Community pays tribute to Mike Seaver, late owner of Shay’s in Albion

Seaver helped foster a new generation of local rock and rollers

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A photo of the late Mike Seaver, owner of the Shay’s bar on Main Street in Albion, is on display today at the Carlton Rec Hall for a big party in honor of Seaver.

He was 69 when he passed away on Sept. 20. Seaver didn’t have an obit or a funeral. He preferred to stay out of the limelight.

But a longtime friend Mike Whiting organized the big party today. Whiting organized open mic nights at Shay’s for a decade. He said Seaver helped launch some of the local bands by giving them their first chance to play in public and build their confidence,

The celebration for Seaver included many mementos from Shay’s included this restored guitar by Mike Whiting. White, shown here at right, joined in the open mic music. Here he is playing with the band, Lonesome Road.

Whiting said when he turned 21, he went to Say’s for a beer. Seaver was the bartender and the two struck up a good conversation. They became good friends.

Seaver had a karaoke machine in the bar, and welcomed the chance for musicians to perform in open mic nights and also in concerts.

“He was a big proponent of the local music scene,” Whiting said at today’s party for Seaver. “Many local bands were birched at Shay’s. He helped create the Orleans County collective. We didn’t realize the talent we had right here.”

Whiting also became close with Jessi Snyder, a bartender at Shay’s, and the two are now married.

Jessi worked with Seaver for 11 years.

“He had a heart of gold,” she said. “He looked intimidating but after talking to him a  few minutes, you really liked him.”

The band Lonesome Road performs during the open mic at the Carlton Rec hall this afternoon. From left in front include Robert Williams on bass/vocals, Alex Fitzak from the band Vette, Todd Colegrove on guitar/lead vocals and Mike Whiting on guitar/vocals.

The big interior sign from Shay’s was on display at today’s benefit, as well as other Shay’s flags and banners.

Tom Irwin and Seaver have been close friends for about 50 years. They were the best man in each other’s weddings.

Seaver worked as a bartender at Shay’s  for about 30 years before taking over the business from Bill Shay. The business was hurt by Covid and restrictions on crowd sizes. It hasn’t open to the public for about four years.

Many of the shot glasses and mementos were for sale at today’s party.

Irwin said Seaver was the heart and soul of the place.

“He was a very talkative person, just like his mother,” Irwin said. “People came in to see him.”

Seaver enjoyed seeing the younger adults come in for karaoke and the live music in the last 20 years.

“He kept rock and roll alive in Albion,” Irwin said.

There were 52 gift baskets up for raffle during the party and celebration of Seaver. Lori Laine collected the baskets for the event. She said Seaver opened up Shay’s to a rock painting group led by Laine. They would meet there from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Seaver liked chatting with the group and appreciated that they brought him home-cooked food, Laine said.

Proceeds from today’s event go to Seaver’s wife Ange to help with expenses.

These musicians in front include Dylan DeSmit, Mike “Thunder” Warren and John Borello. They were among the people rocking out in tribute today for Mike Seaver, owner of Shay’s in Albion.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Seaver and Jessi Whiting are shown in this photo from Aug. 13, 2016 during a “Sip N Stroll” when Shay’s joined 13 other locations in a wine-tasting. Shay’s served ice pops from Lake Effect Ice Cream at The Shamrock (Shay’s).

Whiting said she was thrilled to see a big crowd, at least 150 people in the first two hours of today’s party.

“He didn’t want a funeral but this is our way of saying thank you and good bye,” she said.

Many of Seaver’s family attended the celebration and they were serving food in the kitchen.

Seaver’s sister Donna Halladay came from California with her daughter Samantha. Halladay provided pizza and hot dogs, and headed up the kitchen staff made up of Seaver’s family. Many of them also were part of putting on events and holidays at Shay’s over the years, Mike Whiting said.

“Donna used to make some homemade salsa and chips that were famous at the bar!” Whiting said. “Whenever she was in town visiting, you could always count on those being on hand at the bar, always at no charge!”

Other family members from Orleans County who helped in the kitchen include Vicki Juckett, sister; Melissa Hope, niece; Barry Hope, nephew; Eileen Manning, cousin; and George Manning, cousin.

“Vicki and George were very active with Mike’s life at the bar,” Whiting said. “George even used to help host a video game night called ‘Halo Night’ where we would all play the game Halo 2 on Xbox with Mike for hours! Mike loved that game!”