Dear Stacey, Jens and Julia,
I have known Mirko for most of my life and keep good memories of him. We played tennis together in out twenties and had great times for many years. Together we have experienced beautiful things on and off the tennis court. During that time, we also lived in the same apartment building in Heemskerk and spent many evenings together talking about life and enjoying a glass of wine. I remember him always being friendly and generous and having fun with his many friends.
Even though we spoke each other less in recent years, it immediately felt like the old days when we met in Heemskerk. It was always a pleasant surprise when he suddenly popped up from Stavanger. We will miss him dearly.
From the moment we heard that he was sick again, we followed closely how he was doing and always hoped for a positive outcome. We were shocked when we heard that he passed away that quickly. Our heart cries and realize that we lost a great friend way too early. Life can be so hard and unfair.
It is a great loss for you, Jens, Julia and his parents. Our thoughts are with you in this very sad time.
Det var leit å høre, kondolerer.
Tenker på dere♥️♥️♥️
Kjære Stacey, Nils og Julia, vi tenker masse på dere, kondulerer.
God varm klem fra Gro og Cato
Kjære Stacey og barna, vo tenker på dere, kondulere.
God varm klem fra Gro og Cato ❤
Vi tenker masse på dere, kondulere.
God varm klem til dere fra Gro og Cato ⚘⚘⚘❤
Vi tenker på dere. Kondolerer !
Mirko, it was so great to know you. Everytime I was in Stavanger, you showed me the beauty of your new country and we had always a good time.
This feels so unfair, you have fought until the last. My warmest thoughts and sincere condolences to Stacey and your beautiful children. You spoke with so much love and proud about your family, I wish them all the strenght in the world..
To me you were more than a colleague, you were a friend. I'd like to thank you for that. May you rest in peace.
It is a privilege for me to have been a part of Mirko’s professional life. Although much too short, his life was well lived! He was a determined, collaborative and caring person who loved life and all that it offered. Mirko’s contributions were powerful and his work ethic more than remarkable, his energy and commitment are all words that begin to capture my image of Mirko. He was one of kind and will be sorely missed, but never forgotten!
I give my warmest thoughts and sincere condolences to Stacey and their beautiful children Jens and Julia. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to experience such a huge loss.
Mirko, you will be dearly missed. Thank you for your kindness and inspiration. May your soul rest in peace.
Sender dere en stor god klem fra oss, tenker på dere ❤️
Mirko, you were the first Dutch person I met in Stavanger and I liked you straight away. ´Zo lekker gewoon´ as we say. Always up for a chat whenever I dropped by, I´ve always felt at ease around you.
I also remember so clearly the day during last summer you came by and told Andreas and I you were sick. You were so positive and I thought `Wow how can he bring just shitty news and still be smiling´. And even though every time I saw you after that you became a bit thinner and more grey every time, you always remained positive towards me and perhaps the rest of the world too. I knew you couldn´t possibly feel that way all the time, because let´s be honest - having cancer sucks big time - but I never saw you being down. I know you continued working and everything and I admire you for how you handled it all.
You´ve left behind two amazingly strong and kind children and dear Stacey who is going through everything like a champ. You are missed so much, but you won´t be forgotten so in a way you´re not gone. Wherever you are now...rest in peace or rock on dear Mirko, rock on.
Stacey my thoughts are with you all every day. Your message of the 26th, where you mentioned that he was just so tired in the end, reminds me of a Dutch poem by Toon Hermans that I want to leave with you. Love you my dear friend.
Sterven doe je niet ineens,
maar af en toe een beetje
en alle beetjes die je stierf,
’t is vreemd, maar die vergeet je,
het is je dikwijls zelfs ontgaan,
je zegt ik ben wat moe,
maar op een keer dan ben je aan
je laatste beetje toe.
I first met Mirko 3 years ago at my first annual meeting - we had lots in common due to his links with Scotland.
The news of Mirko's passing rings a very sad sound with us here in Scotland and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends at this sad time.
James Bain ( Control Union UK)
The phone call we had on December 14 th. was surreal and hit like a bomb. The weeks to follow were not enough to prepare for this big and sudden loss.
Mirko has been part of my professional life for more than 12 years, always willing to help out, both when working with Reym as Swire as customer and supplier. Since the start of our activities in Norway as actual colleagues. It has been a privilege to work together, I have enjoyed Mirko's insights, eagerness, optimism, determination and of course the always present humour. It was amazing how he was always focussed on the future during his battle with cancer, always ready for business.The evenings in Stavanger will be quiet. We will make sure his legacy within Control Union Industrial Inspections Norge is continued.
I cannot imagine the emptiness Mirko leaves behind with Stacey and the children, my thought go out to them.
Mirko and I grew up together in Heemskerk in The Netherlands, we lived in the same street, were brats around, he was my tennis companion for many years and we went to the same secondary schools - it was a close friendship for 20 years. After that period the contact diluted, although we spoke to each other and sent text messages on an irregular basis. Nevertheless: I always knew I could count on him if necessary, as he showed a couple of times.
In Norway Mirko built his new life and Stacey and in a later stage Jens and Julia enriched him. His passing away - after another ‘battle’ he approaches as optimistic as possible - saddened me. My heart cries.
My sincere condolences for Stacey, Jens, Julia, Marie-Louise, Leo, Claudia and all the others who had a close relationship with Mirko.
Mirko and I grew up together. We lived in the same street, come in all the time, were brats around, played tennis together and went to the same secondary schools. It was a close friendship during those years, and I was shocked when he got cancer as an teenager for the first time. At that time he showed his optimistic character.
The contact diluted the last 15 years, although we keep in touch by text messages on an irregular basis. So, I was still informed about the new life he built in Norway, and learned that Stacey and in a later stage Jens and Julia enriched him. That the putrid fever hits him again saddened me, despite his optimistic approach again, and my heart cries after his unfair death.
My sincere condolences to Stacey, Jens, Julia, Marie-Louise, Leo, Claudia and all the others who knew him and will miss him.
I met Mirko for the first time about 11 years ago when we became colleagues. It was a pleasure working with him experiencing the development of businesses, his humor and him always bringing something positive but most of all his drive to deliver the best. Bright, smart, gentle. It must be a great loss for Stacey, Jens and Julia and it is so sad you have to miss him this early. My sincere condolences.
Mirko was the sunshine in Stacey's life and I have a heavy heart about his passing.
I have so much to thank Mirko for;
Bringing my little sister so much happiness and love into her life.
Being such a faithful partner to Stacey - Mirko was deeply honest and direct.
Father of the coolest nephew and niece; Jens and Julia - who mean the world to me.
An open-minded, helpful and generous brother-in-law, friendly, smiling with a great sense of humor.
A wine connoisseur who enjoyed making home cooked dinners. I will miss you dearly!
Our hearts are broken by this sad news. My dear friend Stacey is a strong and loving person and Jens and Julia all don’t deserve this. Mirko was a fantastic man, father and friend and he will be missed by all of us. May he rest in peace.
The first time I met Mirko was in Amsterdam many years ago. He was very friendly and generous and the news of him passing is very sad and so unfair. He was far too young. I’m thinking of Stacey , Jens and Julia and their families at this very difficult time.
Det var med stor sorg vi mottok beskjed om at Mirko hadde gått bort, så altfor tidlig og til en nådeløs sykdom som han kjempet så tappert og lenge imot. Våre tanker går til Stacey som har mistet sin "soulmate" og Jens og Julia sin gode, omsorgsfulle og elskede pappa. Vi har ingen ord for hvor trist vi synes dette er men håper med tid at sårene gror og alle opplevelsene dere hadde sammen, blir gode minner å ta med videre.
Mirko was an old friend and good person with a beautyfull mind and deep love for Stacey and their kids.
Ik zal je missen man!
Corine
I am devastated by Mirko’s passing. He fought a long and brave battle, only to be taken from us much too early. Our love goes to Stacey, Jens and Julia in the hope that sadness will soon make way for fond memories of Mirko and happier times together. I will always remember Mirko with a sparkle in his eyes and a quick joke, ready to tease me. To Mirko’s parents and siblings, my deepest condolences to you all. To Stacey, my sister, my heart aches for you and I’m sending love and strength vibes across the ocean.
Life can be so cruel, Mirko was a lovely man we had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with. Our love and condolences to Stacey and the family also to all of Mirko’s family and friends. X
All my thoughts to Stacey and her 2 lovely children and all the family
Sincerely
Marin