Michael C. Borre

BORRE, Michael C. Of Kalamazoo, Michigan Passed away suddenly Friday morning, December 5, 2008 from a vehicle accident. Mike was born September 2, 1959, in St. Joseph, Michigan, the son of Mathew and Jean Chevrie Borre. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and Michigan State University. For the past 23 years he has resided in the Kalamazoo area. Mike owned and operated Ace Hardware in Portage for 10 years. He was employed by Cardinal Health from 1997 to 2008 and had just started a job with David W Sims Electric. Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 1992, Mike had a zest for life and lived each day to the fullest, whether it was traveling to faraway places like Bhutan or sailing in the Chicago-Mackinac Race. He had great passion and respect for the outdoors and treasured hunting and fishing with his many friends and family. Mike's greatest prides were his three children. He spent years coaching and cheering them on in their various sports and interests. He was an avid Michigan State fan, swimming for MSU during his college years. Mike believed strongly in helping others and was a member of several organizations over the years, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Timber Ridge Ski Patrol, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Portage Soccer Club, Portage Rotary and St. Catherine of Siena Church. Mike will forever be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. On August 16, 1986, Mike was united in marriage to the former, Elizabeth Gibson, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Heather, Michael, Jr. and Bridget all at home; his parents, Mathew and Jean Borre of St. Joseph; his siblings, Mary Ann Joe Pater, Chip Borre and Steve Michele Borre all of St. Joseph; several nieces and nephews and an uncle, Jim Faith Borre of Naples, FL. He is also survived by several brothers and sisters-in-law: James Gibson Prisca, John Gibson, Gaynor Marc Eisenberg, Rheuben Brittany Gibson and Mother-in-Law, Ann Gibson of Ohio. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Tuesday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church 1150 W. Centre Ave. Memorials in Mike's memory may be directed to Borre Family Memorial Fund, c/o Huntington Bank, 416 W. Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49024. Please go to www.langelands.com for online obituary, register book and condolences.