April 30, 1960 ~ February 18, 2022
Michael Paul LaHaie, “Sparky” to all who knew and loved him, 61, of Sturgeon Bay, died Friday afternoon, February 18, 2022 at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay with his family at his side.
He was born April 30, 1960 in Cheboygan, MI, the son of Richard “Dick” Joseph LaHaie and Sharon “Shody” Sue Sova. Sparky grew up Catholic and initially attended Cheboygan Catholic High School before transferring to Cheboygan Area High School where he graduated with the class of 1978. Inspired by his father, Chief Engineer on the Great Lakes Freighters, he and fellow classmate and cousin, Rodney Ostwald, decided they were going to work in the shipyards and moved to Sturgeon Bay, WI where he worked most of his life. Sparky started working for Bay Shipbuilding Corporation in November of 1978 as a mechanic weldor and remained there for two years before going to work as a weldor for Peterson Builders, Inc. (PBI) in December of 1980. He was employed with PBI for six years before he went to work as a weldor for Palmer Johnson, Inc. in January of 1987. Sparky was a master weldor and one of a few who could (weld) with a mirror. In March of 2004, he went to work for ExacTech and remained there until February of 2006. Sparky attended Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College in Sturgeon Bay for blueprint reading and eventually taught welding there for over a year with his good friend, Doug “Tarz” Petersilka. Sparky returned to Palmer Johnson for a short time, before going to work for Olson Fabrication in Algoma, where he was currently employed. He was a hard worker all throughout his life; a 60-hour week was considered “easy” for him.
Sparky was blessed with two amazing daughters: Kristin and Michelle and was so proud of them. He raised them to be strong, independent, kind, and caring. Sparky became the biggest cheerleader for their children (his grandchildren). His family meant the world to him, and he would do anything for them. He thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to their annual adult family dinners which brought a lot of laughter and wonderful memories.
Sparky loved life and enjoyed being outdoors – hunting and gardening. He played in the slow pitch softball league at West Side Field in Sturgeon Bay for “PJ’s” and liked shooting archery in league at the Door County Rod and Gun Club, just outside of Sturgeon Bay.
This past year, Mikey rekindled his romance with Cindy Meyer and cherished the time they spent together. He enjoyed his Cindy-time which included shopping and spending evenings together curled by the fire. They were special partners in fun and laughter.
Sparky will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Kristin (Matthew) Tassoul of Brussels, WI and Michelle (Max Eisch) Johnson of Sobieski, WI; four grandchildren, Alexis “Lexi” and Beckett Tassoul and Jace and Savannah Johnson; two brothers, Joseph “Joe” (Cathy) LaHaie and Richard “Rick” (Sharon) LaHaie, both of Cheboygan, MI; mother, Sharon “Shody” LaHaie of Cheboygan, MI; special partner in fun and laughter, Cindy Meyer of Carlsville, WI; mother-in-law, Sandra “Sandy” Phillips of Cheboygan, MI; sister-in-law, Andrea (Mike) Wehrung of Minneapolis, MN; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many good friends from over the years.
He was preceded in death by his father; two brothers, Randy and Robert LaHaie; and father-in-law, Richard Phillips.
Sparky’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Fr. Anthony Birdsall officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:20 p.m.
Sparky was a friend to everyone – always there to lend a hand. He was an organ donor and was able to offer the gift of life for “friends” he never met.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the first responders from Algoma for the lifesaving efforts you gave to our dad, and also to the staff of Aurora BayCare Medical Center for the kind and compassionate care you provided.
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Sparky may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
