The memory of one beloved City of Sequim staff member will continue to grow in Carrie Blake Community Park, 202 N. Blake Ave.

About 20 members of the community and city staff gathered Nov. 16 to honor the late Mike Brandt who retired as the city’s Public Works operations manager; Brandt died unexpectedly on Sept. 5.

City staff, including his son-in-law Gary Butler, helped plant a Spartan apple tree, one of Brandt’s favorites, as part of the city’s Arbor Day celebration near a swing set.

Mayor Dennis Smith read a proclamation and Brandt’s wife Patti spread her husband’s ashes in the roots of the new tree.

“Make it grow honey,” Patti Brandt said.

A plaque will be installed sometime this spring commemorating Mike Brandt, and a celebration of life will be announced in the near future, too.

The new tree also continues Sequim’s recognition as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Steve DeAlba, Ty Brown and Gary Butler finish planting an apple tree in honor of Patti Brandt’s husband Mike, who retired from the City of Sequim a few years ago and passed away in September. City staff honored Brandt as part of the city’s Arbor Day celebration. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Patti Brandt and her daughter Lori Butler watch as a tree is planted in honor of their husband and father Mike Brandt on Nov. 16 as part of the City of Sequim’s Arbor Day celebration. Mike retired with the city a few years ago as its Public Works Operations Manager. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash