Michael "Mike" Loren Wade
Jun 4, 1965 -
Feb 9, 2025
Michael "Mike" Wade of Nome, Alaska, died on Feb. 9, 2025. Mike was a beloved husband and partner in life, father, son, brother and friend.
Mike was born in Newport, Ore., to Georgiana and Charles Wade. His brother Doug arrived three years later. They headed north to Alaska as a family in 1974. After living in Juneau, Angoon and Peters Creek, they finally found a wonderful home in 1977 in the community of Bethel, Alaska. Mike spent time with his family and friends learning about fishing, hunting and boating on the Kuskokwim River. Mike graduated from Bethel Regional High School and attended University of Alaska Fairbanks. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice. He moved back to Bethel and began working toward a career where he hoped to be an Alaska Fish and Wildlife State Trooper. He attained his private and commercial flying certificate ratings in the early 1990s. In 1994, he decided that the Alaska State Troopers were taking way too long and accepted an offer from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He held the position of Special Agent/Pilot in Bethel for the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, and then in Nome until his retirement in 2020. He once boasted of getting the highest score in identifying waterfowl as a trainee in Special Agent School on the East Coast. Of course he did, as he grew up in the YK Delta hunting waterfowl and could ID them on the fly. His flying for personal and work life led him on many adventures in the YK Delta, Bristol Bay, the Seward Peninsula and Kotzebue regions.
Mike married Elisabeth "Betsy" Brennan on Jan. 16, 1998. Betsy and Mike met while he was working in Unalakleet during the Norton Sound Herring Fishery. Betsy worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a Fishery Biologist and spawning herring brought them together. Their first date was flying out to the Tikchik Lakes region in his float plane, fishing and watching caribou cross the water. She thought "this guy is very special," but how realistic was a long-distance Nome-Bethel relationship? Fortunately for Betsy, Mike was able to transfer to Nome and became the Special Agent for all of Western Alaska.
John Wade was born in June 2000. Sarah Wade came into their world in May 2003. Mike, Betsy, John and Sarah built a wonderful life together. They spent their time in Nome and Council, discovering trails and enjoying all rural life had to offer. This included moose and waterfowl hunting, berry picking, hiking, flying, fishing, boating and visiting with friends. Winter brought crabbing through the ice, hunting and trapping, sledding and enjoying time indoors. Sarah and John were sometimes "forced" to endure trapping and small game outings "because they would appreciate it someday." John learned to appreciate those times, while Sarah promised she would look fondly on those adventures but would rather not continue. Mike was an extremely proud Nome Nanook father - sorry Bethel alumni - who endured long hours on the Nome gym bleachers watching his kids play various sports. Mike was also a die-hard fan of the Dallas Cowboys - no one could understand this - and was continuously disappointed each season.
When Mike retired in 2020, his focus turned to the most important aspects of his life: his life was his love for his wife, family and good friends, his love of flying and helping others tinker with airplanes, waterfowl hunting and fishing, and his love for Mabel, the four-year-old chocolate lab who was his constant companion. She was the only dog he ever let on the couch. Mike was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in June 2024. He fought hard to continue to do all those things he loved about his life. The week prior to his death, Mike begrudgingly spoke about living long enough to qualify for the ADF&G Permanent Hunting, Fishing and Trapping license upon reaching his 60th birthday. He once told his wife he had been waiting for that moment all his life.
Mike is survived by his immediate family in Nome: wife, Betsy Brennan; son, John Wade (Erin Johanson); daughter, Sarah Wade; and Mabel, the chunky chocolate lab who occasionally did him the honor of retrieving a duck or goose or two. He is also survived by his parents, Georgiana and Charles Wade of New Mexico; brother, Doug (Fannie) Wade of Bethel; mother-in-law, Amelia Brennan; and sister-in-law, Katie Brennan (Michael Regan) all of Connecticut. He also has many nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and good friends spread throughout Alaska and the Lower 48.
Mike did not want a traditional funeral service, but our family will hold a party to honor Mike's memory sometime in summer 2025. In lieu of flowers, any and all memories you have of Mike and his life and work are greatly appreciated. Please send them to P.O. Box 1623, Nome, AK 99762.
