Mike Shain OBITUARY
Shain, Mike, (Myron Daniel Shain), quietly and comfortably passed away on May 5, 2008 in University Medical Center Hospice in Tamarac, Florida. Born July 11, 1925 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to the late Mark Shain and Rose Weis, Mike was blessed with a large, wonderful, and loving family. Preceded in passing by sisters, Esther Herman and Gloria Shayne Regney Baker, and survived by loving wife and life partner, Carol; son, David and his wife, Janna; sister, Thelma Weisfield; half-sisters Linda, Aida, and Etta; former daughter-in-law, Susan Shain; nine grandchildren: Nicole, Melanie, Sarah, Rachel, Jennica, Michaele, Hannah, Grace, and Rebekah; and numerous other loving and generous family members. Mike was a member of practically every professional music association there is, having had a very long and varied career in the music industry as an Arranger, Composer, Conductor, Studio Engineer, Trumpet and Keyboard Player (studio and club-dates), and Independent Music Producer. Mike had lived in Massachusetts, New York, and Florida. In his vocation, Mike toured America and other countries playing and arranging for many of the most well-known top Latin, Jazz, Swing, and Big-Band performers; ran two audio recording studios in New York; played many thousands of “gigs”; worked with and for several Broadway show production/pre-production, and show-bands; collaborated with countless Composers and Artists; was involved in 1964’s presidential campaign/inauguration; helped in the development of technology with Robert Moog for the music industry; and worked toward enhancing musical appreciation and charitable contributions to developing Artists. Mike’s rich career lasted over 67 years, and he was well-known and received, having at sometime been given the moniker of “the musician’s musician”. Utilizing his talents, Mike has worked with and for Carol King, Neil Sedaka, Jay & The Americans, The Turtles, The Buckinghams, Jerry Herman, Valerie Simpson, Weil & Mann, Burt Bacharach, Barry Manilow, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Buddy DeFranco, Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Boyd Raeburn, Russ Morgan, Jerry Wald, Ina Rae Hutton, Tito Puente, Perez Prado, Tito Rodriguez, Grey Gordon, Johnny Morris, Carl “Doc” Severinsen, and hundreds of other Artists. Mike started big-band performances locally for Broward County residents by arranging and conducting at the Northwest Focal Point Senior Center sometime in the early 1990s. Performances have grown since that time into 10 different bands. Mike also joined the Coral Springs Symphony in 1990, since renamed the Sy Sugar Pops Symphony Orchestra, and performed with them playing trumpet for about 15 years. Mike truly lived for the two loves of his life, and devoted himself ardently to each, first, to his loving wife and true soul-mate of over 53 years; and next, to developing and sharing his art and talents with the world. Mike’s passion was to touch us all with “the universal language of the soul”, music. A Memorial Service will be planned toward the end of May or beginning of June, 2008. As projected turn-out is unknown, please indicate to the family your interest of attendance by emailing daveshain@yahoo.com with the subject line “Mike Shain – Add Me”, and you will be sent information when arrangements have been formalized. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for further donation to charitable and musical development causes in Mike’s behalf, and may be sent to Carol Shain, 1120 N.W. 84th Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33071. Condolences may be shared at www.legacy.com.
