Mike said his goal in life before he left this world was to make sure that there were no fish left in the lakes, no moose left in the bush and no money left in the bank account, in jest, he had the third one under control and he was still working on the first two.
We believe he might have been able to make a huge dent in his goals if cancer hadn’t reared it’s ugly head. Mike left us on June 25th after a short and courageous battle with a very aggressive cancer.
Mike was born in Geraldton Hospital, Nov. 8, 1953; he was the first of 5 brothers and sisters. He grew up in the small logging community of Caramat. Having native blood in his veins and living in the middle of nature couldn’t have been a better fit for Mike. Mike was a proud status Indian (Long Lake 58 First Nations). Fishing, hunting or anything pertaining to nature started for him from the day he was born and didn’t stop until he took his last breath. The day before Mike left us, he was explaining to us how to fish Charon Lake and Arms Creek and which lures we should be using.
From a very young age Mike’s” Nookomis” (grandmother-in Ojibway) took Mike under her wing and guided him in the Ojibway cultures and taught him not only how to hunt and fish but also to have great respect and appreciation for all of nature, plants and animals, wind and water. Mike has fished every lake and stream and hunted every cut-over and logging road in N.W.O in his life. As you can see Mike life was hunting, fishing, with fishing being his greatest passion.
Mike’s working career started as a young man in Thunder Bay, working at the grain elevators, Northern Wood Preservers and eventually moving to Rossport to pursue a business opportunity operating a general store and gas pump along with working on commercial fishing boats (anything to do with fishing). He eventually took a position at Kimberly Clark Pulp Mill in Terrace Bay which lasted 30+ years until his retirement.
In retirement, Mike set up his RV camper at Wintering Lake and Fished all Summer, Duck and moose hunted in the fall and headed south in the winter months with his “Sweetie” to Colorado and Costa Rica.
Mike had a passion for cooking, he loved to make meals for everyone and he was spectacular with the recipes in his head. He was a very generous and giving person; he had an enormous appetite for learning as he always had a book in his hand, right from a child. He was so knowledgeable in so many fields and was always willing to help others with a project or share his knowledge and experiences with others.
Mike was predeceased by his father Leo, and survived by his mother Frances Renaud, his loving partner and best friend of 23 years Sharon, children Mike Jr, Chi and stepson Jeremy (Anna), his siblings Pat “Gregg” (Sherrie), Ted (Kelsey), Cleo (Don), Tammy (Gerry). Also survived by numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and so many other relatives and friends too numerous to name. He would be upset if I didn’t mention is favorite “cousin” Debbie Smith.
As per Mike wishes, there will be no service or gathering. The best would be raising a Corona in Mike’s honor and “Cheering to a life well lived”. Mike requested his brother-in-law Don to take his “bones” and put them with Dad’s “bones”, so Mike will be spread at his favourite fishing spots in Rossport and Kagiano Lake so he can fish with his favourite people.
We’ll meet you at Kagiano Lake “Chum”…
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation for the amazing treatment Mike received by the nurses, staff and doctors at the St. Joseph’s Hospice and TBRHSC – THANK YOU.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
