You always were welcome in Mike Starcevich’s library.

Commonly known as Starc, he often greeted students and teachers with a grin and a friendly “Good morning!” no matter the time of day.

Fittingly, that was the greeting for hundreds who gathered at a memorial service for Starc on Wednesday at Powell High School.

“Good morning. It feels good to say those words at 4:30 in the afternoon,” said Tim Fagnant, a friend and colleague.

Starc died of a heart attack at his home in Powell on Oct. 25 at the age of 58.

“He attended a couple of volleyball games (that day), as he often did, so he thoroughly enjoyed himself right to the very end,” said Dave Starcevich, his brother.

Angela Starcevich, his wife, said he had a family history of heart issues.

“He took excellent care of himself, eating right and exercising,” she said. “Genetics won out, though.”

For 28 years, Starc worked as a middle and high school librarian in Powell, befriending hundreds of students and teachers. He retired from Powell High School a couple of years ago.

Many in Powell knew him only as Starc — pronounced with a soft “c.”

“To me, to hear someone call him Mike is so rare,” said Troy Hildebrand, a friend and coworker. “For everyone in this school and district, Starc was all we ever heard.”

Students and teachers went to the school library not only for books or to use a computer, but to see Starc.

“Starc’s library was a safe haven for many of us,” said Scott McKenzie, a friend and coworker.

“Whether it was a place to vent frustration, a place to gain advice, a place to relax or feel loved, we always went to him.”

Former students echoed that sentiment.

“I don’t think you could find a single student that passed through PHS that didn’t love this man,” wrote Dakota Leigh Jones in a Facebook post. “His library was a place of solace for me, and many others, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Ron Laird, a friend and former athletic director at PHS, said that he often confided in Starc when he faced tough decisions.

“Starc always had a good point of view, and it was well thought-out,” Laird said. “I knew I could trust him.”

Starc was humble and preferred to be in the background, Laird said. But when he needed to speak up for his coworkers or students, he always did.

“Starc was in your corner,” said Hildebrand. “If you needed something, he was the guy to go to. He had your back, and he didn’t want the attention for it.”

Hildebrand called Starc “a defender of everyone in this district — students and teachers alike.”

Starc also supported and advocated for students who struggled in school or at home, Fagnant said.

“He made everyone — everyone — feel like they were special and deserved attention,” he said.

In the days following his death, it’s been clear that many friends, relatives, coworkers and students felt loved and valued by Starc.

“Hopefully he knows how many lives he touched,” said Angela Starcevich in an email to the Tribune.

“The stories and comments from hundreds of former students have made us so incredibly proud of the legacy he left.

“It’s an inspiration for all of us to treat others with the sincere heart that he did.”

The family has been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the community, she said.

Originally from Butte, Mont., Starc moved to Powell in the 1980s and loved it here, said Dave Starcevich.

An avid fan of the Powell Panthers and Northwest Trappers, Starc will be missed at local sporting events, McKenzie said. Starc often walked the streets of Powell and frequented the handball courts at Northwest College, Hildebrand said.

“He would whip you nine ways from Sunday at handball and then he was so humble that you would feel good about the beating you just took,” he said.

Starc was a lot more talented at a number of things than he would ever let on, Hildebrand said.

Laird closed his remarks during Wednesday’s service by addressing Angela and the couple’s two children, David and Mikala.

“He was so proud of each of you and honestly loved you so very much,” Laird said.

“He demonstrated to you how to live a good life,” Laird told David and Mikala. “He was so kind, so honest and sincere … I’m sure the two of you will carry on that legacy.”