One of ifish's very own

[NEUTRON]

Very tough day for me today...the boat event seems pretty insignificant. A gentlemen I met a couple years ago through Ifish has passed away. His moniker was White Willie. Anyone who has met Mike, knows what a great person he was. I hope my posting this isn't inappropriate. Please say a prayer for his family. Call your friends and family and tell them how much they mean to you. Mike was the best, I'm gonna miss him.

[Jennie@ifish]

WHAT?
Please call me, k, or e mail me?
Jen

[Hogmaster]

Sorry about this, Roger. I could tell you were affected big time by the loss of your friend.

I will say a prayer for his family.

:depressed: :depressed:

[Jennie@ifish]

Last week while I was recovering from eye surgery, Bill took me on a drive to Pacific City.
We just wanted to mainly visit, and see what was going on.
At the Pacific City Ramp, there was a guy waving at me. It was White Willie.
I didn't know him well, nor could see well, but he recognized me from a distance and yelled with spirit, "Hi Jen! White Willie here!"
He was cleaning two beautiful bright bucks. One that he had caught, and one that (I think)his brother had caught.
I asked him if I could take his picture.
"No thanks, not the picture type".
He was so nice. He told me how it worked down here, who was who, who to look out for, who to fish by. He told me it was combat fishing, but he still liked it. Where the snaggers hang out, and how to avoid them. He showed us where the Kwik fishers were, where the plunkers were, told me about an older lady that comes to fish...
He told me about his house in Tillamook, and that if anyone ever needed it, it was available.
He gave his phone number to a nice guy that he had just met that day, while we were talking, inviting him to come down and stay sometime. Pretty generous guy, I thought.
We talked about ifish, about the people he had met. We talked about guys that he met from ifish that already stay at his house.
He smiled a lot, he was friendly, and I left the parking lot with a nice feeling.
"What a neat guy!" I said to Bill, as we left.
Yesterday, as I was driving to Memaloose, I turned my neck sideways looking at all the houses, "across from the hospital" as he had said, wondering which was his.
He told me his wife one day, said, "Let's buy that house at the beach!" He said he was so excited he jumped in his truck and they did it! He talked about how much enjoyed having his place down here. Asked me why I wasn't fishing in the Trask. Why I was so far from home. He talked about Memaloose, and all the fisheries. What an expert...
He jokingly said my eye looked good, and then turned around as if to throw up. :smile: :smile: That made me laugh.

He said he usually stopped coming to the beach around November.
It's not November, Mike... you can't stop coming to the beach yet.
I just met you. :depressed:

Jen

[ 09-29-2002, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[NEUTRON]

Thanks Jen, that was Mike to a tee. Always willing to share.

[Jennie@ifish]

Man, this has hit me like a ton of bricks and I didn't even know him well.
Sure makes you think about things.
One week holding up two beautiful chinook, the next?
Do call your family, your friends... fish with them often and laugh a lot.
I love this one:
Cook and love with wild abandon!
Smile... keep in touch, and be kind.
You never know...
Jen

[Thumper]

Can anyone tell us what happened to Mike?

[Pursuit]

To all at Ifish,
Mike was my best friend we had been together since 5th grade living the Jennings Lodge and Gladstone area. We started out our young lives together getting in trouble and fishing down at Mildrum Bar. That was always quite something the two of us down there with all the old timers fishing off the beach for salmon. Mike always had a knack for catching fish and I remember it would always make the old guys mad to have the two of us come down and plunk our gear down between a couple of them, then Mike would start hammering fish. There are so many memories.
Mike was 51 and loved his wife and children greatly, he and his wife had just celebrated their 31 anniversary on Wednesday down at the coast. I met up with him on Thursday at his house in Tillamook and was able to spend 2 days with him. We fished together on Friday and I had to come back to town that afternoon. After I left him he must have laid down to take a nap and never woke up. I miss him a lot. He was the best friend anyone could have. Cherish every moment with your family and friends. That’s all for now.

[Stew]

Thanks Phil for putting this all into perspective! You are so right about good friends being hard to find. My sincerest sympathy to Mike's family and to you.
Take care

[ 09-29-2002, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: Shane S ]

[Captain and Marie]

Mike was a friend of mine. He used to come

into my bait shop and always have a BIG

SMILE on his face and we'd talk and talk.

I will miss him tons.

I hope he hears this.

Marie @ TBC

[fishisabonus]

:depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

[Nanook]

:depressed: Major bummer. My age too. Will look at every day different now. Please express our sorrow to all friends and family. :depressed:

Rick

[graybeard]

My condolences to all that knew Mike. I feel the need to share some information.

At the age of 45 I was feeling some achey pains in my left arm, a heaviness in my chest and a shortness in breath and tiredness. I thought these were just the usual growing older pains. Luckily I went to ask my Doctor about it. Found out it was a precursor to heart attack.

People, if you are experiencing these symptoms, please ask your Doctor about it!

(graybeard climbs down from his soapbox)

[PapaHog]

Please express my sorrow to all his friends and family. :depressed:

[ryleysmom]

Please let the family know that our prayers are with them and they are in our thoughts..

[CATCH AND EAT]

Sorry to here about this loss. Real bummer to loose a buddy like that. Been there done that. :depressed: :depressed:

[Trick]

I always feel bad about hearing of losses like this and Mike sounded like a first class guy. I felt like rereading his older posts and I like this post alot and I thought it would be a good one to copy here.


White Willie

Coho
Member # 324
posted 07-31-2002 07:40 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------







I have been married for 30 years and not once has my wife said anything about me fishing. she is a fair weather fisherwomen and the heater better be on, but she does catch fish. Every september she will comment " It is that time again{fall fishing} I will see you around christmas" she even let me buy a house in Tillamook. sometime's we forget just how lucky we are to have partners that understand that fishing is a terminal illness and there is no known cure. Now if I could only get her to start up a fishing website. What is really bad is she got the biggest fall fish in the boat last year and she has not let me forget it!
<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">This is a guy that truly loved his wife and sport. He knew how lucky he was and wasn't afraid to show it. I'm sure I met Mike at F4 but I'm having trouble placing the face.

My thoughts go out to his family and freinds.

Todd

[ 09-30-2002, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: Trick ]

[Jerry Dove]

Monday morning. I very seldon would turn on com****r this early, but glad I did. You are all so right you never know. I hope I can write this, with tears in my eyes. Sorry to hear about willie. My wife woke up this morning and had a cramp in her leg. Sat up, and then went to the bathroom. I heard a noise and ask if she was alright. NO answer, so I jumped up and found her passed out on the pot, faced distorted and moaning. The first thing I said was honey don't you do this to me. I picked her up and put her on the bed. Called 911, and they came right away. She seems to be ok, but let me tell you it scared the H... out of me. I was going to fish today, but you are all right, you never know so I will spend the day with her holding her and telling her how much I love her. We should all do that more often. May god bless youall. Jerry

[rags]

My prayers go out to Willie's family and friends.

[Sturgeon 42]

:depressed: :depressed: :depressed: These are three sad faces, One is for his wife who obviously loved him very much, to let him fish through the seasons and welcome him back every time. Second one is for all the sad faces that are feeling the hurt of losing a great person as he was. And the third is for the fishing poles that will have to wait for the next great person to use them. I am so sad for your loss and sorrow, God Bless.... :depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

[ 10-01-2002, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: Sturgeon 42 ]

[FISH4MORE]

You never know when. Life is so short. Send my condolence too please. I was looking forward to elk hunting with my buddy but lost him Aug 5 this year. My best to all.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I didnt know Mike, it sounds like I would have liked him.

May the fish be plentiful, bite aggressively and fight hard in his new home.

[FM2]

Ya know, lipripper told me about this today as we were preparing to fish at t-bay. When his words were spoken and he said the name of the person, even though I can't say I personally met him, I still felt a loss of someone close because of ifish. This forum has gone beyond an idenity of people that share fishing information but to a level of a closeness that I have not experienced on the internet. The web has produced so much informality and obscurness but to me ifish has brought a sense of family. I read here and post, but right now, my fingers are slow and heavy trying to type this, why is that.....because of the unity that is shared by so many that something such as this comes as a blow to the heart. I feel like I need to do something to show my family how much I care because our physical life is so short.

Thanks Roger for posting this, hope you and others are recovering from the shock of this and please give everyone close to you more hugs than ever!!

God Bless his family with comfort throughout this time.

[Born to Fish]

Sounds like a tragic lose....my prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of this kind and generous person.

As others have said, stories like this certainly remind you of your own mortality and that of those you love and cherish.

Live for the moment and enjoy those around you.

[get hooked]

Roger we met at the Gresham rollcall last week and although you may not remember my name I will share your grief. It is a real let down to lose someone close. My prayers go out to the family and friends of Mike and all ifishers at a sad time like this. May we all treat each other like there may not be a tomorrow and let each other know that we care about them. may god comfort all who mourn Mike's passing. :depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

[Pursuit]

To Ifishers and friends of Mike, aka White Willie

If you wish to attend: 10/3/02 at 1 pm
The address for the Church is 2015 8th Ave. West Linn
From 205 south
Take the 10th street exit turn left onto 10th then right on 8th Ave.
And then a hard right into the Church parking lot it is a Yellow and Tan building.
I hope this will help for anyone that wants to attend.

As far as donations made in Mike’s memory send to:
Tillamook Anglers Corp.
7510 Trask River Road
Tillamook, Or 97141
You may make the donation to the hatchery or the Disabled Kids Fishing Day please let them know if you make a donation.
Thank you all

[SLEDDER]

My inlaws own Oak Grove Station, on Oak Grove Blvd. If Mike is the man I think he is, (his wife Nancy paints with a class at the Oak Grove Station,) The world has lost a great man!! Not much we can do or say to make things better for you Nancy. Hang in there and look for friends for help and encouragement. Scott Volland (Sandi's husband) Consider us in the friend catagory!! 503- 654 -1223

[skein]

Nicely said, FM2. You expressed what I've come to feel about ifish. This is a great community and folks like Mike are just a piece of a much larger puzzle. You and I are also a part of it, and all we can do is try to become as positive an influence as Mike and the folks like him.

We're poorer because he's gone - and richer because he was here.

Tight lines to ya, Mike....

Skein

[Eric W.]

I knew Mike proffesionally. He is the one that first told me about IFISH.net. I remember on my first post - he responded and welcomed me aboard. He even called me and asked me to go fishing with him, and I turned him down. I barely knew him, and yet he offered to share with a fellow fisherman. He will be missed.

Eric Whitley

[ 09-30-2002, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Eric W. ]

[Wishing to Fish]

This forum has and is touching so many people. As I read this thread of the loss of a man that was obviously a great individual. I know that he touched so many lives with his love. Although I did not know him or his family and I am realtivly new to ifish, my life has been blessed. I pray that I can work to be more like Mike and learn to touch people in such a positive way. My heart and my prayers to his family.

And to Jen, thank you for providing a place for people like Mike to be able to touch so many more people.

God Bless

Darryl

[Pursuit]

I have a request,

There is a wonderful old gentleman who lives next to Mike’s place in Tillamook he was very close to Mike, like a second father. Stan is his name, well I was wondering if any one from the Tillamook area was going to come to the service on Thursday if they mite consider giving Stan a ride into Portland to the service and back to Tillamook. Stan has some problems seeing so he didn’t know if he was going to be able to drive. If you think this might be an option for you please give me a call at 503-708-2729 or drop me an email.
Thank you

[bay runner]

I want to thank all of you out there for the kind and loving words for my brother mike ,I can't begin to tell you how bad the family and I will miss him. He was a wonderful father and a devoted husband,as our friend phil told you they just celebrated 31 years together. Mike had a passion for fishing and didn't mind sharing where to go , what to fish with and who to talk to . There are so many memories and great times we had together. He really loved ifish and being able to talk to you guys about everything. I won't be able to fish the bay this fall but I know the next time I'm there I'll think of mike and the look on his face when he would hook a fish, or the pleasure he got when he was able to take someone out in the boat that hadn't caught a salmon before ,and watch that same passion kindled in someone new. Last I would like to ask you all to take the time from this busy fast paced world to let your loved ones know how much you love them and give them a big hug, cause they can be gone in the blink of an eye. Thanks again for all your kind words. John

[Stew]

Thanks for sharing with us about your brother John. My sympathies to you all all of those that loved him. Those memories will sustain you through the difficult time of grief ahead and hopefully that will help ease the pain a bit. Take care and God bless you and your family
Shane Stewart

[NEUTRON]

I met Mike through Ifish.net. I came to know he was the epitome
of the word community, the very name of the Internet discussion board where he offered
open seats on his beautiful boat.
Our first conversation, on the phone lasted for the better part of thirty minutes.
We were like old women; we shared the same affliction, fishing. It drives me nuts when my wife
or daughter gab on the phone endlessly, this was different.
I learned Mike didn't like fighting the crowds when the boat ramps got busy. He
Would just get there before everybody. I won't forget walking down the dock in the pre-dawn
darkness only able to see navigation lights and silhouettes in the distance. I knew he was there
because his vehicle was parked in the lot. I'd say "Mikey" and then hear the good morning response
from out there somewhere.
One time, that get there first idea wasn't so good. The plan was to sleep on our boats
all night in Mike's honey hole near sand island on the mighty Columbia. We wanted to be in the
spot for the Flotilla that brought a horde of anglers to the area. Mike, John and Gary tried to work
through Debbie and my ineptness at anchoring. It was no use; we just weren't equipped well enough.
I learned that Mike's attitude and kindness was a family trait and that attempting to sleep on anchor in
the Columbia at night wasn't my idea of a good time.
I grew to respect Mike's disposition towards others. When a well known guide grounded his
boat, many took pictures and chuckled at his plight. Mike was the first to throw him a line in attempt
to rescue his boat from the mud. When we talked about it later, he said these guys are your friends.
You'll never know when you might be the one to need a hand. Another day recently, a guide had a
hook impaled in the back of his hand. When his clients were too squeamish to remove it, he turned to Mike
and kept fishing after removal. Not sure what Mike used to sterilize the wound, but if you see a guide on
Tillamook Bay wearing a rainbow colored afro, that's him.
My wife especially enjoyed our trips with Mike because he kept me in check. Once, when she hooked a nice salmon fresh from the ocean; she couldn't reel fast enough to keep up with the sub-surface
missile. Her line went slack and she lowered the rod to waist level and said 'he's off". I felt that dinner was in jeopardy at that moment so I stated in my best Marine Corps voice: REEL, REEL. Which she did
and the fight was back on but not before Mike called timeout and said: "hey, we are supposed to be having fun here".
Mike wanted to change Debbie's nurturing habits like taking care of me was a bad thing. I could say "where is that thermos" and end up holding a cup of coffee 30 seconds later without moving...the power of suggestion. He always said that Nancy could fix those bad habits in a heartbeat. I think get it your darn self was the translation. Well Nancy, you'll always have seat in our boat and we'll wait on you hand and foot.
I know the Tillamook salmon will have a better survival rate now, more will make it back to spawn and go to heaven. Little do they know, Mike will be there waiting for them. Mike, save me a
spot. Your spirit will be with me forever. God bless you, Mike

[ 10-02-2002, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: NEUTRON ]

[T-Jet]

John. Phil and Kelly. If you see this post. I also share in your shock and disbelief that he is no longer with us. I recieved the news yesterday and I am still not able to accept it!
I will cherish those trips down the John Day, the 0"dark thiry runs up the clackamas. The world has lost a great man. I will be there to wish him and his family well tommorrow.

Todd

[Gizmo Man]

Roger: sorry to hear about your friend Mike. It is tough to find a good fishing friend and even harder to lose one like this and at such an early age.

It brings us back to the point that life is short and that we should be spending our time enjoying it with others, not bickering.

Giz...

[ReelMcCoy]

I should have read this thread earlier.

I want to offer my deepest condolences to his friends and family.

I know the feelings all of his friends are going thru. I went thru the same thing last year at about this same time.

I had a friend that used to fish at PC all the time. You could allways find him by the stairs at the launch this time of the year plunking with his corkies. Or at the hospitle hole.

They sounded like they were cut from the same tree. The thing that makes this all the more difficult is the simularities. Some of you I am sure new him. His name was Mike Hlovka. We all called him big mike. One of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He passed away last year at the age of 47 from a massive heart attack. Even a year later every time I pass by thoses places he used to fish I feel a tear well up in my eye.

The point I am tring to make is make the most out every minute. Because you never know what tommorow brings.

[Killertraylor]

I met White Willie this spring on one of my first trips out on the Columbia. I have fished the Multnomah Channel exclusively for Springers in years past, but upon moving to St. Helens, thought I'd better learn the main river too since I'd have more time to fish it. I anchored up in a hogline next to a guy I didn't know and let out the rods and quickly had a fish in the boat before I ever had a chance to strike up a conversation with the guy next to me. I was a little nervous to head back up river to my anchor as I thought the guy might be a little miffed - turned out it was White Willie and he was nothing but complimentary and happy for me and my mom who cought the fish. I only fished next to him for a few hours and never saw him again, but reading all of these posts sure brought tears to my eyes. He was a heck of a nice guy and we all could learn something from his kindness, politeness and generosity. You'll be missed, Mike - may you find your true treasure in heaven.

Joe

[AnnaDraMoss]

Mike is a good freind. I bet I think about him everyday. All my other freinds no of Mike, just from me constantly referring to him in daily conversation. He introduced me to different activities and lots of people who I inturn befreinded. This has inspired me to carry on Mike's kindness and generosity to others.There is an empty lonely feeling in my heart knowing I've lost a buddy, more of a mentor that I cant describe. My condolences to his family and freinds. I will see you thursday. Garry.

[T-Jet]

Good to see your around Gary. Hard to forget those nights around the fire out in the canyons of the John day with Mike and the gang. I, along with you will carry his spirit and kindness with me forever! Hope to see ya tommorrow.

Todd

[rebell]

:depressed: :depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

[Pursuit]

This is from Mikes sister in law Jenne She asked me to post this for her.

There was this guy who came into my life 30 some years ago. Kind of an ordinary fellow struggling through life just like the rest of us. But life itself for him was much more difficult than it should have been. He had to grow up and be responsible earlier than most. This guy, Mike (White Willy) fell in love with a young girl and married her. I was worried about how this young couple would make it in this big old world. Well, armed with a wicked sense of humor, zest for life, hard work, life long buddies and enough love wrap his arms around anyone he came across, he and his young bride, Nancy started on their journey. (By the way, how did a guy with just one brother marry into a blended family of 13 children and 4 parents who all got along, sharing birthdays and holidays together? Guess he has always been a people person.)
Mike and Nancy have two children. Last May they traveled to Washington DC to see their daughter graduate from college, the very first college graduate in the whole family. Their son works on a fishing vessel out of Alaska (go figure!) With their children grown, Mike and Nancy found new hobbies to fill their days and weeks. They loved to go to garage sales and find treasures. They are collectors and protectors of treasures. They loved to go rafting down the John Day River. This was usually a three to five day trip that included great friends, good food, lots of crazy stories around the camp fire, and of course Mike’s all time favorite passion—fishing. Let’s face it the man could fish!!! I seized the opportunity to read the postings on ifish.net last night and was amazed and touched by what I read. I have heard Mike mention this web site on occasion, sharing it with others. I always knew that people who fish, hunt and just generally enjoy the great outdoors were a rear breed of people, but this web site just brings it right up front and all the way home. It’s not really a competition of who can catch the biggest fish, it’s the laughter the stories, the memories, the people you meet and the journey itself. I am not much of a fishing person, (I just like to go with my husband who does like o fish). The is something unique about being on the water confirmed in a boat alone (yet together) and sharing an experience away from the busy world and all of it’s goings on. Oh this man Mike: son, nephew, husband, father, brother, uncle, co-worker and friend, passed away way too young. He was doing what he loved most, at his Tillamook fishing home that he shared with his wife Nancy, after a day he spent fishing with a best friend that he has known since they were ten years old. He went to sleep and peacefully passed away. I summarize that Mike’s arms were no longer big enough to wrap around his family, friends and the people whose lives were touched by him. So he is making the journey to a place where he is able to do this. We will miss you Michael, but not forget you. We Love You! Thank you for providing a place that I could express my thoughts and emotions and for sharing all of your thoughts, prayers, and memories! Nancy and Mike’s sister, Jeanne

[abercrombie]

I lay my rod and reel to rest for the day in honor of such good people. I never met the man, but from what I have read above, it would have been an honor I'm sure.. Rest in Peace, and please don't catch all the fish up there before the rest of us get a chance at it..
Prayers to family and friends...

[Vinny]

I just returned from 8 days at work in the east. I just learned the news of Mike's passing.

As Jennie mentioned, Mike was not the "picture type." He rarely posted, but he was often here.

I was one of the the lucky recipients of Mike's generosity a year ago at the Ifish barbeque.

Knowing I was new and travelling a distance, Mike offered a seat to me. Subsequently, I was fortunate enough to fish with Mike a couple of more times as well.

It was on his boat where I met Neutron and Mrs. Neutron, and that friendship has grown.

I even had the pleasure to fish with with Mike and his wife Nancy, both wonderful people.

As I read this thread and feel the void, I know that Mike will truly be missed by many.

Good-bye Mike, you will not be forgotten. :depressed:

[ 10-07-2002, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: Vinny ]

[bubba9112]

Mike, will be sorely missed by this fisherman. I met mike 8 years ago through a friend of his(marlin). I will miss the days of the Miami Anglers and rivermill dam. I will always remember my friend, that I spoke to just before this vacation at fisherman's in o.c. he was soo looking forward to killing fish. Mike and I had a running joke about bobbers down" that was a great bite". he would always make fun of me when I did not get a hook in to a fish when my bobber disappeared. My thoughts are with mike's family, I wish I could have been there for you my friend, as a paramedic I would like to think I could have helped in some way for a positive outcome.
Everytime my bober goes down I will think of you my friend. You will be missed by this angler...Braden Barrett

[T-Jet]

As the promise of a new season begins........just a thought. Thinking of you Mike!

[Grantspastor]

I pray that the comforting presence of the Lord will be with all of this man's family and friends. To me he sounds like a rare individual.