WSOP Winner Mike "Little Man" Sica Passes Away Aged 69

This week, the poker community learned the sad news that poker professional and WSOP bracelet winner Mike “Little Man” Sica passed away aged 69.
The retired teacher and long-time poker enthusiast lived in northern New Jersey and amassed a total of $1,324,577 since cashing in at his first live tournament back in 2004. That was also the year that “Little Man,” a nickname given on account of his small stature, took down the WSOP $3,000 NL event for $503,160. As the papers reported at the time:
“Mike Sica did something truly extraordinary. He won the largest prize pool ever for the non-main event. In the 35-year history of the World Series of Poker, no event beyond the $10,000 buy-in world championship has ever awarded so much in prize money. A staggering figure – nearly $1.8 million – was split between the top 63 finishers. Standing alone at the top of the money list was Sica – who was thrilled to win his first gold bracelet.”
Much admired for his poker skills, Michael “Little Man” Sica was also one of the most popular and respected people on the poker circuit, with an overly kind personality and extremely big heart. In addition, Sica really stood out in the crowd, sporting as he did his colorful trademark jumpsuit, a hat reading “Little Man,” and always chomping on a toothpick.
Earlier this year, Mike Sica broke the news of his cancer when he wrote: “I had come back from playing at the Borgata and had a bad pain in my neck. After the doctors ran some tests, they told me it was cancer..Don’t start smoking..So to the younger players out there, I say do yourself a favor and quit now.”
Following the sad news of his death, tributes and condolences have come flooding in from the poker community, and here are some of those messages:
Shannon Shorr
“Saddened by Mike Sica’s passing. Had pleasure of meeting “Little Man” right when I entered poker. He was always genuine and will be missed.”
Matt Stout
“In honor of Mike Sica I think we should all chomp on toothpicks and only play QQ+ and AK in the next @BorgataPoker main event.”
Allen Kessler
“Rest in peace Mike “little man” Sica. Another great loss for the poker world. Hope @TabDuchateau can honor his passing @BorgataPoker”
Cliff (JohnnyBax) Josephy
“Chomping on a toothpick in honor of Mike Littleman Sica, one of the nicest guys ever #RIPmyfriend”
Christian Harder
“RIP Mike “Little Man” Sica. No exaggeration– one of the nicest, friendliest, and enjoyable guys I have ever played poker with.”
Vinny Pahuja
“Besides his stature, there was nothing little about Mike Sica. Big smile, big personality, but most importantly he had the biggest heart RIP”
Jason Somerville
“Mike Sica may have been the nicest guy I’ve ever met. always had a smile on his face and carried an amazingly infectious joy about him. RIP.”
Ronnie Bardah
“Just heard terrible news that Lil man Mike Sica just passed.I love that guy .My heart hurts really bad. RIP mike.See you on the other side”
Bernard Lee
“Just heard that Mike “LittleMan” Sica passed away. For yrs, saw him in AC, Foxwoods & Wsop. Always happy & a gentleman. #WillBeMissed #fb”