Dear Peggy,

We are soooo sorry to hear of your dad's passing.  We were good friends of your father in CA at Stanford.  My husband was an apt.-mate of Michael, and he was the best man at our wedding.  I lived in your mother's apt. the summer before we got married.  As you know, your parents were truly special, and they managed to make it to Colorado a couple of times to visit with us.  We enjoyed the biking journals as a way of following your dad's amazing adventures.  He set goals and followed his dreams -- a life well-lived.

Sending love and big hugs,
Liz & Fred Smith

It is not often that you meet some one who changes your life. Michael was my and my brother`s Engineering professor at McGill. Until encountering Michael, we were both somewhat uninspired about what career we wanted. A semester with Michael changed all that, and led us to a life-long passion with Communication Engineering. In fact, all his students excelled in their post-graduate schools across North America; I at Princeton and my brother at Cornell. I also had the great fortune to subsequently work with Michael at BNR and INRS.
Michael skied with our family, showing us how a real back-country Californian skier skis. But perhaps his greatest legacy to our family, were his biking diaries. I read them religiously to my two young sons, who were delighted and inspired by his exploits.
Michael was a unique and special human being. I am grateful to having been his student, colleague and friend.

Michael and my mother shared their Chinese missionary grandfather. Mom was always so grateful for Michael‘s work on that history. Thank you for the beautiful obituary. That gives us a clear picture of who Michael was. I am so happy to hear of his uniqueness. That is a proud family tradition. Blessings to you all who are mourning this loss. Another star in heaven, another bright light to remember. Light and love to each of you.

C'est avec une profonde tristesse que nous apprenons le décès de Michael. En ces moments difficiles, nous souhaitons vous adresser nos plus sincères condoléances.

Michael a été un membre apprécié et respecté de notre communauté, et sa présence a laissé une marque indélébile sur chacun d'entre nous. Son dévouement à l'enseignement à l'INRS de 1983 à 2001 et l’intensité de son implication dans notre partenariat avec BNR/Nortel ont eu un impact durable sur de nombreuses vies, et il restera dans nos mémoires comme un professeur exceptionnel.

En ces temps de deuil, nos pensées et nos prières sont avec vous et vos proches. Nous espérons que vous trouverez un certain réconfort dans les souvenirs précieux que vous avez partagés avec Michael.

Avec toute notre sympathie,

Les membres de la communauté INRS Énergie Matériaux et Télécommunications

Our sincere condolences to Peggy. Michael worshipped and adored you. 
We will miss our good friend and neighbour for over 40 years. We could always count on his help for the numerous occasions we sought assistance with problems around the house. I will treasure his varied journals of his global travels. 
Sadly missed by Christa and Tony Stange.

It is so difficult to find the right words to give proper tribute to Michael. Explorer, pioneer, companion, he always kept the drive to push his horizons, as far as his stamina could keep up with his enthusiasm. A born storyteller, it was always a delight to listen to his recollections of his trials and tribulations. He was kind, always ready to help or to listen to you, with an open mind and a great heart. We will miss him deeply.

Michael was a kind and generous brother.  When he was graduating from Stanford, our parents did not have a lot of money and he paid for all of us to fly down to California to see him graduate. (Our dad couldn’t make it.)
When I got married, he was travelling somewhere in the U.S. and made sure that he got to my wedding.  I was so excited that he came.  He also took a video of our wedding which we have cherished over the years.

He always tried to visit as often as he could and we will miss his cheerful voice.  His bicycling adventures will live on though.  We will miss you Michael, a lot.

Dear Peggy,

I remember you as a pretty little girl with your father’s long legs, in a Trafalgar School tunic.

I was told last night that your father had passed away. I am so sorry.

I knew your father first as a professor (I was in the final year of my undergraduate career at McGill; he, in the first year of his professorial position there) and then as a colleague, at INRS. Your father was smart. But more than that, he was interesting. In my mind’s eye, I see him in philosophical pose: leaning back in his swivel chair, one knee drawn up and clasped in both hands. I learned from him, long after I had ceased to be his student.

I did try cycling with him a couple of times, from NDG to Nun’s Island. He was too fast for me.

Your father will continue to live, Peggy — in the memories of the people, myself among them, who loved and admired him.

Sincerely,
Michael Kaplan

I remember when Mike was riding his bike through Australia  and I also happened  to be there at the same time. He brought me all things unique to Canada, important things like Crest toothpaste, degree deodorant and a  coffee crisp chocolate bar to name a few. It was extremely thoughtful and I was so happy. Rest in Peace!

Brother Mike's Grade 13 year book picture and comments. He loved school and was really involved. In 1958, there was a contest for Grade 13 students in Toronto schools. The teachers submitted the name of their best student from each school and Mike won an all expense paid trip to Western Europe for 2 months. Mike was so thrilled and enjoyed the trip so much.

OBITUARY

Michael Ferguson

May 7, 1941 – September 14, 2023

Résidences funéraires Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes

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