DATE: Sunday, June 15, 1997                 TAG: 9706150004

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   43 lines

IRISH W. PEELE

Irish ``Mike'' Willis Peele, 61, of the 200 block of E. 41st St., died peacefully June 10, 1997, in his home surrounded by his family and close friends. Mike courageously fought cancer for 5 1/2 years.

A native of Hatteras, N.C., he was the youngest son of the late Frazier and Viola Peele. Mike taught marine biology in the Norfolk Public School System for 28 years. He was an exceptional teacher who excited his students and shared his enthusiasm for an insatiable curiosity about the marine environment. A master storyteller with a tremendous sense of humor and compassion, Mike touched all of those he encountered.

Over a 20-year period, he carried more than 600 students on excursions to the Dry Tortugas off Key West, Fla. There they snorkeled, fished, explored and learned in the world's ultimate classroom - a tropical island in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mike was proud of his culinary skills and thoroughly enjoyed delighting friends with his exotic dishes. For several years, he operated the Hatteras Seafood Pavilion, the largest seafood tent ever at Harborfest. He ran the WTAR water patrol, issuing fishing reports to Tidewater fishermen and he captained numerous sportfishing charter boats in Virginia Beach and along the Outer Banks.

It was common knowledge that he was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wife and four children with a passion. Mike Peele will always be our hero.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Howell; his three daughters, Chelsea Peele of Norfolk and Perri Legler and Wili Engel of Virginia Beach; his only son, Nikolas Peele of Norfolk; grandson, Wells Legler of Virginia Beach; sister, Sharon Ludwick of Hatteras, N.C.; his favorite cousin, Ola Austin of Manteo, N.C.; his fondest and most faithful friend, Alan Cogan of Norfolk; his dedicated physician, Dr. Barry Lubin; and a list of relatives and friends too lengthy to mention.

Mike declined both a funeral and a memorial service. He will be cremated and his family and select friends will distribute his ashes off Ocracoke Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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