Michael Helm Sr., a Springs resident active in the community for more than 50 years, died at home on Church Lane on Aug. 17 "surrounded by four women who loved him," Hillary Helm Howarth, his daughter, said. He was 80 and had been diagnosed with advanced leukemia two weeks before his death.
A self-employed portfolio manager who moved to Springs year round in 1966, Mr. Helm was a member of the East Hampton Lions Club for 45 years, served on the vestry at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, was a member of American Legion Post 419, and sponsored a Little League team, the Helmsmen, in the 1970s.
In addition, he helped run blood drives for 50 years, played Santa Claus at schools and organizations here, and "could be found opening clams at almost every local fair," according to his daughter, who lives in Portland, Ore. He volunteered with the Wounded Warrior Project, accompanying veterans on trips to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial.
Michael Helm was born on Oct. 17, 1939, in New York City to George Washington Helm and the former Hildegard Ault. He grew up in New York City and East Hampton, where his mother had a house on Jefferys Lane, and always considered East Hampton his home.
At age 9, he started boarding school at the Gunnery, now the Frederick Gunn School, in Washington, Conn. He attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., and joined the Air Force Reserve in the 1960s. He worked at the Bonino Gallery in New York City before moving to Springs. He married Penny Davis, who survives, on July 16, 1967.
An enthusiastic boater and fisherman who lived on Three Mile Harbor for 50 years, he was known to many as Captain Mike. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous in the early 1990s and sponsored many local members on their path to sobriety. "He found great meaning, purpose, and friendships through A.A.," his daughter said. He stopped attending meetings only because he had become hard of hearing in recent years.
He collected artworks, many by local artists, and enjoyed books about spirituality, religion, and philosophy, but his inquiring mind was "matched by a silly sense of humor that could brighten any situation," Ms. Howarth said.
In addition to his wife and daughter, a son, Michael Helm Jr. of Key West, Fla., survives, as do four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Laura Ault Helm, is deceased.
A private graveside service was held at Green River Cemetery in Springs on Monday, the Rev. Robert Griffin officiating. Mr. Helm's ashes were also scattered in Three Mile Harbor.
"Mike will be remembered as a wise, kind, silly, generous, and humble man by family, friends, and the East Hampton community," his daughter said. The four women who were at his bedside when he died were his wife, his daughter, Alissa Davis Mulligan, his niece, and Jill Kremm, his former daughter-in-law.
The family has suggested donating blood or making a charitable contribution to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at donate.lls.org.
