Mike Andrew, Sr. was born to Anna and Alex Panelek on April 23, 1935.  He has a sister, Mary Tallekpalek, and a brother, Wassillie Andrew; both currently live in Levelock, Alaska. 

Mike was born and raised on the Alagnak River, also know as Branch River.  There he was kept busy daily with hauling wood, packing water, and cleaning house.  As a kid he loved to go fishing and hunting along the river.  Mike found that there was always some type of game to be caught.  He would often try and sneak out of his house to play, but his mother always seemed to find him and make him do all of his chores before he could run off.  Mike recalls that he always had fun trying to hide from his parents and sneak away from his chores.

When Mr. Andrew turned 15 he began commercial fishing in Bristol Bay.  He was employed as a setnetter and said he spent most of his early seasons watching and learning how it was all done.  Mike continued to fish in Bristol Bay every summer until 1992, when he retired and sold his fishing permit to his youngest son Michael Andrew Jr.

In 1960 Mike married Dallia Gregory from Igiugig.  Together they had three children.  Alex "Smiley" Andrew (now deceased), Trefim Andrew, and Michael Andrew, Jr.  They raised their three boys in Branch River and then Igiugig. 

Now, with all the free time at his disposal Mike enjoys playing his accordion.  Mike taught himself how to play the accordion when he was 7 or 8 years old.  His mom had an accordion and one day he decided he would try it out.  It took him many months to become good at it and ever since then he could not quit playing. He said studying the instrument was hard work, but fun at the same time.  While he was learning, Michael just kept telling himself to not give up because something good would eventually come out of it. In the summer of 1965, Michael finally made good with his newfound skill. Mike was invited to play for 500 people at a picnic in Eagle River.  He and four other people played for 5 hours straight and everyone there had a great time dancing and singing - Mike's accordion skills were the life of the party.  Mike plays his accordion on New Year's Eve and the annual 4th of July parties in Igiugig and the whole community enjoys dancing to his wonderful music.  Besides playing his accordion Mike still remains active and enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his three grandchildren, Shaun, Camille, and Kyle Andrew

Mike, Dallia, and son Smiley circa 1964.

Mike and his son Trefim, and his accordian, around 1966.

Mike in an Anchorage hospital in the 1960's (left) and with a pike caught in the Kvichak River in 1996.