WILMINGTON — Michael Edward Hession, age 84, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026, with his wife Helen by his side.
Born in Queens, New York, on January 12, 1942, to the late Michael Thomas and Marion Hession, Mike went on to earn his engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. During his college years, he discovered two passions that would define much of his life: sailing and snow skiing. Throughout a distinguished career as an engineer, Mike contributed his talents to companies including Johnson & Johnson, Convatec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Takeda.
Mike’s greatest joy was found in his family, his Catholic faith, and his outdoor adventures. For decades, he competitively raced sailboats in the Virgin Islands, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Generous with his expertise, he passed his love for sailing onto anyone willing to step aboard and learn from him.
In 1978, Mike purchased a timeshare in Snowbird, Utah, sparking an annual family ski trip tradition that his children proudly continue to this day. Intelligent, witty, and deeply loving, Mike possessed a marvelous sense of humor and a treasury of funny life stories that he delighted in sharing. He lived a full, vibrant life and left this world with no regrets.
A faithful member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Mike lived his faith through service and love for his community.
Mike is survived by his wife, Helen Hession; his daughters Beth Niccum (Jon), Erika Clingenpeel (Clarke), Megan Neijstrom, and Nora Neijstrom (Kory Mitchell); and his son Kenneth Neijstrom (Karen Erskin). He was the proud “Pop-Pop” to six grandchildren: Keaton Tucker, Lincoln Tucker, Natalie Clingenpeel, Taylor Clingenpeel, Kace Mitchell, and Margot Mitchell. He is also survived by 7 sisters-in-law, 4 brothers-in-law, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ginny; his parents; his sister Peg Galgano and her husband Frank; his brother, Tom Hession; his parents-in-law Rose-Marie and Arthur Landrock; and his mother-in-law Jane Stapleton.
“He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were calmed.
Then were they glad because they were at rest,
And he brought them to the haven they desired.”
— Psalm 107:29–30
A funeral service will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mike’s name to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.
Please leave memories and condolences for Mike’s family here.
