September 18, 1936-January 14, 2016
Mike is survived by his wife and partner of 34 years, Linda, sons Scott (Sherry) and Michael Jr., daughters Wendy and Carmen (Sean), nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, nephew Steven, niece Melissa, and his beloved cat Tonchie.
Mike had a long and varied career in the aviation industry, flying many types of aircraft, on floats, skiis, and wheels, as well as co-pilot on Cessna Citation 500. He received his pilots license in 1955, and flew commercially until his retirement in 1995. Beginning in Ontario, he worked in many of the eastern provinces and territories, including Quebec, Labrador and Newfoundland, before moving his young family west to Campbell River in the mid 1960s.
Mike was a “jack of all trades” and avid outdoor enthusiast. Always busy, he built houses, hiked, biked and generally loved the outdoors. In 2003, he completed the “Great Walk” from Tahsis to Gold River with his friend Klaus.
He also held a ticket as a “Tool and Die Maker”, and when not flying, worked in that trade for one of the Engineering outfits in Campbell River.
Mike loved to travel and along with Linda, had visited many countries, Peru, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Egypt, most of Europe, China, Tibet, Greece, Turkey, Singapore, Antarctica, and The Amazon to name a few. Many winters were spent in Mexico, enjoying the warm Mexican sunshine and comradery of friends.
Mike was an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, and will be forever missed and loved, especially by his wife Linda.
Mike donated his brain to the UBC clinic for Alzheimer Disease at UBC Hospital.
Donations can be made in Mike’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
A private gathering was held for Mike on Jan 17, 2016.
A Celebration of Life for Mike will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2016, 1:00pm at the Gowland Harbor Resort on Quadra Island.