ELLSWORTH – Michael J. Venema, 48, died unexpectedly Oct. 7, 2003. He was born Sept. 6, 1955, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Lee and Catherine (Weringa) Venema. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Kelly and Sherie Klynstra, of Rutherford, Tenn.; and two children, Stafford and Bronwen Venema of Ellsworth. Mike, as he was known, was passionate about U.S. history, antiques, cinema and Hollywood, and most of all his two beloved children, on whom he doted much affection. He was proud of Stafford’s inquisitiveness, sense of humor and artistic talents; and of Bronwen’s sweet nature, intelligence and dark-haired beauty. His interest in cinema and entertainment took him to Hollywood after attending college in Michigan and working briefly as a stand-up comedian in Chicago. He worked in radio syndication for Wolfman Jack Productions for two years before becoming an entertainment manager for such comedians as Louie Anderson, the late George Miller, impressionist Rich Little, Richard Jeni, Larry Miller and others too numerous to mention here. In 1987, after his marriage to Kathleen Rogers, the couple opened TVG Communications in Los Angeles, a public relations agency that handled a variety of accounts, from Rush Limbaugh to Liz Claiborne. The agency shifted its focus to the visual arts in 1990 and handled such artists as Dale Chihuly and Bertil Vallien. In 1998, the family moved from Los Angeles to Ellsworth, and shortly afterward, Mike and Kathleen divorced. Both continued to live in Ellsworth. Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the scholarship fund at All Saints Catholic School, P.O. Box 1749, Bangor, 04403; or to Birdsacre in Ellsworth, 667-8460. Services will be announced. Arrangements by Jordan Funeral Home, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
MICHAEL J. VENEMA
