a time and were good friends. He joined the Louisville Orch. around the same time that I started with the PSO. He was a very bright, talented guy and I'm so very sorry to learn of his passing.
September 23, 2013
Raymond Horton
I worked with Mike in the Louisville Orchestra for many years, and he was organist at Edwardsville United Methodist Church in southern Indiana, where I am Minister of Music, for several years. Mike also played a number of times with the Pittsburgh Symphony, including a European tour. Mike brought enthusiasm and excellent musicianship to everything that he did. He was most recently the Choir Director and Organist at Jeffersontown (KY) United Methodist Church. We last talked, mostly about the vagaries of church music service, in January of this year. He will be missed by all who knew him.
September 22, 2013
Tom Fairlie
Mike was a great friend and musician. I have so many fond memories including Mary and I staying at his place whenever we'd visit Louisville. He hosted many parties for us, especially memorable the last one for Ed Hinson. He was a truly nice man and wonderful clarinetist and I will always treasure our performance of L'Histoire along with several other friends from the L. O.
September 22, 2013
Thomas Blomster
Michael was both a supreme musician and a caring friend. He was a great support for me during my years as a student and LO member in Louisville. Peace be with you, my friend!
September 22, 2013
Tim Baker
Mike was a great guy and wonderful musician. He will be missed.
September 22, 2013
Roger Soren
Mike was Principal Clarinet of the LO when I joined in 1989. He was always nice to me and everyone who he encountered. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
September 22, 2013
Melody Welsh
I remember Mike from days gone by with the Louisville Orchestra. A sincere man, kind to all, gentle to the core.
September 22, 2013
Chad Stoltenberg
So sorry to here this. Mike was a good friend I remember from my time in KY. He will be greatly missed for his quirky sense of humor and quick smile.
September 22, 2013
Sandie Roush
He was a very talented man and a wonderful friend and companion to Elisa Taylor. He will be missed. God Speed Michael.
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