Obituary of Michael Steven Hawke

Michael Steven Hawke of Syracuse NY, succumbed to Pancreatic cancer on September 19, 2021, just 12 days shy of his 55th birthday. Hatched on October 1,1966, which we used to tease him about, to loving parents Reed & Fern Hawke, who are still amongst us living in the blessing of Michael’s light. Michael was the last good egg of six. Still on deck are siblings, Reed (Susan Tiffany), Kathy (John Amos), Ronald (Kelley Rooney) & Lori (Daniel Ramin). Nieces: Shanty, Trista, Lauren, Aubrey & nephews: Christopher, Ryan & Noah, many beloved Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Dena Fiachinno, mother, of Ruby Mae, partner, Pamela McGrath & her children, Pauline & Leo. His brother, Randall Hawke preceded him in flight in 2000.

The man had many nicknames, one of which we cannot share here. He answered to the Hawke man, Hawkester, Uncle Monkey, Mikey San, Leroy & as a child, Beege, just do not call him Buddy, did not like it. Somehow Michael wove his lifelong hobbies into his career, leaving some to guess whether or not he was actually working or just having fun. All his interests allowed him to constantly be on the go, crossing paths with many and usurping them into his umbrella of lifelong friendships. He greeted people at the door of the Zodiac/ Styleen’s club. He sold water & he sold wine. He was a self-taught woodworker, builder, constructor, designer, whatever the description, his varied projects were filled with beauty & top-notch craftsmanship. He was meticulous, some would say to a fault. He could drive you mad & without realizing it, you would walk away, having learned something of value without knowing you had been schooled. His dexterity with tools & building, I attribute to some Mayflower gene, (the ship), no further explanation. Michael’s self-admitted, most treasured accomplishment in life, is his daughter, Ruby Mae. The beautiful, playful, easy-going bond they shared will never be broken. His wishes are, that you follow your lust for life, connecting with the remarkable brilliancy of your own spirit. You are unique & special & I will always be by your side. You will find me in the music, you will find me in the sky, snow, water & in all activities we shared together. Keep on riding motorcycles if your heart stays with it because you are a natural.

Some descriptive of Michael from friends were adventurous, energetic. magnetic, humorous, music loving, handsome with a sense style like no other, generous & kind. If you were lucky enough, like his partner Pam, her children, Pauline & Leo, along with Ruby and notwithstanding friends, family & their two dogs in tow, or any variation of the aforementioned, you could count on fun memories being made. The stuff of a life well lived, involving music, festivals, camping, water sports, snow sports, soccer games, school plays, birthdays, graduations, dinner parties, tasty food, libations & of course SU basketball games.

 He greeted people with his nicknames for them or with a big, “Hey Now!”. When he wore his Captain America knee high socks you knew something special was in-store. He donned many hats, literally & figuratively. It has been said, “he did more living in his time with cancer than most do in a lifetime." It was one big beautiful last lap around the track. Michael eased our broken hearts by telling us, “He had had a wonderful life filled with fun adventure & so much love & even though he wished for more time, he persevered with only a hint of anger & heaps of grace & humor.

The family would like to thank Hospice & all team Hawke caregivers, as well as all the friends who volunteered their help with all things Michael. We feel blessed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to sequoiaparksconservancy.org

The KNP Complex Fire Recovery Fund Sequoia National Park to help the oldest tree in the world, named General Sherman, from extinction by fire.

-Or plant a tree

-Or commit some random act of kindness for some poor unfortunate soul.

We ask this in Michael’s honor.

Service will be held Friday, October 1, 2021, 11 am at Dewitt Community Church, Erie Blvd DeWitt, NY 13214