Michael Brown, Suffolk college student, dies at 21

Michael Brown had that fighting spirit, that intangible but heartfelt drive to succeed despite the odds or score. On the basketball court he loved and in the game of life, he was the one on the underdog's side who didn't give up or let loved ones quit.

Relatives said the ever-reassuring voice of the 21-year-old Greenport man bubbled with optimism even when friends, relatives, teammates or co-workers failed to see the bright side of things.

"If someone had a bad day, Michael would pick them up and give them words of encouragement and keep them going," said Sheena Welch, 23, a cousin. "He was so positive that most people would look to Michael for inspiration and hope."

Known Greenport-wide, he was seemingly everyone's good luck charm and motivational speaker in one.

But he died Tuesday when a Suffolk Transit bus collided with his car at county roads 63 and 51 as he drove in Riverside, police said. No one has been charged in the case, which is under investigation.

Brown, who had cerebral palsy, knew a thing or two about perseverance. He endured six surgeries to help him walk, and he did so proving many naysayers wrong.

That ailment may have kept him from fulfilling his dream of playing like the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, his favorite player, but nothing could stop Brown from being on a basketball court. He was the bookkeeper for the Greenport High School basketball team, documenting players' performance as a dress rehearsal for his future job as manager of a sports team.

He was born in Brooklyn, raised in Greenport and attended its public schools.

Brown reached a personal milestone at his 2008 graduation from Greenport High: He walked across the stage to receive his diploma, proudly, and embark on his next challenge and opportunity - college. It was a moment his family, friends and the whole school shared.

"His biggest thing was to walk across the stage for his graduation - and that's exactly what he did, which showed how determined he was," Welch said.

Welch said Brown embraced Suffolk County Community College, which brought new friends and experiences every day. Brown used an array of gadgets to keep in contact with new and old acquaintances.

"Mike loved talking on the phone as well as text-messaging, and he really loved Facebook," Welch said.

He had just begun working as a clerk at Maximum Performance in Greenport, a medical office where he was being treated by a physical therapist. "That was his first real job," Welch said.

Visiting is today at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church in Greenport.