Richard Michael Fay

Richard “Mike” Fay of Lakebay passed away peacefully at home Feb. 12 after a courageous battle with kidney disease. He was 76 years old.

Born in Pleasant Lake, Michigan, to Maxwell Charles and Maria Ruth (Chapin) Fay, Mike grew up on a picturesque farm in Jackson County alongside his twin brother Pat, sister Sue, and older brother Don. A 1967 graduate of Jackson High School, Mike attended Northern Michigan University.

His construction career took him to Honolulu before he settled on the Key Peninsula, where he built his home with his wife Mary “Gerry” (Arnold) Fay and formed lifelong friendships. Although he had no biological children, he lovingly helped raise his adopted grandchildren Lauren and Peter Arnold as well as great-grandchildren, and along the way, he adopted dogs and cats that stole his heart. He was known for always cracking a joke, his sweet, gentle nature, readily rocking babies to sleep, and always lending a helping hand.

Mike retired from both construction and barbering, dedicating his final years to serving the Key Peninsula community. He volunteered extensively, assisting elementary students with reading, packing backpacks for charity, for the food bank at KP Community Services, driving seniors for The Mustard Seed Project, playing Santa, and participating in numerous other community initiatives. He was repeatedly nominated for the KP Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award, a testament to his deep love for the community and unwavering commitment to helping others.

He is survived by his many friends, whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his brother Don of Jackson, Michigan; sister Nancy Sue Weiss, Ann Arbor, Michigan; sister-in-law Catherine Fay, Argyle, Texas; stepson William “Billy” Arnold of Lakebay; granddaughter Lauren (Arnold) Spicher of Alexandria, Virginia; and many other nieces and nephews, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around the country.

A memorial service will be held April 12, 10 a.m. at Waypoint South Church, 2406 McEwan Road NW in Lakebay.