Michael (Mike) entered this world in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the 2nd son of Michael and Magdalena who immigrated to Canada from Slovakia with their first born son, Vincent. Mike had two more siblings brother Frank (Shirley) and sister Victoria; his family all predeceased him. Having been born in Winnipeg and growing up in the North End, help shape his character as very resilient, tough and hardworking young man. His immediate family meant everything to him, whether helping to provide or generally care for them.
That said Mike was not afraid of adventure and in his mid-twenties left Winnipeg and went West, leaving his family and tight knit group of friends. Of course this would dramatically change the course of his life. With no college degree, he began taking accounting courses during evenings in Edmonton, Alberta, while continuing to work at jobs that landed him in the front office applying his new found trade. While of course this led to friendships, three of whom stand out, Ches Gorski (Louise), Mitch Urslak (Darlene) and Don Letcher (Heather). During their late 20’s they frequented Dance Halls as they each were fleet-a-foot and could twirl a gal like no one else. So without suspense, Mike met his future bride, Judith (Judy), who of course was always alongside her niece, or more like an inseparable sister, Darlene (Mitch). There was no turning back at this point he found his soulmate and best friend for the next 65 years.
Mike and Judy were married November 5, 1960, and he leaves four children Stephen (Helen), Charlaine (Paul), Vicki-Lynn (Dom) and Michael (Laura). This family would travel the Rocky Mountains as Mike established himself as a critical field team player for Mannix/Loram and from time to time live in the cities of Edmonton and Calgary. Wanting to be more stationary with his family, Mike left his job and joined the oil and gas industry with Aquitaine Company of Canada Ltd. and built a home on the edge of Calgary, at the time, Lake Bonavista. Mike would have a career until 1991 as a specialist accountant for a few companies ending his oil and gas career with Husky Oil Operations Ltd.. Closing out his working years before full retirement, Mike took a new challenge being a Financial Planner for Investors Group. The friends he made at work and in the community were plenty. There were some really special ones that became family as well; Ray and Myrna.
The most special chapter is reserved for what his children added to the world, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, where he assumed his everlasting title of Papa. Leading the pack Jessica (Josh), Nicola (Tim), Elise, Shayne (Geni), Brieanne (Yanick), Tyler, Kendra (Josh), Amy (Zach), Claire, Natanleigh and Johnny. This group has given way to great-grandchildren Isabella, Sophia, Penelope, Hazel, Kaslo, Olivia, Emma, Katie, Sarah and Ryan.
Family was the epicenter of Mike’s legacy and nothing made him more proud than to hold and care for this tribe. As a true patriarch of this clan, he openly welcomed all relations that Uncle Mike and Aunty Judy connected with. Nieces and Nephews (great ones, great great ones and great great great ones) from Winnipeg to Edmonton to Westlock to Onoway to Dawson Creek to Calgary to Vancouver and many other cities and towns. A common gathering point for all was and continues to be Pelican Point at Buffalo Lake.
Papa was a true pillar of strength of the family, always listening and observing no matter the simplicity, chaos or complexity. He longed that everyone would always be together no matter their differences. Even though disappointment can sometimes paint a face, Papa was always there to forgive, understand and help in any way. This not only applied to family but also to strangers, always a helping hand, a spare dollar (or not); his ability to care for others is biblical in a sense. His words were often few but his actions and few carefully chosen words, were always profound and clear. Papa’s love of music is what we all can reflect upon from big band to crooners to quartets to early rock to late pop. His favourite though was Satchmo himself, Louis Armstrong, appropriate because with Papa in it “What a Wonderful World” we were given. With his passing we can maintain a ‘wonderful world’ by simply employing the qualities he attempted to instill in all of us.
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