The Snarkster, RIP
I’d have to go back in to our archives and check, but when I started this site in the spring of 2004, I believe commenter #2 was a guy who went by the name of “snarkster.” He showed up frequently, handled liberal detractors with aplomb, and made us laugh a lot.
It turned out his name was Michael Ware, and he was from my hometown of Meridian, Mississippi. He was a good bit older - he and my parents had mutual friends - but it was clear Michael had never lost his youthful, rebellious streak. A recovering hippie, he despised what hippies were doing to his church; but he channeled his frustration into some of the funniest, most skewering comments this site has ever seen, and there have been over half a million of them in the eight-plus years we’ve been doing this.
Michael was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, and I received an email from him quite humbly asking if I “knew a priest” here in Jackson who might be able to visit him at the hospital before exploratory surgery. Michael was expecting somebody with a collar - a stranger - who might be bothered to drive a few blocks to the hospital, but I showed up with none other than The Rev. George Woodliff, founder and president of Stand Firm and someone Michael greatly admired. We prayed with Michael in the waiting room, and sat with him for an hour or so talking about the good, the bad, the funny, and the sad; life, death, the church, and God.
Michael lost his battle with cancer Saturday, and the world is a poorer place for it.
This is Michael, in the middle, circa 1978. I thought a long time about which photo to use for this post, and finally settled on this one. There were many to choose from - Michael hanging out with his friend Chris Ethridge, who later went on to play bass guitar for Gram Parsons in The Flying Burrito Brothers… Michael sitting on a couch in front a giant American flag in 1974 with all his hippie buddies… Michael young and smiling his ridiculously broad smile… Michael old and frail, his face showing the ravages of cancer and treatment…. but this one just seemed to capture the snarkster I had grown to know and love.
You will be missed, my friend.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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36 comments
I am deeply saddened to know that our world no long holds The Snarkster, Michael Ware. What a great commenter and friend he was—full of fun, and jokes, and snarking too.
I am sick to hear of this. Time is too short to be with friends and family, bloggers and blogging commenters.
Thank you, Michael, for your friendship here; we were honored.
I’ll see you by and by—we’ll all be together experiencing Anglican worship someday at its very best.
[1] Posted by Sarah on 10-9-2012 at 11:05 AM · [top]
Thank you for celebrating him here on SF - that’s a wake he will appreciate!
[2] Posted by Timothy Fountain on 10-9-2012 at 11:07 AM · [top]
May he rest in peace. He was a source of comfort and support during my semi-brief stay in Mississippi. His passing saddens me but I know he’s in a better place now.
[3] Posted by m+ on 10-9-2012 at 11:12 AM · [top]
Via con dios, amigo.
- Jay Eppinga
(aka, ‘Moot’)
[4] Posted by J Eppinga on 10-9-2012 at 11:31 AM · [top]
I used to see a comment by the Snarkster, Snarkmeister and so on with joy and trepidation, knowing that reading it would most likely leave me writhing on the floor laughing uncontrollably.
I just wanted to say with affection thanks be for the gift of Michael and his humor while we had him with us, and now he is is the joyful arms of the Saviour whom he served, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, including his many friends here on SF. Even now thinking of him brings a smile.
[5] Posted by Pageantmaster [KJS to Coventry] on 10-9-2012 at 12:17 PM · [top]
I came late to SF, but not too late to gain an immediate appreciation of and respect for The Snarkster. It is fitting that SF should pay tribute to the life of one who participated so fully and, yes, gracefully in the life of its community, and I join in the sentiments expressed. Dona servo tuo pacem aeternam, Domine Jesu Christe.
[6] Posted by A. S. Haley on 10-9-2012 at 12:44 PM · [top]
I too will miss the Snarkster. I always enjoyed his posts.
[7] Posted by Br. Michael on 10-9-2012 at 12:47 PM · [top]
I’ve been laughing to Michael’s comments here since 2004. He was a gem, and obviously a man of faith. He will be missed here, but I look forward to meeting him in person in the Church Triumphant.
[8] Posted by David Fischler on 10-9-2012 at 01:03 PM · [top]
Thank you for posting this remembrance. I too will miss the snarkster’s comments.
[9] Posted by Undergroundpewster on 10-9-2012 at 02:06 PM · [top]
On my. The world changes too quickly. Sad day (but joyful as well).
[10] Posted by iamaworm on 10-9-2012 at 03:33 PM · [top]
http://meridianstar.com/obituaries/x905909345/Michael-Eslie-Ware
[11] Posted by iamaworm on 10-9-2012 at 03:36 PM · [top]
When I began to look into the foolishness and heresy of TEC my first thought was to throw thunder and lightning bolts at the scoundrels who stole and destroyed my grandmother’s church. Soon I realized that the preverts and lawless at the top cared nothing what any of us thought. But the Snarkster had a more effective weapon. The pompous puffed up self agrandizing anointed ones could best be punctured by his pin of humor and truth and they would not like to be shown up for the buffones they were. He really had the gift, and he also gave hope and encouragment to those in the ditches defending orthodoxy. I always looked forward to his dishing it out. He was a secret weapon used by the Lord. I will miss him but not forget his ministry. I only wish I could have known him lide Greg and Bro. Woodruff. Won’t we have a jolly good time in eternity going over the battle. I think it was Luther or maybe Lewis who said Satan feared our prayers, but could not stand our laughing at him. Snarkster, be blessed and RIP
[12] Posted by PROPHET MICAIAH on 10-9-2012 at 06:17 PM · [top]
Now he is home.
[13] Posted by Jill Woodliff on 10-9-2012 at 07:45 PM · [top]
So so sorry to hear this.
[14] Posted by Anne Kennedy on 10-9-2012 at 08:53 PM · [top]
One of my favorite SF commenters ever. So sad to hear that he has gone on.
May he rest in peace.
[15] Posted by StayinAnglican on 10-9-2012 at 09:05 PM · [top]
What a sad day here on earth now that Snarkster has passed this mortal coil. I first met him at Stand Firm Louisiana and his comments never failed to brighten a cloudy day and he reminded us with his exquisite humor that while the battle was important, the ending has been foretold.
I am certain he is currently entertaining the saints around that banquet table. May they hold us in prayer as we struggle on.
You will be sorely missed. Until we meet again, my friend.
[16] Posted by Jackie on 10-9-2012 at 09:06 PM · [top]
He will be missed here below,
And awaits us in that bright world to which we go.
He went prepared.
May God so grant us all.
[17] Posted by dwstroudmd+ on 10-9-2012 at 09:29 PM · [top]
I only saw a few of his posts, but he will be missed. Could we post a “best of Snarkster” perhaps?
[18] Posted by MichaelA on 10-9-2012 at 09:44 PM · [top]
I came to SFiF around 2006 and Snarkster was always there in so many threads. He helped brighten the day as I came to grips with what was happening in my former church and as I transitioned into the Anglican world. RIP Michael.
[19] Posted by bob+ on 10-9-2012 at 09:52 PM · [top]
Rest in Peace.
[20] Posted by The Plantagenets on 10-9-2012 at 09:57 PM · [top]
I am very sorry to read this sad news. May Our Lord welcome Michael into His Kingdom and may his family find comfort in the Hope of Christ.
[21] Posted by Paula Loughlin on 10-9-2012 at 10:30 PM · [top]
If there were an intercom connecting all the wombs, then one baby would tell another, “I heard that old Bill passed on last night.”
[22] Posted by PROPHET MICAIAH on 10-9-2012 at 10:45 PM · [top]
I thought of the Snarkster a couple of weeks ago and wondered how he was doing. In hope, I prayed that God would return him to health and to his snarky ways. Today I learned that God’s answer to that prayer was “No.” We are diminished, but the heavenly choir is brightened by the addition of the Snarkster’s voice. I pray God’s peace to all who loved him. He will be sorely missed.
[23] Posted by Mathematicus on 10-9-2012 at 11:57 PM · [top]
Our sad loss is heaven’s gain, where I will again enjoy the Snarkmeister’s wit one day, in person. I wondered what that snorting and giggling was that I heard from the skies since Saturday.
[24] Posted by Milton on 10-10-2012 at 10:20 AM · [top]
I’m so sorry to read this. I remember Michael from the early days and always looked forward to his comments. He knew as well as anybody how to make a serious point with humor and style.
Behind the names on all of these comments are real people. In the midst of the give-and-take of debating what was happening to our church, that could, sadly, often be forgotten, but, with “The Snarkster,” I always knew there was a great story. Thanks, Greg, for sharing some of it with us.
Our loss is heaven’s gain, I trust and pray. May the Lord make Michael’s memory to be eternal.
[25] Posted by Phil on 10-10-2012 at 10:48 AM · [top]
I will miss his remarks. some offered me gentle correction and some supported me. He was funny.
[26] Posted by Fr. Dale on 10-10-2012 at 03:41 PM · [top]
Rest in Peace, friend Snarkster.
When I first encountered Stand Firm (2005 or 6, I think, I started reading months before I registered for my first comment), it was Snarkster’s sharp wit that drew me in and made me a regular reader. He burst my ego bubbles on occasion, too. He is irreplaceable on Stand Firm, but I pray that we never lose that sense of humor he introduced.
Perhaps we should inaugurate an annual Snarkster Memorial Award, for whatever comment produces the largest deflation in an Anglican ego.
[27] Posted by tjmcmahon on 10-10-2012 at 05:55 PM · [top]
May Michael rest in peace. Too soon, too soon gone.
[28] Posted by Katherine on 10-10-2012 at 06:53 PM · [top]
So sad to read of The Snarkster’s death. I had often wondered how he was doing. He was incredibly funny. I will miss that wit!!
The Episcopal Church also lost an great one this week. Mr. Eugene Noel “Nick” Zeigler, Jr. This former Chancellor of the Diocese of South Carolina died on Monday October 8th afternoon. I have mentioned Nick’s book here occasionally. In fact, I am off to his funeral. later.
[29] Posted by SC blu cat lady on 10-11-2012 at 12:37 PM · [top]
My condolences to The Snarkster and his family.
[30] Posted by the virginian on 10-11-2012 at 05:54 PM · [top]
I enjoyed The Snarkster’s comments, and am surprised it’s been so long since his last one.
I wonder what he said at the Pearly Gates?
[31] Posted by maineiac on 10-12-2012 at 09:23 AM · [top]
#27 TJ, LOL! What an award! The comment that caused the largest deflation in an Anglican ego. OUCH!
[32] Posted by SC blu cat lady on 10-12-2012 at 11:13 AM · [top]
Just saw this—such sad news. I remember the early days. Snarkster will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends on his passing.
[33] Posted by Summersnow on 10-12-2012 at 08:15 PM · [top]
AACK! I go away dealing with my own life issue and look what happens, you get hit with news like this!!
One of the most fun individuals I met through a set of ASCII characters on a screen, with a wit that I think made so many readers smile. Prayers for the Lord’s peace for family and friends who grieve today. Our loss is Heaven’s gain, this is just one more reason to look forward to joining that cloud of witnesses.
[34] Posted by Hosea6:6 on 10-14-2012 at 04:25 PM · [top]
May our Lord and Savior grant Michael swift admittance to His presence, and to his family and friends consolation at his loss in this world and hope for reunion with him in Christ’s presence in the life of the world to come. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
[35] Posted by Martial Artist on 10-14-2012 at 09:20 PM · [top]
May he rest in peace, and please accept an amen to your words…
[36] Posted by FrVan on 10-15-2012 at 01:47 PM · [top]
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