Dr. F. Michael Saigh

Mike was born Dec. 8, 1952 in Stambaugh, son of the late Frederick M. Saigh II and Lorraine J. (Ropelle) Saigh. He graduated from West Iron County High School in 1971 as the valedictorian of his class.

Mike was the fourth of six children born to Fred and Lorraine Saigh. During high school days, Mike stayed busy with sports and working. He played football, basketball, tennis and liked to reminisce about the glory days.

He and his siblings spent every summer on the water of Fortune Lake in Crystal Falls. In the summers, when he was not water skiing with his family, he was a lifeguard at Fortune Lake, drove ambulances, and worked at the nursing home. He knew from a young age that he wanted to take care of people.

Mike attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. where he excelled in academics and intramural sports. He remained in Ann Arbor to pursue medical school and graduated in 1979 as a family physician. Following medical school, Mike completed his residency at Bons Secours Hospital in Detroit. During this time, he met Margaret Peggy Cole and they later wed.

They returned to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and settled in Norway, where they had three children and he began a family practice. Mike originally began his career alongside Dr. Gladstone before moving into his own office in 1991. The practice grew throughout the ’90s and Dr. Vicky Jakel joined the practice. Mike was also medical director for multiple nursing homes in the area and his son s practice in Wisconsin.

In addition to private practice, Mike staffed Anderson Memorial Hospital alongside Drs. Gladstone and Hayes. This was where Mike delivered all three of his children. Throughout his career, he also worked in many different capacities at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital, including working shifts at the emergency department.

Mike and Debi enjoyed their life together at Hamilton Lakes. He loved having the grandchildren come spend time boating and playing on the beach. He found joy in the grandchildren developing their passion for sports and supported them at their games. Mike and Debi enjoyed traveling to historic locations and he was proud to share his knowledge of history. Together, they also enjoyed motorcycle and ATV rides with friends.

In his spare time, Mike played cards at the B&B Boys Club where he was a two-time cribbage champion. There was always enough time to squeeze in a quick game of cribbage no matter when or where, especially with his son Justin for chump change. Mike’s competitiveness was evident in every cribbage game that he played.

He was an avid hunter and looked forward to spending time at camp and in the woods. He also loved racing cars with his two sons. He was a lifelong tennis player and he could remember every major point when he won or lost. He was fond of Eric Clapton and attended many concerts, including two at Madison Square Garden.

If you ever spent any time talking with Mike, you knew his passion for politics and Michigan football.

He attended two University of Michigan National Championships, three Rose Bowl games and countless regular season games. When speaking with Mike, it was as if he was a part of the team and proudly supported his son while playing for the Wolverines. Not to mention his infamous voicemail Go Blue. He was a steadfast Republican and longtime admirer of Ronald Regan.

Mike was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his fiance, Debi Phelps-Saigh; sons, Drs. Justin (Kaylynn) Saigh and Drs. Jonathan (Amy) Saigh and their children, Coco, Stella, and Sebastian; daughter, Jessica (Dan) Saigh Waite and their children, Eva, Emily, and Ezra; Debi’s daughters, Dana (Bill) Voss, and Loni LePage and her children, Zayden, Zuri, and Zahlia; brothers, Terry Saigh; Fred III (Kelly) Saigh; Mark Saigh; Pete (Patty) Saigh; sister, Barbara Saigh-Chudik and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Redemption Hill church in Kingsford. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at the church. Rev. Alex Tunnicliff and Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hopman will officiate. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. F. Michael Saigh Go Blue Memorial Scholarship at 844 Pyle Dr. Kingsford, MI 49802.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dr. F. Michael Saigh online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.