HOULTON, Maine — An alum of Ricker College recently visited southern Aroostook County to get a first-hand look at the Ricker Collection at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum and the Ricker Room at the Aroostook Historical Museum.
Michael Brigati, an author who now resides in Virginia, returned to Houlton in late August to visit the two sites. He was also hoping to visit with Gene Kilpatrick, a resident in town who had been one of his college instructors.
Brigati has been a supporter of the Ricker College alumni for many years, having donated a copy of “Fire Thieves” for one of the door prizes for the Ricker Reunion held in 2018.
A native of New Jersey, Brigati found his way to Ricker College in 1970. It wasn’t the route he had planned, but a friend, Glen Kenney, told him about his acceptance at a small private college in northern Maine. So instead of heading to the University of Hawaii’s school of oceanography he came north to Houlton. His plan was to stay two years and transfer to Hawaii in his junior year, but Aroostook County cast its spell on him and he stayed all four years.
“There’s a certain something that took hold of me — the woods, the coast, Katahdin and along with the close-knit fabric of small-town college life, where everyone knew everyone else,” he said.
Brigati added that Houlton, as isolated as it was, stood proudly against the elements and seeded that strength in him. Walking through the town he became familiar with life in the north and to this day he returns to Maine to be close to the Earth and smell the pines and enjoy the unsurpassed foliage of Autumn.
While at Ricker, he earned two degrees, one in psychology and the other in sociology. He also loved sports and played both soccer and hockey for the Ricker Bulldogs. His athleticism continues today, having hiked in all 50 states.
After Ricker he went on to Virginia State University for counseling psychology graduate studies. He attributes Kilpatrick as a guiding factor in his career.
With his degree in hand, Brigati became a nationally registered paramedic and advanced rescue diver with the Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Department in Virginia. He also served as a peer crisis counselor and debriefer for emergency services personnel. His career spanned 25 years and because of his distinguished reputation was honored to be a presenter at the highly esteemed World Congress for critical incident stress.
During his time as a firefighter, he started writing a book, but before it was finished, he tragically lost his 22-year-old son Matthew in a car accident. His son had planned to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Brigati’s heartbreak led to the donation of six of his son’s organs and through that experience there was light for those who were in need.
Brigati’s writing ended for a time after that dark day. Then three years later his writing for fun became writing with a vengeance, all encouraged by his daughter, Kristen.
In 2015 he finished his first novel, “Fire Thieves,” a murder mystery that goes through the story of a chemical plant fire and takes its readers through to the end when they find out what really happened.
Since then, his book has been picked up across the United States and in other countries. He chose to keep the book rights and not sign with a publisher, therefore controlling the proceeds. Currently he has signed an option with an executive producer in Hollywood in the hopes of landing a movie deal to bring “Fire Thieves” to the big screen.
Today he travels the country speaking and promoting the novel. Brigati donates the proceeds of his book and offers to speak at a variety of charitable benefits to help other groups, most centering around fire and rescue teams.
“No group is too small, said Brigati. “I am not too good for any type of appearance, presentation or visit, having gone to small town fire stations, local community clubs and other events when funds are raised for that specific organization.”
To date he has donated more than $30,000 in goods, money and services to more than a dozen charities. He was selected by the world-wide association of Firefighter-Motorcycle enthusiasts as their Man of the Year for his philanthropic work.
Brigati is working on his second novel, entitled, “13 Divided by One”, out sometime in 2022. His current novel is available at Books A Million and on Amazon.
