Community Celebrates Michael Telle

After her husband, Michael Telle, got sick with cancer of the head and neck and was no longer able to work, Mia Runanin found herself shocked and overwhelmed at the kindness of the community, who helped them get through it. Friends organized a Circle of Care to donate to the family, pitch in, and start an auction to help pay the bills.

That community is coming together one last time tonight, Nov. 18, in a benefit concert in honor of Telle, who passed away at the age of 58 on Sept. 22

“It’ll be a lovely event for everyone to get some closure,” said Runanin.

Telle was a popular musician and guitar teacher in Fairfax, where he and Runanin and their son, Ari, a student at , have lived for ten years. So, it’s no surprise that his memorial benefit concert will feature some of the best local musicians – all friends or students – donating their time and talents.

Organized by Jack Irving, tonight at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center at 7:30 p.m., musical guests include New Monsoon, Todd Pickering, Bobby McFerron, Carri Abrahms, Robert Powell, and Susie Davis.

Tickets are $20 before the event or $25 at the door. No one is turned away for lack of funds. And all the money goes to the family, who are still trying to recover from Telle’s five-year illness.

When he was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, the prognosis was very slim given his particular type of cancer. Telle and Runanin decided not to do any chemotherapy or radiation then, but simply focus on alternative forms of treatment, such as nutrition, and enjoy the time left.

“He had five more good years. He got to see our son get to high school,” said Runanin.

But because of the illness, Telle wasn’t able to take as many students or play as many shows. And, as the cancer progressed, Runanin, who is a Reiki teacher and counselor, wasn’t able to work either for the few months at the end of his life.

The community of friends and neighbors and musicians pitched in to help out.

“It’s been incredible,” said Runanin.

Maybe the response should have been no surprise, given how beloved Telle was in the community and how much both had given back to others.

The facebook page set up as a Circle of Care for Michael Telle has hundreds of fans and stories remembering the good times with him.

Hannah Doress, who is helping to organize the benefit concert, remembers a time her son’s bike was stolen and he was very upset. They didn’t have the money to replace it and so she asked around if anyone had a used bike. Telle, who Doress hadn’t met at the time, offered up his son’s old bike. And when it turned out to be too big, he took hacksaw and cut off part of the seat post before handing it over to its new owner.

Doress and many other students, friends, neighbors -- all part of that community -- are pitching in now, to remember Telle.

“Community is the insurance we don’t have,” said Runanin, noting that even their insurance “doesn’t cover everything.”

On the day that Telle passed away after a particularly hard period, Runanin posted a message on the facebook page, wanting to let people know what had happened and welcoming them to come say goodbye to him. She went on to post a follow-up, thinking of people’s feelings and not wanting anyone to be uncomfortable, noting that his body was in a separate room, so if friends didn’t want to see him they didn’t have to.

She closed the first note with this: “I celebrate today Michael's release from suffering. Please join me.“

Join her and the community tonight for a celebration of Telle’s life.

If you go:

Celebrating Michael Telle
Friday, Nov. 18, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
San Geronimo Valley Community Center
Tickets: $20 before the event, $25 at the door, $5 for kids under 18, free for kids under 12