Thread Number: 34840
/ Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Michael Hays has died |
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Post# 376039 , Reply# 1   7/28/2017 at 16:09 (2,460 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)   |   | |
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Very sad.I was one of several who visited and saw his amazing collection in his home & basement & garage and knew him as a great host and cook.With Mike I was able to see many flea markets,thrift stores and Great Vacuum Stores of Ohio(many now gone). Jimmy |
Post# 376040 , Reply# 2   7/28/2017 at 16:20 (2,460 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
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I remember when I first met Mike. It was in the beginning days of the VCCC (what we refer to now as the "old" VCCC). Mike was in the 'second' wave of members, after the first 12 met at Alex Taber's house.
Mike was the most outgoing, funny, knowledgeable person. He had a penchant for Lewyt Electronics, very early Kenmore PowerMate models, and Compacts. His Kenmore collection was very vast. Hans sent a very unique Kenmore canister from Mike's collection - a round canister with two 'trays' on a rolling cart. The trays hold cleaning cloths, furniture polish, and the attachments. I've only seen it in the catalog from the mid 1950's. It now sits with pride in the 1950's room of the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. Mike himself gave me a Royal upright model 1. I brought it to the 'old' VCCC convention in Milwaukee and demonstrated it for everyone. That was one of my favorite conventions of all time. It was Mike who talked the Ann Haynes from Hoover into letting the 'old' VCCC into the Vaults at the Hoover Factory. It there we saw a Constellation with an electric hose and power nozzle, as well as a clear Dimension 1000. I have all the pictures of the 'vaults' in the newsletter (that was in the days when the 'old' VCCC used to have a printed, color newsletter four times per year). No one else but Mike could have talked our way into the vaults, since they sat to the right of the research and development rooms. I don't think we were supposed to take pictures, but we did. The next year, I was President of the 'old' VCCC and we had our Convention in St. Louis. Mike helped with the first Cleaning Contest which was held in my living room at my home. That was the year that we met Tania Voigt and Craig Long. Mike had the most outrageous things to say - and we thought Tania would be horrified and probably leave. She didn't. She stayed, and she laughed. Mike could 'read your beads' but in a nice way (if that makes sense) so that no one was mad after he said it. I remember the first time I was at Mike's home. It was there that I saw the very first KitchenAid mixer (weighted like 50 pounds). As well as his 'double' central vac units he had tied together (two central vacs operating together at the same time through one pipe). He had vacuums everywhere, but they were all rare models you don't see anywhere else. I'm really going to miss him. He made the 'old' VCCC into the unique club that it was - so unlike anything today. It was before the days for forum, cell phone, internet, etc. When collectors were really excited to see each other and show their 'treasures'. When we were just a group of friends who enjoyed each others company. I'll never forget him. |
Post# 376045 , Reply# 3   7/28/2017 at 18:04 (2,460 days old) by pinkge (Indianapolis,Indiana)   |   | |
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a very fun person,from what I was told by several members.They told me stories,that made me laugh.He will be missed by those who knew him well.Rest in peace and I'm sure he is telling the angles how to vacuum and which vacuum will work best.What would one use on the clouds? |
Post# 376048 , Reply# 4   7/28/2017 at 19:52 (2,460 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB)   |   | |
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Post# 376051 , Reply# 5   7/28/2017 at 21:12 (2,460 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)   |   | |
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I'm sorry to hear that -- may he rest in peace. |
Post# 376054 , Reply# 6   7/28/2017 at 23:39 (2,460 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)   |   | |
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Post# 376057 , Reply# 7   7/29/2017 at 02:31 (2,460 days old) by fantomfan57 (Central Texas)   |   | |
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I am sorry for everyone's lost. Although I never met Mike, I can see he touched peoples lives. Being remembered fondly is a great achievement. You all lost a friend, and I am sorry for that. |
Post# 376061 , Reply# 8   7/29/2017 at 04:35 (2,460 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)   |   | |
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Post# 376095 , Reply# 10   7/29/2017 at 19:12 (2,459 days old) by Westinghouseman (Capron, Illinois, 13 miles due north of Belvidere, Illinois.)   |   | |
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Post# 376104 , Reply# 13   7/29/2017 at 23:58 (2,459 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)   |   | |
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So sorry to hear Mike is gone. I also had the privilege and pleasure of visiting with Mike in his home in Greenfield about 11 years ago along with Norm Brown and my son. I had never seen such a large collection before, not only vacuum cleaners but mixers and other kitchen appliances as well! And as Jimmy said, he was a great cook and host as well. He had prepared lunch for us consisting of sloppy joes, coleslaw, brownies, and I forget what all else, and we had to move some vacs out of the way before we could sit at the table to eat. He introduced me to a different way to eat sloppy joes, which was open-faced and topped with the coleslaw. just had to try one "Mike's way" and it was delicious! Had some great conversations during our visit as well. We were there most of the day but the time went by way too fast. He was a great guy and will truly be missed.
Jeff |
Post# 376132 , Reply# 15   7/30/2017 at 11:03 (2,459 days old) by Columbus (South-Africa)   |   | |
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Post# 376166 , Reply# 16   7/30/2017 at 22:26 (2,458 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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I've heard so many stories. I'll be sure to add his name and a brief story in our "In Memoriam" book. It is a book listing all of the deceased members of The V.C.C.C., the original vacuum collectors' club. It is always displayed with reverence at our conventions.
I'm sure he and Terry have a lot to talk about. Sleep in peace tonight, Mike. John, Vice President of the one and only V.C.C.C. |