Friday, November 25, 2022
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Mike was like a second father to me. We met 5 years ago at the St. Regis Toronto. We worked closely together for 3 years. He was a mentor to me and I’m so lucky our paths crossed. He made my life so much less stressful with his kindness, humour, joy and passion for life. I consider it a blessing that he was around. He taught me what It’d be like to be a great husband, father, and grandfather. He spoke about Nancy, his daughters and grandchildren more than anyone could ever know. One day I hope to experience all three of those things in my life and I will always use his wisdom to approach my life in the way he did. He kept things simple. He just enjoyed having a bud-light by the pool, sitting in the sun, and watching his grandchildren play around. I called him one Friday when he was off work and he was so darned happy to be by his pool in Markham - as happy as could be. I want to be just to be just like him one day.
After we stopped working together, we still met once a month for lunch, and spoke on the phone much more often than that. In my times of stress and concern I could always call on Mike to make my day better. He had this way about him that made people feel good. I always knew I could call him, and he’d answer. I always felt better after getting off the phone with him. He kept things simple and happy. He just knew what living a good life was like. I’m so sad he is gone, it’s a big void to fill in my own life, but I know that if I wasn’t living my life in the ways he thought I should, he’d be telling me (without actually telling me anything) to relax. I loved Mike. I’m not sure I ever told him that, and I don’t think he ever knew how much positive impact he had on my life, but I hope he knew how much he meant to me.
I sit here in sadness, but I know he’d want me to to keep living and loving, in the ways he did. Goodbye Mike, love ya.
Tyler
