In Memory – Capt. Michael Patterson
It is with a heavy heart we must confirm that Capt. Michael Patterson of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., passed away on December 9th. The family will accept visitors at the St. Stephens Parish Hall in Port Huron, Mich., on Saturday December 17 from noon until 4 p.m., with a eulogy service at 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend and share memories. Updates on a celebration of his life will be held in Sault Ste. Marie at a later date and will be published by Hovie Funeral Home, Sault Ste. Marie, at www.hoviefuneralhome.com.
Mike was a senior tugboat captain for The Great Lakes Towing Company; one of the lucky few who spent his life doing the thing he really loved. It was more than a career – it was who he was, and what he had wanted to be since childhood. After working for various companies, he proudly spent the last 29 years of his career aboard the Towing Company’s “G” tugs, most notably the Tug MISSOURI at the Soo. He worked in the port of Detroit for many years before transferring to Sault Ste. Marie in 2000.
Mike was born in 1957 in Marysville, Mich. After graduating from Marysville High School in 1975, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as the 7th Special Forces Group, until his honorable discharge in 1978. He married his high school sweetheart, Angela Troy, on Nov. 11, 1978. They had two children, Sean and Kelli.
During his life, Mike was a record-setting swimmer, a skilled and courageous tugboat captain, a member of the Army Special Forces; an Airborne Ranger, scuba diver, snowmobiler, dirt bike rider, faithful son, caring father, loving husband, Jeep enthusiast, union member, Western movie buff, leader, mentor, animal lover; a valued neighbor and beloved friend, and a great Tugboat Philosopher. Mike is survived by his mother, Marjorie Patterson of Marysville, brother Scott of Smith Creek, sister-in-law Pam Patterson of Port Huron, wife Angie and son Sean of Sault Ste. Marie, daughter Kelli of Ferndale, Aunts and Uncle Bob and Eva Philips of Port Huron, and Kay Force of Marysville, Mother & Father In-Law Robert and Patricia Troy of Marysville, Brothers and Sisters In-Law Robert (Joan) Troy, Jeff (Patty) Troy, Mary (Gary) Siemen, Chris (Lisa) Troy, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his father William.
Mike Patterson was a member of the Port Huron Lodge of the International Shipmasters Association and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots maritime labor union.
Mike will be sorely missed by the Towing Company and all who worked with him.
In memory of Capt. Michael Patterson, below are links to just a few of our favorite articles about Capt. Patterson:
