Mike Apsey passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday, September 1, after a lengthy struggle with dementia. Happily, Mike never lost his ability to recognize his beloved wife, Sharon, who was with him the day he passed, or his immediate family.
Born in Vernon. BC, Mike graduated from the University of British Columbia’s Forestry Department in 1961 and over the next four decades became one of Canada’s most influential and respected forestry professionals. He began his career in the provincial government’s Department of Industrial Development, Trade and Commerce, before being recruited as an analyst for Vancouver based forestry company Macmillan Bloedel. In 1968 he travelled to Turkey with his wife and young children to work for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to prepare a long-range development plan for that nation’s pulp and paper industry. Returning to B.C. in 1970, he served as a vice president of the Council of Forest Industries and then worked for a time with F.L.C. Reed and Associates. During the 1970’s he again took his family on a two-year international adventure, this time to South America, to Colombia, to assist in the development of that country’s fledgling forest industry.
In 1978, Mike became the Deputy Minister of Forests for British Columbia, a position he held until 1984. Leaving that post, he took on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Forest Industries of B.C, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. In retirement, Mike remained active, attending numerous speaking engagements and serving on various committees, including the National Forest Strategy Coalition, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and the Tree Canada Foundation. During this period, with the encouragement and collaboration of Ken Drushka, a friend and colleague of many years, and a distinguished author, Mike published his memoir, titled “What’s All This Got To Do With The Price of 2 X 4’s?”
Mike’s dedicated service to B.C.’s forest services earned him several honours, including the Rielle Thomson Award, the Chevalier de l”Ordre du Merite Agricole from the Government of France, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Government of Canada, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC. In 2002 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. Mike will be remembered by those who knew him for his many achievements, but also, and perhaps especially, for his wonderful sense of humour. Included with the pictures of his loved ones on the walls of his room were several caricatures of him produced over the years by cartoonist, Roy Peterson. These continued to give him the greatest pleasure and never failed to produce his infectious smile when visitors took note of them.
Mike was predeceased by his sister, Bette, and is survived by his wife, Sharon, daughters, Susan (Ray) Sandrin, Jill (Pat) Apsey, and grandchildren, Farrah (Mitch) Denton, Tom (Kallie) Sandrin, and Michael Sandrin, and brother-in-law, John (Pam) Meagher.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Selkirk Seniors Centre for their thoughtful and professional care of Mike during his illness. A family gathering to celebrate Mike’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C., www.giving@alzheimerbc.org
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Astrid Doidge
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Tina (Wood) Oliver Dearest Sharron and family, as well as Mike’s many friends and admirers, the world has lost a true blue forestry giant and an incredible man, whose humour, intelligence and kindness leave a profound sense of gratitude in my life. His professional life with my dear father, Bob Wood, their enduring friendship was truly a bromance. Mike would regale me with hilarious stories of their antics when roommates in Victoria back in the 70’s drafting BC’s Long Range Forestry Legislation Act. It was a greatly treasured friendship, hopefully they are together plotting and planing heaven’s great forests in peace. My sincere condolences for your loss of this gentle giant. “I thanked the Author of my being for the gift of that wild forest, those green mansions where I had found so great a happiness!” William Henry Hudson
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Brian Warburton My Condolences to Sharon and Family. I knew Mike when we worked at the Bureau of Economics & Statistics. It has been a long time since the three of us hoisted a few beers. RIP Mike.
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Anita Dadson Dear Sharon,
I am so sorry to learn of you husband’s passing and thinking of you at this difficult time. What a wonderful life he led and will be remembered so fondly by so many.I have thought of you often since you moved to the Island and our years working for the Liberals. My efforts are somewhat limited now what with old age creeping in but still am enjoying life. My son, David is living with me now so that has been a great help.
All my best to you and your family,
Anita
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Diane Talbot Sharon and family – Dave and I were saddened to hear about Mike’s passing. I worked in the executive office when Mike was the Deputy Minister of Forests. When he could, Mike would join us at coffee – he always had a good story to tell and he had a great sense of humour. After he left, it was always a pleasure to see him at our annual “Ye Olde Executive” lunches. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
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ralph roberts Mike’s interest and involvement in helping to match Canadian capabilities to developing country needs was significant and much appreciated at home and abroad over his professional life. We could have should have would have written a wonderful book of our adventures!
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Michael Rosen My sincerest condolences to Sharon and family on Mike’s passing. I knew Mike through Tree Canada, as I was the Vice-President when he was Chair of the Board from 2002-4. I was sad when his annual Christmas phone messages stopped coming and when I learned of his illness. His accomplishments in forestry are well known, as were his accomplishments as a person: the eternal optimist, bon-vivant and (by his own admission) “larger than life” persona are attributes I will carry with me.
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Susan Lewis My condolences to Sharon and the family. Mike worked with my husband Hartley off and on for years. I was sorry to hear of his passing. Hartley died with dementia as well. It is a hard road. May God comfort you and bless you in your grief.
Susan Lewis
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Dan Chapotelle As popular as he was he never let it go to his head, always warm and friendly
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Ethne & Hon. Roy Cullen, PC Our sincere condolences to Sharon and family. In addition to his enormous contribution to the forestry sector in BC and Canada, Mike was a great story-teller – like the time when he and Sharon witnessed a runaway car while in Rome when he worked with the FAO; also, his discussions with forestry officials in China about personnel head-counts in both jurisdictions while on a trade mission to the PRC ; and so many others. I had the honour and pleasure to work with Mike in the BC Ministry of Forests for a number of years, and he inspired me to continue with my career in public service. May he rest in peace.
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Sandy Peel To Mile’s family and many friends, I offer my sincere condolences. I knew Mike well as a fellow Deputy Minister and as co-chair of the Deputy Minister’s Committee on Economic Development and later as Chair of the B.C. Forest Resources Commission. He was a true friend and will be greatly missed.
Sandy Peel
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Dirk Brinkman Sending our very best to Sharon and family. Mike’s pragmatic win-win legacies balancing business and forest sustainability across Canada deserves high praise. His policy grasp of how to integrate citizen stakeholder interest in forest industry use of public forests was so vivid, when he taught through his treasure trove of stories he could neatly whet his dramatically delivered and humourous punchlines along the way. His encouragement, good will and humour has been very much appreciated and will not be forgotten. He is missed.
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Mike Monroe Sincere condolences to Sharon and family.Such a loss to family and to society when this kind of special wisdom passes. Thinking of you and please be assured you are not alone . I am so proud to have been a part of your life!
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Keith Monroe Condolences to all the Apsey families. We are very proud to be related to cousin Mike. He was so respected and influential in the BC Forestry industries and made a significant difference to BC forest policies. Rest In Peace Mike. You made your mark!
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Sheilagh Foster Many hugs Sharon, Susan and Jill! I am saddened by your loss and mine. I’ll bet Mike he’s still admiring the forests of the world and feeling that he could make some good policies to enhance them. My heart is with you all. Love Sheilagh
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Peter Apsey Our Condolences to Sharon and Family at this sad time. Thank you all for making our visit in 2009 so memorable. Mike, your generosity, kindness, humour and family knowledge was most appreciated and has never been forgotten. We are proud of your achievements, which reflect a life well spent.
Well done Mike, now ‘Rest in Peace’.
With Love and Thanks, from the ‘Apsey’ Family in the Home Country.
Mike and I both started our Government jobs in the Industrial Development, Trade, and Commerce Department. Being a year older than him, I found the coffee breaks something to look forward – his humor was the best part. I worked with Mike as a Stenographer the whole time he was in the Department. All the men where so kind to the Secretary (Joyce) and I, especially Mike and Brian Warburton. So many memories – even at our young ages, he encouraged me to become a Secretary – which I did 20 years later years in the Ministry of Health, after my son and daughter graduated from school. I’m sure he will get his well earned rewards in heaven, because he was such a good guy. I am proud to have known him early in our careers.
Astrid Doidge