Michael E. Millay

Passed into eternal life after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19 pneumonia at age 81. Mike was the son of the late Stanley Pokracki and the late Ruth Williams. He was born December 11, 1939 in Chicago, grew up in Palatine and resided for many years in Oak Lawn, IL prior to moving to Wisconsin. Mike was the soulmate of and cherished by his wife Christine (nee Augustine). He was a loving dad to his children: Michael J. Millay (Irene Davidson) Michelle Millay, Jim (Jackie) Millay, and stepdaughter Tracy (Mike) Schuster. Dear papa and grandpa of Melanie (James) Potulny, Cary (Lauren) Rogde, Christie (fiancé Dave Conroy) Millay, Elizabeth (Joe Gabler) Rogde, Lexi and Shelby Schuster. Great grandpa of Michaela, Miranda and Aubrie Van Lier. Mike was a devoted brother to sister Mae Millay and brother Bill Millay. He was preceded in death by his first wife Eleanor (nee Dausinas), his brother Robert Millay, sister Suzie Mack and longtime friend Fred Zwane. He is survived by many other wonderful family and friends but had an especially close bond with cousins Fran and Jeff Hollmann, friends Christopher and Leann Lohman, Ralph (the late Corrine) Rosenbrock, George and Martha Wills and Wally Krzyzanowski. First and foremost, he loved all things family related and put family first. Mike made family vacations fun and a priority and could make the simplest of activities, like swimming in the family pool a fond memory for his children. Throughout life, Mike never shirked from hard work to support his family. He owned a gas station, had a small motorcycle shop, and worked as a manager for various steel companies in Illinois. He was an avid researcher of family history and connecting with family whenever possible. Mike was a member of several antique motorcycle chapters but was a founding member of the Prairie Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. He developed a passion for motorcycles at an early age and that love continued throughout his life. Through motorcycles he developed many lifelong friendships. He attended and participated in flat track motorcycle events. He was a frequent vendor at antique motorcycle swap meets and was known as the “Linkert Carburetor Guy” receiving carburetors to be repaired from all corners of the world. He also restored many antique motorcycles before, during and after his restoration work for the Harley-Davidson archives. His craftsmanship and attention to detail can be seen in many of the motorcycles displayed at the HD Museum. Mike was always up for an adventure and his interests were wide and varied. He liked to know how things worked. Over the years he collected and flew remote controlled airplanes, but also experienced co-piloting a P51 Mustang which was a thrill of a lifetime for him. He traveled frequently and in retirement years, he and Chris went on several cruises, enjoyed day trips, visits to Florida, Niagara Falls, Vegas, as well as other locations but he had a great fondness for the Black Hills of South Dakota. Visitation will take place at the Max A. Sass and Sons Funeral Home - Westwood Chapel on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 11:00 AM until 12:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 PM at St. Leonard Catholic Church (W173S7743 Westwood Dr., Muskego, WI). Interment will be private for family at St. Adalbert Cemetery. Memorials in Mike’s name can be made to St. Leonard Catholic Parish Endowment Fund in Muskego, WI or The Leukemia Lymphoma Society. “Happy trails to you, until we meet again.”