In Memory of Erez: Support for Mike Powell

Late in May we received word that our friend Erez was gone. Like many of you reading this, my family was devastated. Just a few days prior my husband and I had been chatting with Erez about the best spots in the East Bay to have brunch. In the days following his death it was posted that Erez’s wishes included no memorial service of any kind. He was trying to make things as “easy” as possible for the husband he loved and he also hated all organized religion.

Mike, Erez’s surviving husband, seen here in their wedding day photo, has worked really hard to honor Erez’s final wishes. We are making an effort to honor them as well. In Erez’s memory we are creating a memorial fund via this page. The beneficiary is his surviving husband, Mike Powell. The goal is to raise at minimum $10,000.

Losing a life partner is devastating. It is also expensive. Cremation alone is costly. For Mike, he not only lost his partner but he was not able to keep his home. The cost of housing in the Bay Area is high and without someone to share the load with, staying in California was not an option. Mike needed to move out of state. At the end of July he made his way to Nevada. There were costs associated with moving as well as end of life expenses. For now, Mike’s job in San Francisco has allowed him to work fully remote. He would really like to move back to the Bay Area at some point. At the moment, he’s settling in to a new rhythm.

The funds raised here will help Mike pay off some bills and give him some much needed breathing room. He has a life to rebuild and that is made a little less complicated with financial support.

We would also like to invite all of you who loved Erez to a backyard potluck afternoon get-together at our home in San Leandro on Saturday, October 5th. While Erez didn’t want a service of any sort, he left behind a whole bunch of lovely friends and acquaintances who are grieving. Our family cannot heal your hearts and bring our mutual friend back but we can offer a place to gather, to remember him and share our stories. We can offer hugs and good food. Full disclosure, Mike knows about the get together and I have told him I don’t expect him to travel for it. Grief is a beast and one never knows one day to the next what the heart and spirit are up for.

It was an honor to have known and loved Erez. It is now our privilege to care for Mike and Erez’s extended circle in a way that feels appropriate. We would like to offer a safe space for us to come together. This link will send you to the invitation for a backyard gathering in October. Please come. Please come as you feel most comfortable.

I would like to personally thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. This means a great deal to Mike.

With gratitude,

Gloria Strohm