Michael John Legge

Michael J. Legge passed away peacefully on July 6, 2022, with his family at his bedside. Mike was born in 1939 in Seattle, Washington to Stella and Robert Legg. He grew up in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood and attended Franklin High School. After graduation, Mike joined the Coast Guard Reserve where he served as a medical corpsman and played the clarinet and saxophone in the Coastguard band. Mike paid his way through college at Seattle University by working as an orderly at Harborview Medical Center and playing music professionally. He attended commercial art school in Seattle, then worked at Boeing doing commercial art/graphic design for several years. Mike went on to complete a master's degree at the University of Washington and Reed College. While in graduate school at UW, Mike met his future wife, Tecla Jung, an undergraduate at Seattle University. Mike and Tecla were married in 1970 and raised their family in the Wedgwood neighborhood in North Seattle.

Mike converted to Catholicism at the age of 19. In the mid-1960s Mike attended a retreat at Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon where he met a Benedictine monk who became his lifelong mentor. Thanks to this friendship with Father Bernard Sander, Mike served as an Oblate of St. Benedict for many years. He and Tecla were also active with their local parish, Our Lady of the Lake, where their four children attended school.

Mike worked for the Shoreline school district for 30 years. He taught high school special education, then alternative education. After he retired Mike and Tecla moved to Kingston, Washington. Mike enjoyed woodworking and carpentry, painting and drawing, winemaking, gardening, and music. In his later years, Mike became a Master Gardener and played the saxophone as a member of the Hometown Band in Kitsap County. Mike enjoyed participating in classic car shows where he displayed his prized Paprika Red 1960 VW Beetle, of which he was the original owner. He and Tecla enjoyed many camping trips in their VW camper van in Canada and along the West Coast, often with their kayak in tow. Mike and Tecla also traveled internationally, including numerous trips to Mexico and to Europe. One of Mike’s last great adventures was a trip to the Yucatan where he ascended to the top of the highest pyramid at Coba at the age of 76.

After lovingly planning Tecla’s 70th birthday party several years ago, Mike’s struggle with dementia became evident. He gradually lost the ability to speak, and his many interests and brilliant skills faded away. Mike continued to enjoy spending time with friends and loved ones, however, communicating with his bright blue eyes and the brilliant smile that he shared more freely than ever. He and his family especially appreciated the gentle and patient care of his Visiting Angels caregivers and the kindness of the caring staff at Fieldstone Memory Care in Bainbridge island.

Mike is survived by his wife of 52 years, Tecla Jung Legge, their four children, and five grandchildren. Daughter Andrea Legge Chymiy, her husband, Thomas, and their children, Jacob and Noelle, live in Bainbridge Island, WA. Daughter Elise Legge Dowling, her husband, Tim, and their children, Violette and Auguste, live in Richmond, CA. Mike’s son, John Legge, lives in Seattle, WA with his wife, Lillian Welch, and their daughter, Betty. Mike’s youngest daughter, Juliana Legge, lives in Austin, TX with her husband, Chris Heinrich. Mike is also survived by his sister, Linda Stevens, who lives in Hermann, MO with her husband, Stan. Mike’s children and grandchildren have many fond memories of Mike’s pie-making skills — especially apple pie and rhubarb pie, which he learned to make as a kid from his stepmom, who owned a local restaurant. They also loved Mike’s Easter pashka recipe and cherished Mike’s yearly apple cider pressing party.

A memorial mass for Mike will be celebrated on July 25 at 10:30 AM at St. Cecilia’s Catholic church in Bainbridge, with a Celebration of Life and reception to follow at 12 PM at the Kingston Village Green Community Center. Please contact his family for details:  andreachymiy@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Mike’s name to Benedict House ( https://ccsww.org/get-help/shelter-homeless-services/benedict-house/ ), Fishline food bank ( fishlinehelps.org ), or the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility (https://www.iccr.org/about-iccr ).

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island.