Michael and Gerry, Oct. 03

17 Sept 2004

Through the shock and horror of Michael’s tragic death we hold onto images of Michael through the years -- from the small baby who visited Saskatoon in 1980 (and who slept, as I recall, in a sort of hammock strung up in the VW Camper) to the young man we saw in October 03 on a visit to The Herb Garden. A photo from that visit is posted here – Mike and Gerry, arms comfortably around each other’s shoulders. In between are many pictures and memories of Mike – going biking, polishing his boots before going to cadets, singing in the church choir, working in the garden.

Sharon and Gerry describe Mike as "kind and thoughtful, hardworking, independent and committed" – all characteristics that they modeled for him and which they fostered in his life. To this we would add a zest for life and an openness to adventure, again attributes shaped by his parents but which Mike lived out in his own way.

While it is hard to believe that all of Mike’s enthusiasm for life, his successes in reaching his dream of becoming a pilot, and his openness to the future are gone, his too-short life left many legacies. Perhaps the most important is the power of a dream. Thank you, Mike, for living out your dream. May we all honor your life by taking up your challenge to follow our dreams.

We send our love and prayers to Sharon and Gerry, and all Michael’s family and friends.

Love

Gwenna and Charlotte
Winnipeg, Manitoba
gmoss@mts.net

17 Sept 2004

This moment is dedicated to the memory of Mike who was a great and generous friend to my family and I.
He is an inspiration to anyone who knows him.

Peter Vandrish
St.John's
vandrish@engr.mun.ca

17 Sept 2004

Sharon and Gerry,

Thank you so much for creating this web site in Michael's name; it is beautiful. I just want to send my condolences to you both. I didn't know Michael really, but I met him several times over the years - as a boy at your home on Richmond Road near Dwyer Hill road and as a teenager and young man, most recently at the Herb Garden. He struck me as an intelligent, pleasant, self-assured and self-contained person. I remember your stories about Michael, how he would tease you about putting herbs in everything. Mosly I recall that whenever you spoke of him, you did so with great respect and warmth. My thoughts are with you both at what must be an almost unbearable time. Try to take comfort in the fact that he did himself and you two proud, and all three of you were so lucky to have the love of each other.
Best wishes,

Karen Seabrooke
Ottawa
ksea@interpares.ca

17 Sept 2004

My memories of Mike are few and far between, but one thing that stands out about him from those precious few experiences was his incredibly high energy.

From the first day we met when he was around 5 or 6 years old, I remember running with him through beautiful farm fields, climbing up hay stacks and exploring an old barn on his parents farm.

In later years (when Mike was 10 to 13 years old) I saw him more often. From organized feasts on the Herb farm, to dropping in during bike rides with my cousin Dan (who was close friends with him), to journeying through the UFO "haunted" fields in the area... in all these I remember Mike being full of energy, happy, excited and always ready to explore.

I have always regreted the missed opportunity to go live with the Channer family for a month in Sri Lanka, and now with Mike's passing, that regret is even stronger. I can only imagine what memories I would have carried of Mike if it had happened.

But, from this tragedy, the few memories I have of Mike have come alive. They are reminders of how precious our time is here.

Mike... my thoughts are with you. I will meet you in my dreams. Let's go run through some fields together.

Matthew Astier
Aylmer, Quebec
kubrick101@hotmail.com

17 Sept 2004

Mike was a great Cadet with 872 Kiwanis-Kanata Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. He made many friends and many memories through his association with the Squadron and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Condolences from the Cadets, Staff and Sponsoring Committee of 872 to your family and friends.

Commanding Officer
872 Kiwanis-Kanata RCACS

Capt. Cliff Turner, CD
Kanata, Ontaro
cliffordaturner@rogers.com

17 Sept 2004

The staff at Robin Pope Safaris were priviledged enough to be acquainted with Mike during his time flying in South Luangwa, Zambia. Mike would stay with us at the safari camp after he had finished work for the day. Over this period, we got to know him as an easy going, gentle, kind young man who was a lot of fun.
Memories of Mike - some pleasant evenings were had relaxing by the camp's bar, which overlooks the Luangwa river. He very much enjoyed watching this safari scene, observing elephants, hippos, crocodiles and giraffes with a chilled 'Mosi' (Zambian beer) comfortably in his hand as the African sun went down. We also had some hilarious nights playing cards together. The RPS staff invented card game names for everyone and the pilot was named 'Mile long Mike', much to the amusement of all with many rather rude innuendos ensuing and Mike chuckled away in his soft Canadian lilt.
The staff and pilots would sometimes go to a restaurant/ bar named 'Flat Dogs', which is a 20 minute drive from the camp. One memory that stands out was when Mike drove a few of us there one evening in his allocated 'pilots car' - a low clearance city car which is completely unsuitable for the demanding, dusty, pot-holed roads of South Luangwa. We spent the journey bouncing around dodging pot holes with mouthfuls of dust as one of the windows was jammed open and a light that kept flashing on and off which Mike could do nothing about. Added to this, the fuel had almost run out so we imagined ourselves stranded in the bush for the night surrounded by wild animals until someone rescued us. Our situation was so ridiculous that we giggled all the way there. Our quiet drink turned into a night of revelry as Mike persuaded (in his usual gentle manner but persuasion none the less!)the girls in the group to clamber up onto the bar and dance (after a few drinks, of course!). The girls enjoyed themselves so much that after a while Mike was dragged up as well (with little protest...).It is fair to say that Mike was no John Travolta, but of course it's the taking part that counts and Mike definitely got himself involved during his time staying with RPS.
Once, Mike had the morning off and some of us drove around the local town looking at the markets, local Zambian bars and a textiles company. At one stop, a local teacher, Macy, asked Mike for a lift to her school, so we all made room for her. Macy had never flown before and probably never would have, had not Mike pulled a few strings and offered to take her flying that day. Not only can she now tell her pupils about her experience, but it will be a day that she will remember for the rest of her life.
A couple of the RPS staff are planning to travel to Malawi and Mozambique in November, and Mike had the majority of the month free so suggested that we hire a plane for the trip which he would pilot. What a wonderful adventure that would have been and what a pleasure to fly with him.
Mr and Mrs Channer - your son was not only a respected, professional and safe pilot whom Airwaves Airlink were pleased to have on their team, he was also a very decent young man. He took advantage of the job that he loved and travelled around the world with it. He certainly lived life to the full and was an example to us all.
It seems that some special force thought that Mike and his piloting skills were needed elsewhere and he was required to fly far, far higher than a few thousand feet.
Robin and Jo Pope and the rest of the team from Robin Pope Safaris express their deepest sympathies. He touched all our lives and will always be remembered.

Ali
South Luangwa, Zambia
jo@robinpopesafaris.net