In Loving Memory

Michael’s Story

At the age of 24, our son Michael, a senior at Michigan State University with less than 2 months to go to graduate, attended class on campus that finished at 7 pm. Michael was pursuing a degree in Human Resources with the ultimate goal of moving into Finance. Less than 4 hours later, Michael lost his life due to a series of events that were triggered by taking unprescribed amphetamine and benzodiazepines.

Michael was introduced to Adderall at the age of 20 as a means to stay up late and be focused to study for classes at MSU. Ultimately, this led to other substances that were major contributors to the development of severe anxiety and depression. It is important to note that these substances were easily attainable throughout the campus. The technical term for what Mike suffered from is called Substance Use Disorder and he was not and is not alone in this battle as this disease impacts thousands of young adults across the country.

Michael was a very passionate individual throughout his entire life and graduated High School without issue. As a child, he loved sports – specifically basketball and football. He watched games whenever he could even if it was not the Pistons, MSU Spartans, or Detroit Lions, and also was an avid sports card collector. Michael was the ultimate sports fan, watching Sports Center every morning beginning in the 1st grade, and sharing stats and highlights with his friends and even teachers.

From the age of 6 years old, through his time at Michigan State University, he never missed a football game and tailgate. We had season tickets with friends and attending the tailgate and pre-game festivities was one of his very favorite things to do. Even in bad weather he would not want to miss the event. Over and above football games, Mike was a Spartan through and through and loved all parts Michigan State University!

Michael was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. He loved his family, especially his mother and was extremely close with his siblings Amanda and Jacob. There were specific things he enjoyed doing with each of his siblings – shopping and late night trips to Dunkin Donuts for coffee with Amanda and watching/attending sporting events and playing X-Box with Jacob. He also had a very special bond with his grandma “Grandma Rench”.  Mike would attend church with grandma, talk on the phone multiple times a week, and spend as much time as he could with his grandmother as the two of them grew closer and closer as each year passed.

Edward and Tina, along with Amanda and Jacob established the Michael Maga Foundation in 2021 to honor their son and brother. The goal of the foundation is to provide assistance and resources for young adults up to age 25 who are struggling with Substance Use Disorder. To date, we have donated money to the Children’s Foundation that provides unlimited out-patient treatment to young adults without cost, the Collegiate Recovery Programs upheld by MSU, UofM, Central Michigan and more. In the near future, we intend to donate funds for scholarships at the local high schools in our community – Hartland, Brighton, and Howell – for students planning on studying Mental Health.