Michael S. Bajger

Michael Bajger passed away Sunday, March 17, 2025 of pulmonary disease. Mike was born December 7, 1953 to James and Mary ( Cournoyer ) Bajger and grew up on a small farm in Sterling ,CT. Mike helped his father with chickens they raised for egg sales, picked corn, strawberries and tomatoes. His love of gardening lasted throughout his life as he and Rene' always had large gardens and even won blue ribbons at Fryeburg Fair. Growing up Mike was in Little League as well as Boy Scouts. He made Eagle Scout and later in life joked that he had never earned a merit badge in leather working. Following his years at the very small ( often 2 grades in one classroom ) Sterling Elementary School, Mike attended the much larger Plainfield High School where all the small surrounding schools sent their students. It was here, at fifteen, that he asked classmate Rene' Hutchinson to the Sophomore Hop. Graduating from PHS in 1971, Mike went to Providence College, graduating in 1975. A craft movement was sweeping the country during that time and Mike was fascinated by craftspeople making leather goods. He bought some Tandy kits and learned to make belts on weekends out in his father's garage. He sold them to college friends for "beer money". Note that the drinking age then was 18. He and a friend set up at the local Brooklyn and Woodstock Fairs in the summers. Following graduation, Mike and Rene' joined a craft guild that booked small craft shows throughout the Northeast. They did mall shows from Stowe , ME to Boca Raton, FL one season. It was while set up at the North Shore Shopping Ctr that they were approached by Richard Jones and invited to come and have a summer shop at Attitash Mountain. The mountain was building an Alpine Slide and wanted a " craft village " at the base. It actually happened and the couple maintained that seasonal shop for ten years. The couple married in 1977 and honeymooned for five weeks in Danvers MA. Yes, of course, working a Christmas season mall show. Reality honeymoon. This stint landed them seed money to open a small shop on Main St in North Conway. For 15 years they occupied the small building adjacent to the baptist church. They relocated to the beautiful gambrel building they currently occupy and have enjoyed the following 32 years there. The couple were fortunate in having the off season in which to travel. Paris was a favorite place having gone there twice during high school ( Rene's father and Mike's sister joined as chaperones ). They also visited China twice, hosted by former employee Susan (Sorensen) Hammond and her husband Cameron . They loved Hawaii, especially Maui and Mike always drove the Hana Highway. They toured Italy, Costa Rica, and drove cross country to Wyoming twice. Tai chi was one of Mike's most consuming involvements. Being a participant of Taoist Tai Chi , USA led him to instruct sessions locally for twenty years. He served on the Branch Council for the New England Branch. Instructing requires continuous certification, and the couple attended retreats ( workshops ) in Tallahassee and Dunedin FL, Longueuil Canada, Miami, Costa Rica, and France. Our tai chi family has been a great source of community and support. Mike was predeceased by his parents and sisters Maureen (infant) and Joyce ( Bajger ) Kohlasch. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Rene ( Hutchinson ) Bajger, brother Richard Bajger and his wife Janice of Newmarket, NH, niece Maureen ( Bajger) Hartley and her husband Stephen of Hampton, NH , nephew Stephen Bajger and,his wlfe Erin and their sons Jakob and Nickolaus, and their daughter Mackenzie, her husband Nickolas, and their 4 children , of Newmarket, NH. Also, he leaves brothers in-law Wayne Hutchinson and wife Debra of Hanover, CT, Carl Hutchinson of Plainfield, CT, Clay Hutchinson of Plainfield, CT, nieces Nicole Hutchinson of Hartford, CT, Kiya Hutchinson of St. Petersburg, FL , Kristen ( Hutchinson ) Hollander, her husband Ayden, and her son Trystan Powers of Groton, NY. A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 4-6pm at Furber Funeral Home in North Conway. The Beggars Pouch Leather will also be open all day Friday to welcome those who can stop by and visit, share a memory or photo. Grateful thanks to the Beggars Pouch Leather crew ( both present and past ), and our tai chi family for all their support and help. Thank you loyal customers. You may send donations in Mike's memory to Way Station, PO Box 1888, North Conway, NH 03860.