Michael Joseph Fahey lost his brief battle with brain cancer on January 31, 2020. He was born in Spokane, WA on October 28, 1955, the youngest child of John and Margaret O'Brien Fahey. Mike graduated from Gonzaga Prep in Spokane and attended Gonzaga University and WSU before enlisting in the US Navy as Hospital Corpsman. He served on the USS Nimitz and was deployed during Desert Storm/Gulf War where he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery. After his discharge from the Navy, Mike moved his family to Vancouver, WA and attended Clark College to become a registered nurse. He had a long career as a compassionate, skillful, and detail-oriented nurse.

As a child, Mike fell in love with music. His hero was John Lennon. Mike played violin in the Spokane All-City Orchestra, and he taught himself how to play the guitar. He was in a rock band in high school and played jazz in college at his WSU Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. In high school, he played guitar and sang at the popular Saturday evening "folk masses" at St. Augustine's.

Mike was involved in Boy Scouts, continuing through high school in the Explorers. Like his father before him, he enjoyed many summers at Camp Cowles on Diamond Lake.

Mike met his wife Karin (Noorlander) while they were both stationed at Bremerton Hospital as Hospital Corpsman. He leaves behind his beloved wife Karin, sons Ryan (KIm), James (Katy), Megan (Dan), several grandchildren, his sister Kate (Rob) Sorenson and her family, many cousins, and his precious doggies Betty and Petey. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Peggy Fahey and older brother John.

This kind, gentle, talented, quiet man will live forever in our hearts and memories.

Services will be held at the Willamette National Cemetery on March 18, 2020 at 1pm. Celebration of life held after in Vancouver, WA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Feb. 23, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael FAHEY

13 Entries

David Dupper

April 9, 2020

Sorry to hear of Mike's passing, I knew him from Sacajawea middle school and worked with him at IHOP and considered him to be a good friend, he'll be missed.

Becky Maryjo

April 7, 2020

Kate hope good memories comfort you love & peace Becky&MaryJo

Kate Fahey Sorensen

April 7, 2020

My baby brother was my first true love. We were always friends...no sibling rivalry ever. A favorite memory: In the 1970s, someone gave me a helium balloon that floated through my house for days. Mike came over for a visit, and he said lets suck the helium out of the balloon. We were howling with laughter and woke up my sleeping son Pat. When he ran into the kitchen, I said (in my Minnie Mouse voice) Sorry to wake you, honey and Pat literally fell over backwards laughing. Until the day Mike died, we never had a phone call that didnt start with Hey, Mickey! and a laugh. I am heartbroken to lose my dear brother and will miss him every day for the rest of my life. Thank you, Mickey Mike, for your love and companionship.

DAWN Avila Holdstock

April 7, 2020

Mike was a good person inside and out. The biggest heart a person can have.

I will forever remember the Steve Miller Band concert at Edgefield.

His love for you was always evident in his eyes when he looked at you. His smile when he was told the Admiral was calling.

He was a great friend and charge nurse. I enjoyed taking care of others.

I know Karin has temporarily lost her soul mate and best friend, but you'll be together forever next time you see each other.

Rose Milhem

April 6, 2020

What an accomplished man. I always remember as kids, he was super smart. The summers at Comstock Park with John Kate and Mike at the pool were always happy times! He will be missed!

Chris McDonald

April 6, 2020

Michael Fahey has left a wonderful imprint in this world. I met him when he brought his amazing wife to Windhaven Therapeutic Horse Ranch. He was so loving , supportive and willing to pitch in and help others. His positive, uplifting personality brought sunshine even on stormy days. He is greatly missed but know he is soldiering on in heaven.

Clare McCracken

April 5, 2020

Mike and all his family were a huge part of my very happy childhood! It was so fun to have cousins in town that would join us for back yard bbq s or outings to the park. Going to Auntie and Uncle Jack's house was always a treat and I even got to spend the night a few times. Mike was the same age as my big brother Pete and I thought they were both the coolest and the smartest! I remember Mike's smile and his laugh and I'm so thankful for all the joy he added to our family get togethers. He will be greatly missed. I am thankful for this picture on my wall that reminds me of Jesus perfect love for Mike and for us.

Karin Fahey

April 5, 2020

My love, you always called me "My love" too! The very last message i have recorded of your voice on voicemail is "Good morning, my love" You were recovering from your second craniotomy because you contracted an infection in your incision. You were so brave, through it all. You were my rock, my lifelong partner. I can hardly go on without you but i must find a way. You told me, " I want you to flourish" You were the kindest, most intelligent soul i have ever met and i was so blessed to have you by my side. We sure fought hard for our family and tried so hard, even though everything didn't turn out the way we hoped for. I will always love you until my last breath. Rest in eternal Peace my love. I know you are having the time of your life with all your loved ones in heaven. I will see you when the Lord decides it's my time and we shall meet again someday. Until then, Your grandson is walking now and a beautiful little boy. I am sorry you aren't here to watch him grow up. I am sad about that, but i will be the best grandma i can be. James and Katy are engaged. We get together quite a bit. That's all we have is each other! Life is difficult without you and i miss you every moment. I never new grief like this before. Kisses and Hugs!! Love, Karin

Marie Richmond

March 18, 2020

Today is Mike's Memorial Service and I had very much hoped to be able to attend it. However since that became impossible I am writing this today so that I may feel that I am in some small way a part of it. I will go to Mass later today in Mike's honor and as a way of showing my respect. (In this time of crisis when all scheduled Masses have been cancelled, our Priest is saying Masses that we can 'drop in' to.)

I was a considerably older second cousin of Mikes and knew him while growing up a very little through large family get togethers in Spokane. However as a young Navy Man, Mike was assigned to work with me in the CHAMPUS/TRICARE office at Naval Hospital Whidbey Island at Oak Harbor, Washington. I am and always will be grateful for that opportunity to get to know Mike. He was a dear friend and a valued co-worker. He was fun, very smart, and a great counselor with the Navy people who had medical billing problems. All in all Mike was a terrific person to spend my work days with. In all my years in that office, I had three favorite people to work with and Mike was one of the three.l

When Mike left the Navy and Oak Harbor, there was no doubt in my mind that we would stay connected and I am so disgusted with myself that I didn't make that happen. I've thought about him through the years and, through family, have heards bits and pieces about where he was and what he was doing. You always think there is time to re-unite with those who mean so much to you, but sadly, that is not always the case.

My heart is heavy knowing that Mike is now gone. My love and sympathies go out to Karin and their (seemingly impossible) grown up family. I will always have such pleasant memories of my time with Mike. My prayers are with him and all his family.

USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

Roger Sheetz

March 2, 2020

It was on the mourn
That I saw a ship a sailing
The sea was calm
The winds were fair
Mike was young
And he was at the rail
With shipmates once again.---rs

Colleen Dugger

February 23, 2020

I worked with Mike in the late 70's early 80's.
I have good memories of being in our 20's, still have the album he gave me, Bruce Springsteen, The River.
I'm happy that Mike had the family he deserved.
Mike was a good, kind hearted man, and I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Blessings to all

Ed Jones

February 23, 2020

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Brother Fahey, and my thoughts & prayers are with his family, friends & chapter brothers. While I never had the honor of meeting Michael, I pledge that the SigEp Patriots Project will always remember him, his life & patriotic service. Rest easy, Shipmate. We have the watch.

February 23, 2020

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.

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