Michael Lewis Dawson

Michael (Mike) Lewis Dawson was born Dec 9th 1939 to Gwynydd (nee Watson) And Geoffery Dawson in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mike passed peacefully Sunday, February 19th 2023 after unexpectedly suffering a stroke the previous Monday. Mike is survived by his wife and best friend Jo Anne (Nee Clift) and children, Michelle (Lou), and Nadine (Mike), grandchildren, Rayne and Dawson and siblings (Tony, Geoffrey, Ken, and Judy). He is predeceased by his best friend Doug Schop who we are sure is regaling him with stories of his kidney stones once again!

Mike moved to Victoria BC with his family when he was seven where they lived in his favourite home in Oak Bay which likely led to his love of architecture. He moved around a lot but stayed on Vancouver Island for several years. Mike met his future bride Jo Anne in 1959 and they have been together 64 years, married since May 22nd, 1965. Mike and Jo Anne lived in North Vancouver for 44 years before moving to North Delta in 2011 to be closer to their grandchildren.

In 1958, Mike began a six-year apprenticeship with a printing plant as a Compositor. This training, which Mike thoroughly enjoyed, led to working for Pacific Press in Vancouver. Michael was a dedicated Union member with the CWA/ITU and has always said he was a proud member of this union. Known there for some time as “Ace”, he retired from Pacific Press in 1999 and settled into continuing his renovations of their home.

Mike was an avid carpenter and loved knocking walls down and rebuilding, usually with very poor timing. He taught both his girls a love of building and many renovations have been completed together. Mike and Jo Anne were passionate about travel, and cruising the world, and made many friends along their journey. Mike had a wonderful sense of humour and a quick sarcastic wit. He told many great jokes, although most are now inappropriate! He was very creative and passed this love onto his grandchildren, who have used this creativity in their hobbies and work. Mike was a dedicated grandpa and spent many hours reading Calvin and Hobbes to Rayne and Dawson, and he attended every play, recital and sporting event.

Mike will be missed greatly for his cookies, bird photos and movie recommendations. Always ready to watch an animated movie, he will be remembered for his love of cartoons the Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes. A lover of trivia and the ability to superficially read about sports so he could talk football with Jo Anne showed a love so deep that it can never be replaced. Known as, Mike, Ace, Dad and Grandpa: You will be missed more than words can express.

A celebration will be held in North Delta in the summer.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsurrey.com for the Dawson family.