Michael Edward Rock

Fairbanks - The Rock family is sad to announce that Mike Rock has left the building.

Michael Edward Rock was born in Springfield, Illinois on December 4, 1956, the son of Michael James Rock and Mary Ellen (Hughes) Rock. He died on his birthday on December 4, 2025, in Fairbanks, Alaska after a brief illness.

Mick, the second of seven children went to St. Agnes Grade School and Griffin High School. He proudly served in the US Marine Corps for 8 years as a "grunt" and was stationed in Beirut in in 1983 when his fellow Marines were killed in a terrorist bombing attack on their barracks. He visited over 30 countries during his tenure in the Marine Corps. His most memorable experience was in Sri Lanka when street vendors were selling monkey on a stick. After he left the Marines Corps, he lived in Arizona for several years. His cold weather camping experiences in the Marines helped convince him that Alaska was where he wanted to live. In Alaska, he lived the life of Hemingway, fishing and enjoying life on his own terms. He worked for the school system in Fairbanks for almost 30 years. He mentioned several times that he had a newfound respect for the difficult job teachers performed.

Mick enjoyed Rock music. His favorite band was the Who. His Pete Townsend air guitar imitation was legendary!

Mick enjoyed helping others in simple ways that made you feel special. Whether it was baiting a hook or recommending an interesting book or an obscure band, he was happy to be involved. In Alaska he would fish as a surrogate for elderly indigenous tribal members so they could get their quota of fish. Mick excelled at helping people and loved dogs. His 3 dogs were constant companions that never lacked for affection.

Mick enjoyed talking, held strong opinions and was not shy about voicing them. To him, there was no gray area-only right and wrong.

Mick is survived by two sisters Colleen (Mike) Havey of Seattle, Ellen (Howard) Seidel of Springfield, IL, and four brothers Terrence (Robin) Rock of Decatur, GA, , Joseph (Laura) Rock of Lake Barrington, IL, Patrick (SiewKhuan) Rock of Ladera, CA and John (Jennifer) Rock of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family respectfully requests that you consider donating to the Marine Corps charity Toys for Tots in his honor for a life well lived at https://www.toysfortots.org/support-us/. A Celebration of Life event will be announced at a later date.