Michael C. Hall, who loved working on big engines, was driven by a big engine — his heart.

“He was the best father ever to my wife,” said his son-in-law, Jason Courter. He also said, “If you met him for a day, it was like you were his family.”

Mr. Hall, known to friends and family as “Mike,” died in Colonie on Sunday, June 19, 2016 of complications from exposure to asbestos. He was 74.

“Michael crossed the rainbow bridge to join friends, family, and pets that passed before him,” his family wrote in a tribute.

Mr. Courter explained that his father-in-law “always had a lot of animals — he especially loved Irish setters,” and, when one of them died, the veterinarian would send a lovely poem about crossing the rainbow.

Mr. Hall was born on Aug. 2, 1942 in Edwards, New York to the late James Hall and Dorothy Cleland. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1959. Then, in 1960, he joined the United States Air Force.

He was stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Maine as part of the 42nd Bombardment Wing from 1960 to 1964. He worked there as an engine mechanic and crew chief for B-52s and KC-135s.

After his service, Mr. Hall moved to Colonie and worked at General Electric in Schenectady as a machinist. “He worked on large turbines for power plants. He loved his job,” said his son-in-law. Mr. Hall retired from General Electric after 40 years.

When he moved to Knox with his family, he enjoyed being in the country and having horses and plenty of animals around him, his family wrote. “He spent countless hours as a dedicated horse-show dad, traveling to shows with the love of his life, his daughter, Beth,” the tribute says.

Mr. Hall became a member of the Knox Volunteer Fire Company where he held many officer posts over more than 30 years of volunteering. He was also an active member of the Voorheesville Rod and Gun Club, a social member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Altamont and of the Altamont American Legion Post, where he was a local fixture serving as a bartender for many years.

“He was there every Friday and Saturday night,” said Mr. Courter.

Mr. Hall had many interests and hobbies, including golfing, bowling, traveling, watching NASCAR races, and camping at Watkins Glen each year.

He had a lifelong love of cars. After he retired from General Electric, he worked as a cashier at the Sunoco in Altamont and his blue Corvette was a familiar site in the village.

He loved to spend time with his grandson, Brodyn, and to watch him play baseball.

“Most of all, Mike will be remembered for his generous and kind nature,” his family wrote.

“If he saw someone by the side of the road that needed help, even if he didn’t know them, he would stop and help, change their tire or whatever they needed,” said Mr. Courter.

“What I learned from him,” he went on, “was to be a lot kinder. He would take the time to teach you things. He was patient.”

His family’s tribute concluded, “He was able to make friends everywhere he went and was always thought of fondly and is considered by most to have been like a brother or father.”

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Michael C. Hall is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his brother, James Hall, and his wife, Janet; his sister, Carol Hall; his daughter, Elizabeth Courter, and her husband, Jason; his grandson, Brodyn Courter; his sister-in-law, Diane Wells; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His brother, John Hall, died before him as did his sister Cathy Wilkinson.

A service for family and close friends will be held on Friday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at Christ’s Episcopal Church at 15 West High st. in Ballston Spa, at the corner of Route 50 and High Street.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m. at the Knox firehouse on the Berne-Altamont Road, Route 156, in the hamlet of Knox. Saturday’s service, the family wrote, will be “more casual and open to the public. Please come share Mike’s life and memories. There will be food and a memory journal for everyone to sign. In lieu of flowers, a collection will be taken for the Knox firehouse and the ladies’ auxiliary, who have helped our family so much during this painful time.”

— Melissa Hale-Spencer