‘Remembering Mike’ (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Dear Forum,

I was shocked to hear of the death of our good friend Michael Hall who with his beloved wife Myszka founded ‘SIERRA TOY SOLDIERS’.

All of us at King & Country had known and worked with SIERRA and Mike & Myszka for many years all the way back to the old ‘West Coaster Show’ days in the 1990s.

During that time as Mike and Myszka built up their business to become a major dealer and retailer in the hobby I was fortunate to work closely with them on the ‘SIERRA K&C EVENING’ at the West Coaster and later at the ‘Special Saturday Events’ at their fantastic store in Los Gatos for over 10 years.

Those Los Gatos weekends were amazing, they always took place the week before Chicago when myself and often my late brother Gordon would arrive at San Francisco Airport on the Friday. Mike would pick us up and then drive to Los Gatos where Myszka would join us for dinner.

All day Saturday would be spent in the store located right in the heart of Main Street, Los Gatos where we would meet with a big bunch of Sierra’s collector base before doing a little toy soldier talk and the usual ‘Q&A’ afterwards… A whole lot of fun!

On the Sunday, Mike & Myszka would take Gordon and myself to one of a dozen great destinations around that part of California.

One time we visited Alcatraz… another visit was to beautiful Big Sur… yet one more was to the incredible Carmel-By-The-Sea… Our last visit, a few years ago, was to see and climb aboard a B29 Bomber that flew into a nearby airport. You never knew where Mike would drive to… So these Sunday ‘Magical Mystery Tours’ were very special.

One of the most exciting and interesting was Mike’s tour with Gordon and me attached to the Jacques Littlefield Collection.

At that time Jacques possessed the largest, most extensive private collection WW2 armour in the world – more than 300 different types including no less than 9 different Sherman tanks alone and all kinds or rare German tracked vehicles. In his workshop was a rare Panther tank actually being rebuilt!

Thanks to Mike, Jacques himself guided us all around his amazing collection for several hours allowing us to climb up on several of the collection.

Mike, like most of us, was a man of strong opinions and didn’t mind sharing them. We didn’t always agree but we could still have fun arguing and could always remain friendly.

Along with Myszka he built SIERRA into a major force in California and beyond and had fun doing it.

His passing will be a huge loss to his family, especially Myszka and to this hobby of ours.

Although Mike is now gone the fond memories of many happy times with him remains. Our sincerest condolences to Myszka, the family and all his many friends,

Andy & All at King & Country

 

[hoogri]

I wish the family and employees a lot of strength

rtichard

 

[Mike97]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike & Myszka several years ago while in the area and loved the shop. Great people to deal with.
Sorry to hear the news.

 

[tmanthegreat]

Mike was one of the greats in the U.S. toy soldier hobby. I bought items from his store on multiple occasions. Although I live in the same state, I never got the opportunity to go up and visit their shop… Hopefully the business will be able to continue with his passing.

 

[HAWKEYE]

SORRY TO HERE ABOUT MIKE'S PASSING, I ALWAYS ENJOYED VISITING HIS ROOM AT THE CHICAGO SHOW. HE ALWAYS HAD A GOOD STORY AND MYSZKA WAS ALWAYS VERY NICE. RIP MIKE

 

[jason foote]

Oh thats so sad. My condolences to the family. I was fortunate enough to visit the old store twice and meet Mike. What a beautiful thing he had created. The shop was fantastic and so was the neighbourhood. I hope the family to continue running the business or that someone can step in and take over as its a gem in the toy soldier world.

 

[Ivanhoe]

Sorry to hear of this sad news, used to see Mike & Myszka at OTSN most years.
Was not able to ever visit their shop, but I seem to recall them taking some pride in their displays.
Mike was extremely helpful in my purchases from them, including a Conte Viking Ship, which I still treasure.
The hobby will miss him.

 

[Desertkiwi]

Its actually very upsetting to learn of Mikes passing. They were the first folks I ever purchased from in the US many moons ago. Mostly Conte and other TS bits and pieces. Always helpful and friendly. My thoughts are with Myszka and family........

 

[Panzer ace]

I have known Mike and Myszka for over 22 years.

I first met him Mike on a Thursday night at their original shop in Los Gatos. I went back the following Friday and Saturday.

I went to that shop every Saturday for years with Mike there waiting for me each time. We spent hours together talking toy soldiers and life in general.

I followed them to their new location in downtown Los Gatos. When they opened that shop they asked me to be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony. I pushed back saying I did not deserve such an honor. Mike took me aside and told me that there was no one more appropriate or deserving than me.

For lack of a better way to put it over the past 22 years Sierra became my local pub/bar and Mike was my bartender.

I will miss his support, his sense of humor, his innate ability to listen and his ridiculous toy soldier knowledge.

He was many things to many people. He sold me toy soldiers and brought me into this hobby, most of all he was a friend.

RIP Mike.

 

[Vercingetorix Barca]

Like many of of you I was shocked and saddened by Mikes passing…Yesterday I was excited as it was Friday and I was going to stop by Sierra, pick up a few orders, grab some In N Out and get ready for the weekend..As I entered the store, I was absolutely flabbergasted at the news told to me by their employees, Nick and Alex. It was a gut punch I was not expecting….

While I havent known Mike as long as many of you..I got to know Mike, Myszka and the team over the past 8 years as Sierra became a regular stop for me every few weeks. Sometimes to buy, other times to talk or look at their wonderful displays. Mike was always so great to talk with as he was full of information, engaging and funny. I would had never guessed he was sick or hurting.

I send Myszka, the family and the team at Sierra my heartfelt condolences. Mike and Sierra will be missed in the toy soldier community like so many others but I believe his spirit will remain. I will be able to look at many of my pieces for years to come and know they were the bridge to bringing me so much happiness. If you get the opportunity, check out their store full of wonderful dioramas, figures or just stop in give some much needed love to their team.

RIP Mike

 

[Louis Badolato]

Another friend gone. My sincere condolences to the Hall family and all of his friends and loved ones.

 

[Jock]

Condolences to the Hall family on your loss.

 

[damian]

Never met Mike, but dealt with him over the internet.
Great gentleman and a his passing is a loss.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

I had spoke to Mike a few times over the phone. He was always very courteous. My condolences to Myszka and family.

 

[Running-Buddy]

So sad to hear of another industry Giant gone from the TS collector world. With prayers I hope his soul is now in a restful place and that his loyal team is in a position to carry on the Sierra legacy for many years to come. Mike thanks for all you did for our hobby.

Howard

 

[NZGary]

OMG so sad. My condolences to Mike's family and friends. Ordered from Mike many times while in the UK, NZ and Tasmania. Last order was only just before Christmas where we had friendly correspondence and banter.

Of all the dealers Mike really helped me turn my hobby into a lifetime passion.
.
RIP Mike.

 

[spartan71]

I am sorry to hear this, I bought most of my KC collection at their store, I always looked forward to visiting, and has been there a few times when Andy was visiting, Mishka introduced me to Andy the first time I went. The Store they had, before the new one was a great store!!, I haven't visited the new one, but it I know will be as great as that one.. My deepest Condolences....