Michael is survived by his wife of 31 years, Suzanne Milino; his children, Dawn Smith (Kerry) and David Cline; Suzanne's children, Suzanne Watkin, Aaron Watkin (Ondra); grandchildren, Ivan, Riley, Parker, Montana, Brooklyn, Carson, Jack, Angus; great-grandchildren, Sikena and Vienna. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Nina.
Michael was born on December 7, 1944 in Vancouver, BC. His family lived in Vancouver until Michael was 14, when they moved to Tiberon, California. He attended Redwood High and was part of the Redwood High football team. The family then moved to Huntington Beach, California (close to L.A). He lived there until his early twenties when he moved back to Vancouver. He was married to Sharon for 25 years and they lived in Burnaby with their children David and Dawn. Michael met Suzanne in 1989 and they have been together since that time, living in Vancouver, South Surrey and White Rock.
Most of Michael’s life revolved around his work as an engine builder, machinist and mechanic. He started working on cars in California and in 1966, when he moved back to Vancouver, he started his own business, California Speed Center, in Burnaby. He operated that business for 26 years, where he specialized in building engines for high-performance street cars. When he closed his business, he continued to pursue his passion with cars working in his home-based shops. He fully stopped working in 2017.
Throughout his life, Michael enjoyed sports and fitness - football, swimming, scuba diving, snow skiing and boxing. He participated in recreational boxing in California. He raced cars and motorcycles and was an active runner for many years. And, he too pleasure in going on motorcycle rides with his friends. In the last few years, he was an active walker and worked out with a personal trainer twice a week. He has always been a very strong and active person.
In Suzanne's years with Michael, they travelled to the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Malta, California and Hawaii. He loved the old buildings in the European cities and the trains, boats and canals.
Michael was a loving, kind, and supportive person with a positive attitude. He enjoyed a good life with lots of fun and adventure. He was independent, in control of his life, and able to achieve the things he wanted. He was also very gentle in many ways. He loved animals and would go out of his way to keep them safe. He rescued worms from roads and put them in gardens, and he would remove spiders from the house and put them outside where they belonged. And, he loved the family of raccoons that made their home under the deck of the house for a few years.
Michael was diagnosed with alzheimers disease in 2014 and was able to live with a good quality of life until recently. He went into long-term care in June 2020 and could not adjust to the change. He had never wanted to be in care and had always planned to access Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) when he felt that he could no longer enjoy the quality of life that he wanted. Unfortunately, he missed his window of opportunity in accessing MAID. He then decided to do the only thing that he could control, and he refused to eat or drink. He declined quickly and passed away peacefully with Suzanne and Dawn at his side. His last days were spent in the Irene Thomas Hospice in Delta, where they provided a peaceful environment with the best of care.
Thanks to all who kept Michael in their lives and took the time to visit and socialize with him through this disease.
Thanks also to Dr. Angus McDonald (GP), Dr. Grace Park (MAID), Dr. Robin Hsiung (UBC Centre for Brain Health), doctors, nurses and caregivers at Peach Arch Hospital, Oceanside Tertiary Care, Irene Thomas Hospice, Fraser Health Home Care Support, Gene Yan (physical trainer), Elva Ledesma (caregiver), for all their care and support.
No public service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to UBC Centre for Brain Health and Dying with Dignity Canada would be appreciated.
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