At the Whitman Baltimore Summer Expo this year, dealers learned the sad news of the passing of Mike Lessane, who helped with expo setup and dealer move-in and move-out for most of the last decade.

Mike was on his porch in Southwest Baltimore when a gunman opened fire, killing Mike and injuring five others. He was 53 years of age.

Whitman Expo accepted donations to assist Mike’s family with burial and other expenses, and the reaction was overwhelming.

Sadly, Mike’s killer is still at large, but dealers, Whitman Staff and vendors gave more than $11,500 to assist the Lessane family.

On Friday, November 18, Mike’s mother, Mrs. Geraldine Lessane, visited the expo to deliver a special message on behalf of Mike’s family and friends.“I just want to say ‘Thank You,’ from the bottom of my heart for all that you did."