- May 8, 2024
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April’s First Friday event will be held in memory of Mike ‘Bowler’ Cristello, 28, who recently died from skin cancer.
At 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 28-year-old Flagler Beach native Mike Cristello died from metastatic malignant melanoma.
A service was scheduled for March 9, at Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church, with a paddle-out memorial immediately following, during which his ashes were to be released in the ocean off 16th Street, a location Cristello requested, it being near his family home.
But through local initiatives, like the April 6 Melanoma Awareness First Friday event, Cristello’s memory lives on.
Initially planned for a treatment fundraiser, the city event is now being held in his memory to fund cancer research as well as surfing lessons for underprivileged youth. It will include a Shade Out Melanoma fashion show featuring local clothing shops, as well as an egg hunt, a flashlight egg hunt and music by Folkin’ Up the ’80s.
“The thing I’m really most proud of is we’ve got two dermatologists coming,” said Volunteer Carla Cline, who has lived in Flagler Beach for more than 30 years.
Dr. Bruce Paley, a Palm Coast resident practicing out of St. Augustine, and a doctor from Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetics Surgery in Palm Coast will be in attendance to answer questions and conduct light screenings.
Free sunscreen will also be given out by Beach 92.7 and Hawaiian Tropic. Cline said she envisions the melanoma event becoming an annual thing in Flagler Beach, the future proceeds of which could benefit scholarships for art and surfing, Cristello’s two passions.
“When you tie (First Friday) to a cause or a meaning, it makes it that much more special,” Cline said. “In my mind, it’s kind of more of a memorial. … When something terrible happens, how can you make it better?”
According to Cristello’s mother, Linda List, Cristello was diagnosed with skin cancer underneath his arm in November, right around his 28th birthday.
“He’d had it for a long time, and it just metastasized so quickly,” she said. “It went into his liver, his lungs and his bones.”
Cristello was a self-employed landscaper who also did tattoo work, liked to paint and draw (he made the sign for Burrito Works off State Road A1A) and was a sponsor for summer surf camps.
“He would do anything for anyone,” List said. “Just a very good-hearted, lovable, likeable, beautiful child. I always called him a kid even though he was 28. He was my baby.”
Because of his connection to surf camp, List wants a portion of the proceeds collected at First Friday to benefit low-income children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to attend.
“Anywhere I go in town, everybody knew him,” List added. “They knew him, or he touched someone, or he helped someone.”
That’s a legacy she wants to continue.
“What happened to Michael, we want to be sure to prevent in other kids,” she said. “Check yourself. Go to the screenings. … We want to try to do what we can to prevent another family going through what we’re going through.”
Until his final days, List was astonished at Cristello’s strength. Even after being told that he had just one week to live, she said, he didn’t break down. “He was more concerned how other people were going to be without him around.”
“I think he was ready and comfortable with himself as to whatever the outcome was,” List said. “He was smiling and winking. … It’s unbelievable how strong and caring — up until his last minute.”
