By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Aug. 22, Laura Riposo Hackney presented the first annual “Learn to Fish” day at Mike’s Pond in Erieville in memory of her son Michael Hackney, 26, who was tragically killed in 2016.
Hackney grew up in Erieville and graduated from Morrisville High School in 2009. He attended Mohawk Valley Community College and was enlisted in the Army National Guard in Syracuse.
He was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing and for sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.
Prior to his death, Hackney channeled his love of nature and his entrepreneurial spirit into the creation of Mixed Company Outdoors, a Rochester-based hunting and fishing guide service.
Hackney’s brother Gavin now runs the Mixed Company Outdoors Facebook group with the goal of providing a platform for people to share their outdoor experiences such as hunting, fishing and camping.
“The best thing about the people that you meet [when you’re] out and about in the woods or on the lake is no one sees race or color; we are just people sharing the same interests,” the Facebook page says. “I think there is no better way of bonding [than] the outdoors with your friends and making new ones and stories along the way.”
In 2017, Hackney’s family created “Mike’s Pond,” an outdoor memorial that now includes a stocked pond, a “serenity” trail and gardens.
Through Hackney’s memorial page on Facebook, the family announced its vision for the property.
“We hope this is a place where people can come to connect with nature and remember Mike, and if you need a place to celebrate your own loved ones, this is the place to do so,” the post said. “We encourage anyone who wants to come and fish or hang out outdoors to come spend time here (please just contact us in advance).”
Riposo Hackney — along with family, friends and other volunteers — presented the Learn to Fish event to honor Hackney, to bring attention to Mike’s Pond, and to educate the next generation of outdoorsmen/women in a fun, socially distanced manner.
According to Riposo Hackney, the event was a great success.
“Not being a very organized person, it was amazing how awesome the event turned out to be,” she said. “Only one kid that I know of did not catch a fish, and he was [busy] playing . . . Some of [Mike’s] fishing buddies from Rochester came to help. Many people helped [make it possible].
The event was offered to the community free of charge.
“[It was] all done in love to keep Mike’s spirit alive and to help do good in the world,” Riposo Hackney said. “Everybody should have a soft place to fall. My mom died of ALS and 10 months later my son was killed. Ten months [after that,] my dad died unexpectedly, though he was 92. I had three good friends die also . . . Hopefully Mike’s Pond will be able to help many people in many different ways. We have a sandy beach for kids to play at and a serenity trail [leading up] to the pond.”
Riposo Hackney said she hopes to do at least one free learn to fish day a year, along with a fundraising event to facilitate the continued maintenance and enhancement of Mike’s pond.
“We are always appreciative of any help we get, whether it is prayers, weeding, planting, or financial contributions,” Riposo Hackney said. “We are hoping to build a pavilion next summer. All of this has been built in love.”
To support Mike’s Pond, “like” the Michael Hackney’s Memorial Page on Facebook or make a donation to the Michael Hackney Memorial Fund at Community Bank, 48 Albany St. in Cazenovia.
