It is with almost unbearable sadness that his family announces Mike’s passing from this life on Jan. 10, 2021.

Michael Alan Hay, or “Mike,” was the first of the 12 Hay children to be born in Seattle, Wash. That took place on Nov. 5, 1959, just three months after his mother, father and seven brothers and sisters moved to Seattle from South Bend, Ind., in a 1957 Chevrolet towing a U-Haul trailer. Four more Hay siblings were born after Mike. The Hays lived in Montlake, at the foot of Capitol Hill, and were all active participants in the “Hiller” experience.

Mike was a respected athlete throughout grade school and high school. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Seattle Preparatory High School (Matteo Ricci program). There was no sport he did not excel at; he was a natural. He was an exceptional soccer player.

A redhead with a redhead’s temper, Mike was always passionate about his beliefs, especially his Catholicism. He was proud — and humbled — to perform the duties of deacon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville, Wash., until the day that the novel coronavirus closed the church to services.

Mike helped people. He helped many, many of his fellow parishioners with house and yard work over the years he lived on Whidbey Island. He volunteered for years at the Careage rest and rehabilitation home, where he was famous for calling bingo each week.

Mike was especially popular with his nieces and nephews, most notably, perhaps, with his sister Mary’s children, Zachary and Ariel, and his sister Angela’s daughter Rachel.

He is survived by 32 nieces and nephews and 10 of his brothers and sisters: Greg (Linda), Mark, Judy (Frank), Kathy (David (d)), Toni (Gerald (d)), Barbara (Jim), Christopher (April (d)), Jeff, Mary, and Patrick (Damaris). His sister Angela predeceased him.

Mike will live on in the memories, many and vivid, both personal and shared, that his family will always have of him.

Whidbey Memorial Funeral Home has a full obituary posted along with pictures and more memorials.

The family requests that any financial donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 207 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA 98239, in Mike’s name.