Michael, a kind, thoughtful, considerate man, died gently, on June 24, 2021, at his chosen time, at home in Victoria BC, surrounded by the love of his wife of 55 years, Ann and daughter Julie (Tom Rooney) Stratford, ON. Born in Kirkburton, Yorkshire, England, October 18, 1938. Predeceased by his sister Linda. Survived by sister Judith, England, brother Robin (Jenny) Texas, his many in-laws, nieces and nephews in BC, Ontario, Texas and England and several English cousins.
He immigrated to Canada in 1962 to attend Mount Allison University, NB. For 30 years he worked as a respected environmental scientist at Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington Ontario, studying contaminants in our water. Mentoring young scientists gave him immense pleasure. A sabbatical year in 1987 at the Water Quality Centre in NZ was pivotal in his career; he made many new friends and got a taste for life in a moderate climate without mosquitoes! Retirement to Victoria in 1997 was the answer and he embraced the outdoor life. Early on, he joined the View Royal Garden Club and soon found himself their newsletter editor and eventually president. Over the years he opened his garden to visitors, where they could understand why he and Ann brought home trophies from the club’s shows. He treasured his 15 years as a volunteer in the RBC Museum’s native plant garden, for he loved learning and caring for their wide range of BC plants.
However, his weekly highlight (aside from Saturday’s G&M cryptic crossword) revolved around planning, leading and reporting on hikes for an eclectic, beloved group of outdoor enthusiasts, self-labelled ‘the Eccentrics’. He strived to have very few duplicate hikes throughout the year and every Monday they headed out rain or shine. It was a mutual admiration society.
He was a fine woodworker, a raconteur, an intellectual, a voracious reader, an opera and theatre lover who enjoyed craft beer, scotch and could bake a photo-worthy soufflé.
A green burial was a natural choice for him to make. It was held on June 30, 2021 at Royal Oak Burial Park Victoria, followed by an outdoor celebration of his life in Gorge Park. The BC Cancer Centre, the dedicated Community nurses Cindy, Meredith, and cohorts, the aptly named Hospice Palliative Response Team, supportive family, friends and neighbours, all helped fulfill his wish to live as long and comfortably as possible and die at home.
Ancient Forest Alliance was a favourite cause of his. ancientforestalliance.org
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Peter R. Hill
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cheryle and jim Ann, have thought of you and Michael so often since last seeing you …..always thinking it would be nice to have tea together again….and now very saddened to find that Michael has passed and was ill..do hope you are ok and know that we are thinking of you.
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Joyce and Ken Sturmey Our condolences to you and your family, Ann. He will be remembered by us for all that he did and accomplished as a member of the View Royal Garden Club. He will be very much missed. All the best, Joyce and Ken Sturmey
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Jim and Monica Maguire Michael was a dear friend, a kind and gentle man. A good man. I had known him since the mid-70s when I started work at Environment Canada’s National Water Research Institute in Burlington, Ontario. Michael was an excellent scientist in the field of environmental chemistry. He was a great mentor and an inspiration to many younger scientists because of his accomplishments, enthusiasm, inventiveness and optimism. He also had a wry and irreverent sense of humour which resonated with fans of Monty Python and Gary Larson’s “The Far Side”.
Michael had many other interests in life apart from science. He was a cultured man. In his retirement in Victoria, he had more time for nature, for hiking and gardening among other activities. He lived a life in full. I consider myself to have been very fortunate to have known Michael. He is the kind of person one remembers all one’s life.
Ann and Julie, we offer our deepest sympathy. We hope that you are comforted by warm, loving, memories of Michael.
Jim and Monica Maguire
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D. Lynn Pasula With heartfelt sympathy, Ann. Michael was a very wonderful person, I am so glad that our paths crossed. He will be remembered. Lynn and Ken Pasula
Michael Fox was a good friend of mine when we were attending Craigflower School in 1943-1947. I just happened to see his obituary on the internet. I had often wondered if Michael J Fox was a son or relative.
I now live in Pennsylvania (Amish Country). It is probably one of the most peaceful areas in the world today.
At 87 I am still living a full blessed life.
I wish whoever receives this, a Blessed Easter
Peter