Michael Gordon Estes, better known as "Mike" or "Big Mike," died unexpectedly on December 31, 2025, in Bangor, Maine after complications from surgery at the age of 69. Mike began his life in Lewiston, Maine on May 17, 1956. He was the fifth child and only son of Ellison "Bud" and Theda (Boston) Estes. They resided in Auburn for a short while before relocating to Pembroke, Massachusetts when he was young, and then to Middleborough where he attended school, graduating in 1974 from Middleborough High School. He played baseball and basketball early on at school for a couple of years, but in his yearbook, he makes it clear that what he really liked was sleeping until noon, disliked school and schoolwork, and planned to make lots of money. He was known for saying "Is that right?" After high school he had a few jobs here and there but ultimately went on to start his own carpet cleaning business, which grew into an independent contractor business installing a variety of floorings with his son, Mike, under the name of Estes Carpets. He was an independent flooring installer for Marden's and Bouffard's for many years. Everyone knew when dad was passing by in his big Bouffard's box truck. After his marriage, he bought his first home in Wareham, MA where he held his famous family clambakes every summer before making the big move to Maine in 1986. Mike kept in touch with a few classmates over the years, some he still talked with regularly. Many friends and family made the trip to visit us way up in North New Portland after Mike and his former wife, Janet, moved up there with their two kids, where he spent the better part of 30 years. It didn't take long before his family grew to include three more children. Mike made lasting friendships living in New Portland. He was always tinkering on something with somebody, hosting barbecues, playing tennis with neighbors, and occasionally showing up at home with new pets, including a couple of sheep he bought at the local fair and brought home in the back of his work van. Apparently, they made quite the mess back there and eventually ended up escaping and running away from home. He was spontaneous and adventurous and despite living in the middle of nowhere in a small town, we had some wild times tearing through the woods and fields on our ATVs and snowmobiles. We will never forget the many adventures he'd take us on, whether it was hunting in the nearby woods, fishing the local spots, RV trips, boat rides in Belgrade and Embden, paintball tournaments, road trips to see family out of state at 3am, or exploring the backroads looking for wildlife. Many of us had the privilege of experiencing traveling in the back of his work van, often times seated on beanbags or lawn chairs. There was never a dull moment. Some of Mike's favorite things to do included golfing with his dad and kids, making chili, making platters of finger sandwiches for the holidays, collecting and saving things like beer steins, oil lamps, and family heirlooms, going to auctions, and joking around and messing with people for a good laugh. Mike is lovingly remembered by his four sisters for his humor, good advice, love of family and always being by their side, showing up whenever they needed his help. His nieces and nephews regarded him as the legendary Uncle Mike. Family was the most important thing to him and he made sure they knew that. In Mike's later years he was mostly a bachelor, however he did share a special relationship with a longtime friend that, although was brief, was very meaningful to him. He continued to have family over for his cookouts and loved taking rides on his motorcycle. After his diagnosis with throat cancer, Mike experienced a series of health complications despite beating cancer that forced him to retire from flooring. He struggled with these complications and inability to be the active person he used to be. His joys became simpler. He loved cooking and enjoying a good meal, his iced coffee, listening to Rod Stewart, and most of all, being Papa to his grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Bonnie, was his caretaker and confidant through many of his final years. Mike leaves behind his five kids, Michael, Katelyn, Richard, Daniel, and Bonnie; nine grandchildren; his four sisters, Linda, Carolyn, Donna, and Mickie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. His parents, Theda and Bud Estes, preceded him in death, and no doubt welcomed their son with open arms upon his passing, along with other extended family members that had gone before that he missed so much. Mike will be remembered in the stories we share, countless photographs, and the songs that will always remind us of him, most notably The Power of Love by Celine Dion (if you know you know), Rod Stewart, Queen, and of course the oldies. We invite you to share your memories and upload photos of Mike on his memorial page, celebrating the man who made us laugh. We hope you will join us on May 16th, 2026, the weekend of what would have been his 70th birthday, to celebrate Mike's life from 10am to 1pm at the Waterboro Eagles Club, 1050 Main Street, Waterboro, Maine. We strongly encourage you to come with all of your best stories, pictures, and wild memories. Let's laugh together, cry together, and throw one heck of a party for the guy we had to say goodbye to far too soon.