Clam Gulch resident Mr. Michael Gilbert Wiley, 71, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at his home in Clam Gulch.
A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building, 40610 Kalifornsky Beach Road in Kenai.
Mr. Wiley was born May 6, 1941, in Hartford, Conn. He graduated from Rockville High School in1959. After graduating from high school he furthered his education by attending the University of Connecticut in 1963.
In 1966 he moved to Alaska, living in various places around Alaska to include Skagway, Clam Gulch, Fairbanks, Moose Pass, Seward and several bush communities. His first full-time employment was in a one-room school in Sherburne, Vt. He worked as an educator and administrator in many Alaska communities including Skagway, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and many bush communities around the state. He was employed as a laborer in Local Union No. 341 where he worked on the Alaska Pipeline.
Mike volunteered and was affiliated with several community groups, including Kasilof Regional Historical Association, Central Peninsula Garden Club and the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association.
He also served in elective office for Homer Electric Association, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, and the Kenai Peninsula school board. He was a gardener and provided produce for the local Food Bank in Kenai. Michael was a small business owner and a long-time commercial fisherman in various communities across Alaska.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Bertha Prior Wiley; three sons Bryce Denali, Jefferson Logan, George Rae; and a foster daughter, Victoria.
He is survived by his wife, Vicky Peters Wiley, and his three daughters, all of Clam Gulch, Heather and her husband, Jeff Turkington; Heidi and her husband, Wayne; Holly and her significant other, Bryan Lazer. He also leaves 10 grandchildren: Joshua Stinnett, Bryce Wiley, Isaac Nagasako, Shirley Wiley, and Makayla, Lindsey, Mika, Lokeni, Manu and Lagi Wong. He is survived by brothers Gus of Clam Gulch, Glenn of Oklahoma, Patricia of Alabama, and Susan of New Hampshire.
“He was generous with his time and was an extraordinarily kind person to all he met. He will be missed,” his family said.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Please visit Michael’s obituary at www.alaskanfuneral.com.