I’m going to admit that I’m unable to write a traditional introduction in memorial to my friend Michael Peggs. He was far too dimensional to be described in just one paragraph.
And as there are dozens of memorable stories I could tell about him, all of which detail how smart, funny, and unique he was, I’d like to stick to just one.
It was my junior year at Cortland and I was in Rose’s apartment as usual. I’ve forgotten exactly what I was discussing with Peggs, but he started to state some facts that were from a biography about Ty Cobb.
Because I knew Peggs wasn’t the biggest fan of Major League Baseball, and because baseball history is a hobby of mine, I called him out on this.
I said, “Peggs, you don’t like baseball. What are you reading about Ty Cobb for?”
He looked at me defiantly.
He said, “Because – I like to read. I want to gain knowledge. It’s important to me.”
It was in that moment I knew that I had missed the point. Michael Peggs was one of the few people in this world who sought after knowledge regardless of the subject matter.
Ever since that conversation there was not a quality of Michael’s that I admired more than his intellect.
It was Michael’s pursuit for truth and knowledge that led to his commitment to social justice. And I can say – with full certainty – that I would not be where I am today if I had not known Michael.
It was a few years back now, in a tiny apartment in Cortland, New York that Rose Donnelly convinced me to work for advocacy because she assured me that I’d be working with my friend, Michael Peggs.
As I recognize and accept this tragic loss I just have to say, “Thank you. Thank you for inspiring me with your wisdom. Thank you for being so funny that I still laugh out loud at your jokes. And more than anything else thank you so much Michael Peggs, for leading me in the direction that I’m in today. Your quest for truth, knowledge, and social justice lives on in every one of us, and we will never forget you.”
Rest in peace Michael Peggs
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