Michael Ham, a well-known Portland High School grad, who overcame hardships in his life and went on to study engineering at Southern Maine Community College, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 36.

Mr. Ham grew up in Portland’s Munjoy Hill neighborhood, the son of Warren and Joanne Ham. He was a popular student at Portland High and a standout on the school’s football team. His obituary, which is published in Thursday’s newspaper, says he once scored the winning touchdown during a Thanksgiving Day game. It also says he continued playing semipro ball after he graduated.

Mr. Ham put college on hold and began working as a carpenter, on construction projects throughout Southern Maine and Massachusetts. His work eventually led him to California, where he worked and lived for about six years.

“He was a workaholic,” his mother said. “He enjoyed the work and took pride in his work.”

There, his life took a dramatic turn. His mother spoke openly Wednesday about the day he was assaulted and robbed in San Francisco in 2008. His mother said he suffered a massive head injury, which caused him to become deaf. She said he faced his situation with strength and positivity.

“He didn’t look at it like a disability,” his mother said. “He handled it a lot better than I did. It didn’t keep him down. He stayed positive. He continued with school. He was still enjoying life. He had this thing about him … nothing was going to keep him down.”

Mr. Ham attended classes for the deaf in San Diego. He eventually received a cochlear implant and moved back to Maine to attend SMCC to study engineering. He was expected to graduate next year.

Mr. Ham was remembered by family and friends as a strong, resilient and loyal guy, who often reached out to help others. On Thursday afternoon, his Facebook page was loaded with stories and photos of him. One friend, Michael Smith, said it was Mr. Ham who helped him overcome difficulties.

“Mike was one of the most charismatic and influential people I knew,” Smith wrote. “He was great looking and a great athlete when I was young. Mike was truly my own personal Michael Jordan – he was one of my heroes.”

Mr. Ham’s mother said he was there when friends and family needed help.

“People always loved (having) him around because he was so joyful and smiling all the time,” she said. “He would offer his help to anyone who needed it. People would call him if they needed a ride or needed help moving. He was very good with his family.”

In addition to his parents, Mr. Ham is survived by his sons, Issac and Michael Ham, and his sister, Melissa Ham.

He died Saturday after he collapsed at his uncle’s house in Portland. Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of his death.

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