Michael Joseph Hainley

Born in 1950, the second of Phil and Genevieve Hainley's ten children, Mike grew up in the Sellwood neighborhood. While attending Mt. Angel Seminary for high school and college he met his life-long friend and eventual brother-in-law, Don LeBlanc.

He met Mary Gress while she was visiting the tree farm he and Don had bought; they married in 1978 and moved to Estacada and eventually West Linn.

Together, they had seven children and ate dessert every night. Mike never wasted vacation days. He went backpacking with his father-in-law, John Gress, and Mary organized family camping trips to State and National Parks, while Mike drove the Vanagon or his big green truck filled with bikes and pilling the tent trailer.

Never one to worry too much about details, he trusted in the abundance of the Holy Spirit's gifts. When something didn't work out, it was merely the 'Cost of an Education." Prayer was central to Mike's life. He read Scripture daily and participated in Bible studies. He gave generously of his time and talent throughout his life.

As a dad and grandpa, Mike showed his seven kids and all his grandkids the value of showing up, whether for an honest day's work, a choir practice, a Sunday Mass, or family party. He coached youth soccer and basketball, wired and insulated homes, rototilled gardens, poured candles, and gave the BEST hugs. He loved gatherings, and more often than not, he was the last to leave. Events in life revolved around celebrations and celebrations were always about family and community; from Friday Happy Hours to holiday meals, to summer pie parties.

Mike was always doing something: in his twenties, he bought a 60 acre tree farm outside of Estacada with his best friend and spent the next fifty years stewarding the land-milling lumber, stacking firewood, planting trees. Even after fire burned the land this past year, he organized planting crews and drove his tractor, clearing space for new growth. After he retired, he took up beekeeping and gardening and taking grandkids on tractor rides.

He made us all better people and we miss him so much. Still, we are grateful for all the days we had with him and all the gifts his life continues to give.