Michael Henry Hobby

Michael “Mike” Henry Hobby passed to the larger life on December 13, 2023 in Savannah, GA. Born in Auburn, New York on March 11, 1954 to Virgil Hobby & Sophie Schumaker, he was raised in a large family with 6 brothers and a sister, and for the rest of his life, Mike made family the touchstone of his life.

Michael hit the ground running. Renown for his strong work ethic, he started working as soon as he was able, and he never stopped. You name it, he could do it. From working on a tobacco farm, a shrimp boat and in a butcher shop, he did it and did it well. He was also a proud businessman, he owned a trash company, a pool company, and his most successful endeavor – a paint and roofing company. The one supply he never needed as a painter was painters’ tape, he could line any boarder with just the stroke of his hand. And if that just wasn’t enough to make his favorite time of year the best for his family, you could find him stringing up catfish lines, so he had money to buy Christmas presents for his kids. Whenever, wherever, whatever it took, Mike would work as long and as hard as he needed to take care of his family.

Then when mere mortals would come home and collapse on the sofa, Mike would get busy in the kitchen. This was no small enterprise — food was his love language, and its preparation his elocution. While multiple pots were going on the stove, he’d be chopping, cutting, stirring, mixing spices. And if he ran out of hands or time, he would enlist the aid of his kids and grandkids to take the strings out of the freshly-picked green beans, and like a modern-day Tom Sawyer, was somehow able to convince them that it was actually fun.

Home was wherever Mike was, but for most of his life, that home was in Georgia. Here he surrounded himself with the things he loved — his yard and garden and animals and farm. And into this world, he brought the people he loved, which was easy to do because Michael loved people. The word ‘stranger’ was apparently unknown to the man. He possessed that rare gift that, after talking to him for five minutes, you’d swear you were his best friend. And then, after he’d given you the shirt off his back, you would be certain of it.

Mike loved the Georgia Bulldogs, the Atlanta Falcons, NASCAR and Bill Elliott. The fire of the gypsy soul burned bright within Mike Hobby, he thrived for the thrill of life’s journey. Mike loved life and he lived it own his terms, as it should be.

The medical staff advised that Mike’s heart failed, but we know, in the greater and more poetic sense, it never did. For the people who loved him the most, it still beats within us, and because it does, we will be more loving and kind to others. That is Mike’s legacy. But his greatest legacy is his family — especially his wife and his children and their children, who love the man the most and honor him today.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Hobby; his other mother, Virginia Hobby; mother, Sophie Schumaker; and his other father, Johnny Schumaker.

He is survived by his wife Sue, his daughters Tanya Engelbrecht (Bill), Ivy Montano (Zach) and Ginny Hobby, his sons Chris Hobby (Stephanie), John Hobby (Amy) and Virgil Hobby, his grandchildren, Megan Warnock (Cameron), Malorie Dixon (Cameron), Loren Ashberry (Connor), Logan Wiggins, Austin & Evan Engelbrecht and Emily Hobby; his siblings, Joe Kenny, Jim Vivenzio, Virgil Hobby, Susan Hendrix, Tori Hobby, Clinton Hobby and Brenton Hobby. Mike is also survived by so many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mike’s Celebration of Life will be held between at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at his heaven on earth, Hobby Farms – 1221 Hillview Road, Townsend, Georgia 31331.