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Archie Hall Bailey
Born: 1/31/1937
Died: 8/2/2024
Age: 87
Community: Flushing and Interlochen, MI
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Bailey, Archie Hall of Flushing and Interlochen, age 87, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024, at his home. Cremation has taken place. Per Archie’s wishes, no services are planned.
Archie was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, the son of Frederick and Katherine (Hall) Bailey. Along with his two sisters, now deceased, Charlotte and Bonnie van Ostrom, the Bailey family emigrated to the United States in 1950, and in 1956, became United States citizens.
Archie married Susan Hartwick in Grand Rapids in 1957. Both Sue and Archie devoted their lives to their daughters, Katherine-Kate Bailey and Sarah (Dan) Sholler; grandchildren, Brandon Bailey, Bradley (Amber) Sholler, Erica Coyner (James) Rogers, Bailey May Curtis; and great-grandchildren, Braxton, Sydney Sue, Brysonn, Grace, Nova and Skye.
Archie met Susan Hartwick in 1953, when he was 16 years old. He was a canoeing instructor at a camp on Walloon Lake near Hemmingway’s summer home. Sue was a counselor for one of the girls’ cabins. Litte did they know that they would be married four years later. Sue passed away in 1999, after 42 years together.
Archie was a public-school Educator. He was a teacher, counselor, and Administrator in Livonia and Flushing. In Livonia, he was the Charter President of the Livonia Federation of Teachers (LFT). In Flushing, he served five terms as President of the Flushing Education Association (FEA).
During his family, professional, and political activities, he was able to earn a bachelor’s degree and Master of Education at Wayne State University and later, a second master’s degree and Doctorate at Michigan State University.
Archie’s second passion was politics. His Facebook page, Archie Bailey will be left in place by family for an appropriate time to give former students, colleagues, and constituents some idea of the breadth of his activities. He served on the Berkley, Michigan Board of Education and the Mott Community College Board of Trustees. Governor James Blanchard appointed Archie to the Ferris State University Board of Trustees, which he chaired and to the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority, which he also chaired. Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed him to the Michigan Children’s Commission. In Flushing, he was elected to the Flushing City Council. Under the new City Charter, he was Flushing’s first elected Mayor. In 2002, he was elected to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, which he chaired. In his last election, he defeated the local leader of the Mid-Michigan Tea Party, winning every precinct in his district.
Archie mentored many young candidates to careers in public service. Always the teacher and counselor, he tried to emphasize valuable lessons about caring for the most vunerable and offering friendship to the needy. He was an anti-tobacco guerilla and fought nicotine during his entire public life.
After Sue died, he fought the disease that ended her life: Systemic Scleroderma. He authored an article that became a chapter in a book entitled “Voices of Scleroderma.” The article is available on Google: “Scleroderma: Sue’s Story’ and has been read around the world. Archie co-chaired fundraisers with celebrities such as Barry Sanders and Bob Saget, who both had sisters who passed away from the same disease.
The Bailey family spent 35 years at their summer home on Green Lake, across from the National Music Camp at Interlochen. Guests, and there were many, spent time there. During election years, candidates running for statewide office would bring their families. While Archie and the candidate made stops at all of the union halls and fairs in the area, Sue and the candidate’s spouse and children would tour the Traverse City area that Sue knew so well.
Archie was a person whose loss will impact family and friends, He always insisted he lived the most ordinary of lives, but for those of us who knew him, his life was truly extraordinary. He was devoted to his family through both good and tough times. He will be missed. Archie believed that nothing diminished his gratitude for the countless blessings in his life.
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| Visitation |
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8/2/2024 |
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| Funeral Service |
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