Michael D. Whalley

ALTON - State Rep. Mike Whalley, 54, a champion of New Hampshire recreational interests and a Republican legislative leader for many years as well as a New Hampshire business owner, died Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Concord Hospital after complications from an injury received from a fall on the ice. A New Hampshire resident for most of his life, Mike was born in Boston on Nov. 16, 1953. After his family moved to Bow, he graduated from Bishop Brady High School in Concord in 1971 and received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the Whittemore School at the University of New Hampshire in 1975. After his graduation, Mike and his brother Steven founded Hooksett Kawasaki, which quickly grew into a major purveyor of recreational equipment and which later expanded into HK Powersports, with several branches around the Lakes Region. A lover of both motorsports and waterborne recreation, Mike loved riding and racing motorcycles, summer cruises on Lake Winnipesaukee in his vintage Chris-Craft runabout Phantom, and exploring the snowmobile trails around Pittsburg in Northern New Hampshire. After earning his SCCA license, he spent several years racing sports cars at New Hampshire International Speedway, where he also enjoyed events ranging from NASCAR races to classic car shows. He could also be found most mornings rowing the waters of Alton Bay in his Adirondack guideboat. Deeply committed to a belief that the resources of New Hampshire should be held in trust for the citizens of the state, Mike ran for and was elected to the New Hampshire Legislature in 1992 and served eight terms, first representing Bow and, since 2002, the Alton Bay region. In the Legislature, he served in many leadership capacities under four different speakers. His major offices included vice chairman of the Resources and Recreation Committee and chairman of the Election Law Committee, as well as Majority Whip and Deputy Speaker; at the time of his death, he was serving as the House Republican leader. Among Mike's legislative accomplishments were many boating and safety laws, laws regarding adoption and improved election regulations, and he was respected as a strong advocate for the business and tourism communities. A loving husband and father whose first priority was always his family, Mike is survived by his wife, Purr, and son John and fiancée, Mia Simone, of Alton Bay; daughter and son-in-law Caitlin and Brian Shea of Boston; mother Edith, of Bradford; father George, of Gilford; brothers Steven, of Laconia, David, of North Hampton, and Jim, of Bow; a sister, Linda, of Bradford; and a number of nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Upham Walker House on Park Street in Concord. A celebration of Mike's life will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the St. Katherine Drexel Roman Catholic Church in Alton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Children's Hospital At Dartmouth Foundation (CHAD) at 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon 03756.