Beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend. He grew up in Wauwatosa, but spent 18 years in Colorado, only returning home for the final month of his life. A graduate of Colorado University-Boulder, he held a degree in Environmental Design and was working as an architect and an award-winning watercolor artist when he was diagnosed with heart failure at age 30. Four years later, he suffered a debilitating stroke.

For three years, he could not speak. It was only through the intensive therapy he received from Craig Hospital in Denver and the CHAT program that he was able to rebuild his communication skills. In the final year of his life, he developed an app called Simple Speech that will help others who are struggling to regain speech after a traumatic brain injury. It is in the process of being published and will be his legacy. He was a great believer in helping others.

The Red Rocks Amphitheater was his favorite place to be, and he could reliably be found in the front row, soaking up all that music had to offer. As a result of his stroke, Michael had chromesthesia, a rare condition that caused him to see colors when he heard music. As such, music was his sanctuary. He was able to continue his art by painting what he saw when he heard music.

Michael left this world peacefully and on his own terms. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends who traveled far and wide to help him fulfill his last wish, one final Brewer’s game together. A celebration of his life will be held in Colorado, the place he considered home, sometime this summer. The concert schedule at Red Rocks will need to be consulted.

Michael will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of music, and his art. He was loved beyond measure and is survived by his parents Michael E Hassett, Lori (Rasmussen) Hassett, his sister Megan (Joseph) Young, his beloved nieces Madison and Sophie Young, his nephew Joey Young, and his devoted companion and service dog, Maddy, along with a wealth of good friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CHAT program scholarship fund at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado