Mike (Thomas Michael Alexander) Owen

(Thomas Michael Alexander Owen)

Dec 1, 1945 – Feb 25, 2024

With hearts breaking, we report Mike Owen (Thomas Michael Alexander Owen) passed away suddenly at age 78 because of a cardiac event on a Sunday afternoon at home while in the company of his dear friend, Norma Sharpe.

Mike was predeceased by his loving wife, Colleen Elizabeth (Bearden) Owen (d2014); parents, Lt.-Cmdr Thomas Freeborn Owen and Florence Alexandra (MacMillan) Owen; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Mayer) Owen and nephew, Kirk Owen. He leaves to mourn his children; Thomas Stewart Owen and Jennifer (Owen) Beaudry (Ron), grandchildren Adrianna, Tyler and Mason Beaudry; brother, Peter MacMillan Owen; sister Mary Eleanor Owen plus nephews AJ Owen (Kathleen) and Jonathan Owen, and niece Kim Owen (Mike#2).

In an optimistic post WWII era of London Ontario, Mike was born an early boomer to a time and place that became legendary within our Owen family – our own Camelot of cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents and later his little brother. He had an early childhood full of adventure, laughter, love and lifelong memories.

Mike’s father re-joined the Royal Canadian Navy; a career move that transported Mike’s family from London, ON to Quebec City, Dartmouth NS, Vancouver BC, back to Dartmouth, Annapolis Royal, Cornwallis (NS) and finally to Winnipeg MB. Mike attended St Paul’s High School where he made life-long friends with Colin Jackson and the late Reg Alcock. Their lives diverged down different paths but they kept in touch and would reconnoitre occasionally for reasons of support or whimsy.

During his early adult years, Mike worked for Children’s Home of Winnipeg; an experience which inspired him to pursue Social Work as his life’s career. He entered the University of MB School of Social Work while his wife, Colleen worked on her BA. They both graduated and started to build careers while he and Colleen nested and started their family. A lifelong career Social Worker, he started under the Manitoba Community Treatment Association, where he worked as Coordinator, Group Home for Deaf Adolescents and then as Executive Director of the association. He worked as Supervisor, Services for the Deaf for what is now the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities. He moved on to work as therapist and coordinator, residential services for Jewish Child and Family Services, then to MacDonald Youth Services as director of programs. Ultimately, in 1989 he assumed the position of Regional Coordinator of Boys and Girls Clubs of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and was the Executive Director of the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Clubs until retirement in 2010.

He had mentors along the way who became great friends and support. Mike volunteered to various capacities in his communities, coaching hockey and ringette at Varsity View Community Club in Charleswood when his children were young; later at the United Way of Winnipeg; Kiwanis Clubs of both Winnipeg and Gimli where he served periods as president of each club and also served the organization’s national arm. He was proud to have been a member of the Red River Advisory Committees of the Child and Youth Care Diploma Program and the Youth Recreation Activity Worker Certificate Program.

Mike loved to watch all sports. Latterly, he curled winters and golfed summers as much as possible at the Sandy Hook Golf Course where he lived his final decade.

In recent years, the cousins had two reunions; one at Inverhuron, Ontario and the other in Sandy Hook and Stead in MB. A third was planned for Barrie, Ontario but Covid 19 interfered.Mike truly enjoyed socializing with friends, neighbours and family. Mike and his family loved dogs and always had one or two in their home – Chimo, Copper, Chimo2, Duke, Buddy and Maggie.

As first son of a naval officer, he was expected to behave and set an example; as memory serves, he succeeded at this always.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

Mike’s family would like to extend a special thanks to our friends and family who supported us through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to United Way of Winnipeg.