February 27, 1972 – July 14, 2007
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a loving, caring son, brother and uncle. He is survived by his loving parents, Nick and Angela, his brother, Angelos, his sister-in-law, Karen, his two nephews, Nicholas and Anthony and his niece, Sophia. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Mike was born in North Vancouver, B.C. and lived there with his family for 22 years. He attended Eastview Elementary School and Sutherland Secondary School. Mike Graduated in 1990 and went onto Simon Fraser University and obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. He worked with his family at their restaurant in West Vancouver, B.C. In 1993, his family purchased the Haida-Way Hotel and they all moved up to Port McNeill, B.C. and together they worked side-by-side everyday for over 14 years. In 1997 Mike became an uncle for the first time and loved the role more than anything. He adored his two nephews and niece and spent a great deal of time with them.
In 1998 Mike got his VFR pilot’s license, then obtained his IFR license and recently obtained his commercial license. He loved flying and did so often. Mike enjoyed the North Island and became an integral part of the community. He volunteered his time flying cancer victims to Victoria for treatments when he became a member of Angel Flight of B.C..
Mike always loved sports and outdoor activities. In his youth he played soccer and hockey, and went on numerous camping trips with his family. Together they enjoyed, fishing, hunting and boating. As an adult he loved entering Triathalons, windsurfing all over the world, biking, snowboarding and flying his plane. Mike traveled extensively all over the world, visiting places like Thailand, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Alaska, Europe, and most of South America just to name a few.
He was a warm, caring young man, that always greeted everyone with a huge dimpled smile. A loyal friend and an amazing son, brother and uncle, who deeply loved his family. We will miss his happy smiling face, his playful nature, his unwavering energy and optimistic outlook on life. We will hold him in our hearts and thoughts always.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
In lieu of flowers, donations kindly accepted to Angel Flight of B.C., Box 2623, Sidney, B.C., V8L 4C1 in Mike’s Memory.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 5:00pm at the Port McNeill Community Hall.