FORT EDWARD – Michael David “Heilsey” Heil, 61, of Fort Edward Commons, passed away peacefully, following a massive heart attack, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, May 29, 2015, at the Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on May 26, 1954, in Glens Falls, Mike was the son of Elaine and Anthony Pagana of Fort Edward and Carl Edward Heil of Cicero.
He attended Hudson Falls High School and then worked hard to receive his GED.
Mike worked at Scott Paper in Fort Edward, Bocchi Brother’s garage, formerly in Hudson Falls and then, following a tragic accident that left him a quadriplegic, Mike charged full steam ahead by taking courses at Adirondack Community College where he also counseled others who had suffered disabling injuries. He owned and operated Mike’s Motorcycle and Small Engine Repair and then partnered with Michael Putney to operate Double M Small Engine Repair. Forever busy, he then did computer research for friends and family.
He liked playing chess, fishing, shooting his pistols, enjoyed music and concerts, especially trips to see RUSH at SPAC with John Pagano. Prior to his accident, he loved motocross racing. He was sponsored by Hodaka and Waite’s in Queensbury. He was very proud to have been ranked the #1 motocross racer in New York State for a period of time!
Most of all, Mike loved the time he spent with family and friends and was honored to be an Honorary Member of the Adirondack Riders.
He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Homer and Julia Jarvis and his paternal grandparents, Daniel and Julia Heil.
In addition to his parents, Mike is survived by his sisters, Pamela Heil Casey of Queensbury, Diane Heil Barrett and her husband, James of Wilton, Laurie Heil Wieland and her husband, Peter of Queensbury, his brothers Christopher Heil and his wife, Pamela of Queensbury, Mark Heil of Fort Edward; his sisters, Tammy Pagana (Michael Kokoletsos) of Queensbury and Carmela Pagana-Saville and her husband, Weylin of South Glens Falls; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls.
A graveside Rite of Committal will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday at St. Paul’s Cemetery on Vaughn Road in the town of Kingsbury, with the Rev. Thomas Konopka officiating.
In lieu of flowers, mike’s family requests that contributions in his memory be made to the Fort Edward Rescue Squad, Inc., PO Box 226, Fort Edward, NY 12828.