On January 2, 2019 we lost a truly awesome scratch baker. Mike died at home after an almost 2 year battle with cancer. He was born October 20, 1952 in Helena, Montana to Henry and Jean Delaney.
He attended grade and high schools in Helena and graduated from Helena High School. During and after high school he worked in an auto parts store and also a local body shop. He also worked briefly at a local distillery.
He eventually became an apprentice baker and learned every aspect of the baking… Read More » trade. He became a journeyman baker and went on to manage bakeries for local chains such as Super Save and Thriftway. He also managed for larger chains such as Buttrey Food Stores and Safeway.
On June 20, 1983 he married Mary Jo Moritz. They had two sons: Shaun Michael and Keith Brandon. Mike loved the Oregon coast and whale watching.
Most family vacations were geared around a trip to the Oregon coast to play on the beaches and look for whales. In 1993 Mike took a bakery manager position with Safeway in Roseburg, Oregon. He was excited to be closer to the ocean.
The family spent 6 months in Roseburg and then got transferred to Grants Pass, Oregon. Towards the end of the first year there they made a trip to Brookings, Oregon and found a small bakery for sale. They bought the bakery in July of 1994 and Mike recognized his life dream of owning his own bakery.
It was long hours and hard work but he thoroughly enjoyed it. He had a very special talent for making absolutely delicious pastries and all types of goodies. In 2008 he realized that it was just too much work for one baker and the difficult decision to close the bakery was made.
He took some time off and was eventually approached by Rays Food Place to come and just make donuts and some bread products. He worked there until they closed in 2016. He enjoyed football especially his favorite Minnesota Vikings and NASCAR with Jeff Gordon being his favorite driver.
He enjoyed classic and muscle cars and going to the car shows. He also was liked British bikes and had an old Norton motorcycle he had planned on restoring. Some of his proudest moments were helping his sons build and race their Mustang drag cars.
His most memorable vacation was a trip to Ireland to see his “homeland”. Survivors include his wife Mary Jo: sons Shaun Delaney and his wife Savannah, and Keith Delaney; grandchildren Blake, Henry, and Lucille Delaney all of Brookings. Also brothers Steve, Jim and Rob Delaney all of Montana; many numerous nieces and nephews and in laws in several states.
He was preceded in death by his parents. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Event Center, 800 Chetco Ave. # B, Brookings, on January 20, 2019 from 1-3 p.m. Cremation is under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel in Brookings.
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