Michael Arthur Hessian, 56

Michael Arthur Hessian, 56, a longtime resident of Bigfork, died there June 29, 2010. He was born Oct. 6, 1953, in Minneapolis, the son of Maurice and Jeanette Hessian. He graduated from Hopkins High School in Minneapolis in 1971, where he was a varsity hockey player. Michael first came to Montana from Minneapolis to ski on Big Mountain in 1976. Michael felt a strong connection to the Flathead Valley and returned that summer to work as a carpenter in Glacier National Park. Michael settled in Bigfork in 1977, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He was a skilled carpenter and worked in housing construction as a master craftsman and supervisor. He married Blakely Brown in 1981. They divorced in 1990. They had a son, Hunter Bo, born Sept. 27, 1985. During his life in the valley he owned Hessian Construction, Hessian Crane Service and was the co-owner of the Bread Board Bakery in the 1980s with Blakely. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Hunter Bo Hessian, of Portland; his former wife, Blakely Brown, of Missoula; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Karen Hessian, of Excelsior, Minn.; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Brenda Hessian, of Hopkins, Minn.; sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Greg Jacobs, of Sequim, Wash.; sister, Maureen Gluek, of Roseville, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Michael was an avid sports enthusiast and cherished the natural outdoor playground that Montana provides. In 2000, Michael was in a serious construction accident that nearly crippled his body and hindered any further outdoor exploration. Through all that life dealt Michael, he was always capable of maintaining high spirits even in life s darkest moments and would want to be remembered by his gracious smile and generous laugh. A celebration of Michael s life will be held beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at the Garden Bar in downtown Bigfork.