Michael J. Giddings passed away peacefully at age 68 on November 5, 2012. He was born to Lloyd and Margaret Giddings in Portland on April 30, 1944. He graduated from David Douglas High School in 1962. He joined the Coast Guard after graduating and served for four years. In 1967, he married Marilyn Boice. He went to work for Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist. They had twin daughters, Michelle and Melissa and two years later a son, Jason. Mike went to work for Gunderson Brothers as a welder and later worked for E.V. Prentice Welding. He returned to Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist and moved to Hermiston, Oregon. He taught welding at Blue Mountain Community College. He quit Union Pacific Railroad and went to work for PGE at the Boardman Coal Fire Plant. After his marriage dissolved, he later moved back to Portland and went to work at the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. He worked at Trojan and then got a job at PGE's Fleet Major Maintenance Center in Tigard working as a Body and Fabrication worker. Mike remarried in 1992 to Sharon Knight. He added two step-children, Angela and Eric, to his family. Mike and Sharon celebrated 20 years of marriage in June of 2012. They shared eight grandchildren. After one year of marriage to Sharon, Mike was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite fatigue and balance issues, Mike was able to continue working at PGE until it became clear that it was harder for Mike to navigate and do his job safely. He had to quit the job he loved. Not one to sit around, Mike chose to volunteer. He chose Good Samaritan Hospital because of a positive stay at the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon that is located there. Mike volunteered two days a week for eight years. He had given 2,536 hours of his service. Mike's job at the hospital was in the main lobby and information desk. He helped people find their destination within the hospital either verbally or by wheelchair escort. Mike had the nickname "Hot Rod" by some at the hospital. And he said Sharon had a lead foot! Mike said he had the best job in the world because He could tell people where to go and get away with it!' He said "if he could make a person smile, he had done his job". He wanted them to become more at ease in coming to the hospital. He succeeded. Mike was a devoted Catholic and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in North Portland. His faith in God was first and foremost in his life. Despite only being able to use one hand for many years, Mike lived his life to the fullest. He lived his life with grace. He didn't complain or feel sorry for himself. Mike was positive and selfless. He was an inspiration to so many. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease. Mike had an infectious smile. He loved his family and friends. He was Sharon's sunshine and a bright light to so many. He is deeply missed, but is free of his disabilities. He is kicking up his heels once again.