On January 13, 2022, the world lost a wonderful person.  Michael was a husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle.  Michael passed away a few days shy of his 75th birthday.

 

Michael is survived by his wife Arlene; brother Anthony (Mary); daughters Maxine (Luke), and Clare (Alex); stepson Michael (Jacquelyn); granddaughters Elsie & Ella; niece Jessica; and nephew Joe.  He was predeceased by his father Michael, and mother Miranda.

 

Michael was born in Athens, Greece in January, 1947. He was only 2 when the family moved to Manchester, England in 1949.  It was there that his brother Anthony was born.

 

As a young man Michael played on the youth team of Manchester United.  He was a dedicated Manchester United fan, and looked forward to attending one or two games when he went home for a visit.

 

Michael was always ambitious and it came as no surprise when one day, early in 1976, he announced to his family the idea of leaving the UK and going to live in Canada.

 

Michael immigrated to Canada on June 21, 1976 with his wife Susan and daughters, Maxine (5) and Clare (2) and landed in Winnipeg. It was not long before they moved into a house on Lavenham Crescent, in Westdale before eventually moving to Stonewall where they lived for many years on a 22 acre plot on Winfield Road.

                                                                                  

He worked in the transportation industry in shipping and forwarding which meant that he travelled a lot both in and outside of Canada.  He later went into real estate where he enjoyed a 25 plus-year career.  One thing that stood out all his life was his ability to engage with people and make them feel as though they were the most important of all. Michael always had a way with words and could make people feel good. He was a born salesman.

 

Michael was always good at sports, especially football (soccer); baseball and tennis. He was on the Stonewall Football Team for many years.

 

Arlene met Michael in the summer of 1994, and they were married in May, 2006.  Their love for travel & cruising took them all over the world.  For the last 27 years, they enjoyed golfing, playing cards, tennis, and spending time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for January & February.  They made many friends from across Canada & the United States who would join them every year in Puerto Vallarta.  Michael also had many Mexican people that he became very close with over the years.

 

Michael & his mates Trevor (who passed away this November), Russell, David, Peter, and Colin, when he came to visit, could be found most Saturdays at The Grove cheering on their favourite football teams. Miles, the Owner of the Grove, made sure every Saturday or Sunday the restaurant was open so the boys could watch their football.

 

Michael officially became a Canadian citizen in March 2013, but always stated he will “Always be a Brit.”

 

A special poem he gave to Arlene on a silver card for her wallet: “When I tell you I love you, I don’t say it out of habit.  I say it to remind you that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.  No matter where you are, a part of me will always be with you.”    Love Michael

 

Thank you to all the Doctors, nurses and staff that took care of Michael on H6 & H7 at the Health Science Centre.

 

Donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

 

A private family gathering will be held at a later date.