22 Sept 2004

My daughter Helen (Gerry's God-daughter)and I travelled to Ottawa to be with Gerry and Sharon on 18th & 19th Sept. We shared the grieving ,the memories and the heights and depths of emotions that the weekend evoked.

We were a 'surrogate' family to Mike in 1986 so our memories of him centre on a shy,happy,adventurous 6yr.old, in a strange environment, with relatives he barely knew! We took him to Scotland where he was confronted with down-hill ski-ing (not his normal cross-country ski-ing).He went to the Village School,brought Canadian Beavers to our local troop and had fun with his cousins.
Of course, we have followed his progress through Gerry and Sharon, and shared their pride over the years. And yes, he continues to smile at us from the kitchen notice board!(ref: Helen 16th Sept.page 11)

I felt so priviledged to be with Sharon,her Mum and brother,sisters and families, and all their friends who had time, amidst their grief to include and support us.

Gerry and Sharon, we love you so, and are always close, regardless of physical distance.

'God uses the briefest section of a single human life as powerfully and significantly as He uses a whole long life of work and achievement.
Archbishop Michael Ramsey

With all our love Pauline & Martin,
Helen, Chris and Katharine

Pauline, Gerry's sister
Bristol, England
ppalmer@blueyonder.co.uk

22 Sept 2004

I knew Michael Channer for 5 short months.

In my first days as an Pilot Instructor at Sault College, I looked for people whom I figured would not lead me astray. Thankfully, Mike was one of these people. I knew that, even though he was a student, I could ask him for some Sault College specific advice, information or procedures that would keep me out of trouble with Bev! Indeed all of the staff respected and enjoyed interacting with Mike.

Later during one of our informal meetings about flying internationally, he asked some very good questions about flying in Africa. I wasn't able to offer much specific advice, but I was really impressed with Mike's passion and desire to do this.

The untimely death of Mike has had a very sobering effect on all of us at Sault College. Infact, many of my students (who would have known Mike in their first year)had tears in their eyes as I related Mike's story to them...

Sault College flew the flags at half-mast and a College aircraft formation performed the Missing Man
Memorial fly-past and dedicated it to the Memory of young Michael.

Mike Channer was truly a gentle man. Perhaps the ultimate compliment that I can give any person is as follows:

"When Mike Channer had something to say, I would stop and listen".

May God continue to bless all who read this.

Steven A. Hause
Sault College of Applied Arts &Technology
steven.hause@saultc.on.ca

Mike, Heather, Chris, Zimbabwe, 2004

21 Sept 2004

I didn't know Mike very well, however, the time that I spent with him was during a very significant time in life for both of us. This was travelling in Africa. I shared some wonderful times with Mike and had some great laughs. My deepest sympathies to Mikes parents especially, and to all his friends and family. Mike touched a lot of lives, he will be deeply missed.

Heather Griffith
Santa Rosa California
nicenurse26@hotmail.com

21 Sept 2004

Long before we met Mike my husband and I learned much about him through the stories and excerpts of our daughter Melissa. Then one day she brought him to our home. It quickly became apparent to me that Michael Channer was blessed with an indomitable spirit and over time I watched him face countless challenges with the same quiet fortitude, confidence & generosity of spirit that would make any parent proud.
Now, when I think of Mike the image that comes quickly to mind is not so much his indomitable spirit as the joyous smile that would suddenly light up his face & be reflected in the twinkle of his eye. Mike has given my family many happy memories to reflect upon and I wish that all of those who knew him to smile and look towards the light for a spirit such as his would wish for no less.
To his parents Sharon & Gerry Channer my husband and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies and may our prayers be always with you.

Suzette & Dino McDonnell
Niagara Falls, Ontario
zowie@mergetel.com

21 Sept 2004

See attached file

Russell Taylor
russellt@gmail.com

Getting into trouble

Air Cadet League of Canada crest

21 Sept 2004

September 21, 2004
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Channer,

My name is Jean Mignault and I am the Executive Director of the Air Cadet League of Canada right here in Ottawa. I am a former Air Cadet who also learned to fly airplanes and gliders as an air cadet. I am writing on behalf of the National President Mr. Guy Albert, the Board of Governors, all of the members and volunteers of the Air Cadet League of Canada and Canada’s 26,000 Air Cadets to offer our deepest sympathies on the recent passing of your precious son Michael.

We in the extended Air Cadet family were also saddened by this tragic loss. While I did not know your son personally, I really felt a sense of loss when I saw the Memorial Services notice in the Ottawa Citizen. I certainly feel that the aviation community had not only lost a great aviator, but that the world was now short of a true gentleman. We share your deep sense of loss.

The testimonials on the Michael Channer Memorial Website reveal that Michael was an outstanding individual, i.e. one who truly espoused the Air Cadet motto – To Learn – To Serve – To Advance. We hope that you will find comfort in knowing that while the end was tragic, he left this earth experiencing his great love, the true gift of flight!

The poem, High Flight, has over the years become a mantra to pilots. It is reproduced below as a tribute to Michael, and in memory of pilots of all generations. We hope that you will take some comfort in knowing that, like Pilot Officer Magee who wrote this poem, Michael has indeed “put out his hand and touched the face of God”.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult times. Please do not hesitate to contact us for support and/or assistance. We are pleased to see that you have decided to establish a Memorial Scholarship in Michael’s name. This is something that we have also done at the Air Cadet League of Canada for parents and friends of former air cadets who have also experienced a loss similar to yours.

Yours truly in support of Air Cadets,

Mr. Guy Albert
National President

and

Mr. Jean Mignault
Executive Director


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.

Mr. Jean Mignault
Ottawa, Ontario
execdir@aircadetleague.com