Michael left us with the same quiet dignity he lived by. Michael spent his 70 years living life to the fullest. He packed his bags as a young man, leaving a banking job in England and set off for Canada with his two best friends, Jim Griffin and John Fowler. After a stint in a few of BC’s northern pulp mills the three friends discovered the beautiful Cowichan Valley, a lot less snow to shovel. They purchased land in Maple Bay and built their dream domes, yes that’s domes. Life took the three in different directions as life does. Michael created Magic Mountain Toys and Things in the late 70s and once he got a taste for self-employment, there was no turning back. He and his business partner and then wife, Janet, opened Excellent FrameWorks in Duncan adding the E.J. Hughes Gallery some years later. After 30 successful years the business was sold and he retired in 2015. Michael’s hobbies were collecting trains, loving his three adopted children, Greg, Jade (Dale) and Rodney (Angela) and thirteen grandchildren Cheyenne, Andrea, Alana, Keilah, Emma, Joshua, Jessica, Olivia, Nathanial, Fiona, Maia, Jenna and Julia. He was adored by his chosen family and will be missed beyond belief. He will also be missed by his sister, Sandra, brother-in-law, Pip, nephews Simon and Shaun and their families as well as his sister Julia in Vietnam and cousins in BC and the UK. Michael was a gentle man in every sense of the word. His beautiful energy will resonate with all of us who knew him. We all have secrets; Michael’s secret? He was a sky diver.
Much gratitude to Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Pewarchuk, Dr. Fazil, Dr. Moll, Dr.Gallagher and his amazing emergency room team and the “loving care” nurses in ICU.
Michael asked that donations to be made to the SPCA in his memory.
Join family and friends 2pm - 5pm, Sunday May 29th at the Heritage Hall, 246 Ingram Street. for a celebration, there will be refreshments.