Michael (Mike) Wolowich

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Michael (Mike) Wolowich, age 79 years, sadly announce his sudden passing. Mike left the world the way he would have wanted, volunteering at the marina waterfront near the CCGS Alexander Henry with laker ships framed by the Sleeping Giant in the background. Picture-perfect shot Mike would say.

Mike was born in Fort William to Frank and Sophie Wolowich who had immigrated from Ukraine. He grew up on Stanley Avenue beside Budniks’s Meats & Grocery and attended Crawford School and F.W.C.I. Mike did what every good Ukrainian Westfort boy did and attended Ukrainian school and took accordion lessons with Colosimo’s (although he hated carrying it on the bus). At an early age Mike took an interest in electronics. He could be found making his own transistor radios and motors for model airplanes.

In 1964 Mike started working on The Hill for Thunder Bay Electronics (later Thunder Bay Television) as a photographer. He worked his way up through the ranks later becoming a Producer/Director. He mentored many behind-the-scenes and on-air personal. When Mike saw talent, he encouraged it. His co-workers valued his leadership and his sense of humour. In addition to TBT News he produced/directed The Rick Smith Show, Reach for the Top (both local and CBC Provincial), Rock’n ‘n Reel’n, Auction Bonanza, Crimestoppers PSA’s, and countless local cult classic commercials. What he was most proud of was producing/directing the annual Kinsman Mother’s Day Cystic Fibrosis Telethon.

Mike had many interests and hobbies. He loved camping and hiking in Nipigon, watching anything that flew, growing cucumbers, and sitting around a bonfire. He was a member of the Lakehead Amateur Radio Club with the call sign VE3 HZW. In 2017 he was honoured as Amateur of the Year. Mike was an artist with his hands transforming blocks of wood and tree bark into works of art. He was a member of the Thunder Bay Carvers, Rural 60 + Carvers, and the Country Estate Carvers. On weekends he would be found whittling wood at Founders Museum showcasing the Carpenter’s Shop tools. He was gifted with his hands for carving, but his passion was lake ships. He took thousands of pictures, many of which have been published in shipping books. Putting his camera aside, Mike had picked up a paint brush and was helping to restore the boats at POOL 6 to their former glory. Despite all his interests, he’d always rather be fishing. 

Mike was tall in stature and in character. He was fiercely loyal and had a strong work ethic; he rarely, if ever, missed a day of work. He was a popular introvert who would and could talk about anything. Mike was a master of Trivial Pursuit and his most recent claim to fame was answering the Jeopardy question Ken Jennings couldn’t. Mike was a Macgyver of all things broken usually using his pocketknife and a tube of Shoe Goo. He was never without a camera and recorded every holiday, adventure, milestone, fish, and Ukrainian Dance performance.

Mikee, as he was affectionally referred to by close family, will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Marion; daughters Marnie (Ryan) and Mandy (Gord) and his pride and joy, grandsons Finn and Oliver. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Walter Karachok); nephews Rob (Monica; Alex, Sofia) and Dave (Dol; Satchel), sister-in-law Gloria Happy and other relatives in Canada and Ukraine. 

He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Sophie, aunt Stephanie Pankiw, mother-in-law Margaret Wellington and sister-in-law Judith Wellington.

A private family service will take place, and a Celebration of All Things Mike will be held at a later date.

Mike loved and appreciated organizations that preserved the history of the Lakehead region, and everything related to boats. Should friends so desire, memorial donations made to The Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge in support of FOUNDERS’ MUSEUM 3250 Hwy 130 Rosslyn, Ontario P7K 0B1 or the Lakehead Transportation Museum-CCGS Alexander Henry (807) 355-5277 would be greatly appreciated.

VE3 HZW has signed off.

Vichnaya Pamyat

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street, Thunder Bay.