Michael Delia

Anchorage resident Michael M. Delia, 53, died March 14, 2008, at Alaska Native Medical Center.
His family wrote that he went to be with the Lord.
A service will be Saturday in Barrow. Details will be announced soon.
Michael was born July 9, 1954, in Barrow to Frieda and James Delia. He graduated from Chemawa Indian School in Oregon, and later pursued a career in heavy equipment operations. He worked throughout Alaska on various construction projects. During his life, he traveled Alaska and lived in Barrow, Fairbanks, Nenana and Anchorage.
He had many friends and was always looking at the bright side of life.
Michael was a talented craftsman and liked to make baleen baskets and ivory carvings. He was also on several whaling crews in his younger years. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish and hunt. He loved to share memories with his many nieces and nephews and often taught traditional ways such as sharing, respect for elders and preparation of traditional food.
Subsistence hunting and fishing were important aspects of Michael's life. He enjoyed making smoked fish and hunting with his brothers. He was well known by many and had a very generous heart.
Michael is survived by his aunts and uncle, Clara Sakeagak, Georgene Shugluk and Wallace Oenga; brothers and sisters, Leroy Oenga, Tony Delia, Joe Delia, Kimra Bailey and Jenny Miller; and nieces and nephews, Frieda Oenga, Leroy Oenga II, Pikok Oenga, Milissa Delia, Vincent Delia, Kimra Delia, Lorissa Delia, Casandra Delia and Trinity Delia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Andy Delia; and nephew, Brandon Duncan Delia.