1933 - 2011
For nearly four decades, Eugene "Mike" Marchando has mentored, created, inspired, and 'fixed' things for people in the community of Glide, Oregon, always with an optimistic outlook, a compassionate heart and an infectious smile. A master fly tier of 40 years, a professional photographer of 20 years, and maintenance man for the Glide School District for 13 years, Mike could always be found with an energetic and humorous laugh that made other lives shine.
Mike passed away Sunday, January 23, 2011, at his residence in Glide, Oregon, after a six-month battle with esophageal cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Elsie; his daughter Leslie; son Michael and his wife Lori; grandson Michael, grandson Paul, and granddaughter Sydney. Important family members, Tony and Lauren Keller and their two children Alex and Mariah, also mourn his loss. Mike leaves behind countless friends and associates touched by the many layers of his life.
Born in Los Angeles, California on July 9, 1933, to Joe & Lillian Marchando, Mike is preceded in death by brother Merle and sister Nancy. Surviving siblings include Kitty, Donna, and Donald. In 1952, Mike joined the Air Force and served in the Korean War until 1956. He married Elsie Abacherli on April 2, 1960 and they had two children, Leslie and Michael. Mike and Elsie moved their family to Glide in 1972.
A self-described 'jack-of-all-trades,' Mike was innovative in his many career adventures. He became a professional photographer in the 70's, specializing in school pictures, weddings, and portraits. He also dabbled in artistic black and white photography and was a great admirer of Ansel Adams. Mike started tying flies in his spare time and expanded into making graphite fly rods, teaching casting and tying classes, and creating a name for himself in the fly fishing community. He continued to hold down two jobs while tying flies at night, one with the Glide School District and the other as a photographer.
Mike's fly tying 'hobby' turned into a full time venture when one of his flies (an articulated leech) caught the world record Dolly Varden trout in South America. Soon orders for his flies started coming in by the 100's of dozens. Over the years he became associated with Steamboat Inn and the Camp Sherman Store, and his two favorite rivers are the North Umpqua and the Metolius. He has been honored for his fly tying legacy in several states and his flies will live on forever in books and videos.
Mike's family will host a "Celebration" Memorial service for family, friends, and the community on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Glide Community Center in Glide, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Mike Marchando's name to the "North Umpqua Foundation" online at www.northumpqua.org
