20 Oct 2004

My first year at Seneca was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I owe all that to people like Mike Channer. I will never forget the memories of we had of Mike, throughout everything we had gone through in that first year.

From the nights of endless cramming, to those crazy less than sober nights downtown Toronto(where the subway ride down was half the fun), to relaxing with a game or two at rez on a computer that just never seemed to work :)

Madcow, you will truly be missed by all. I'll always remember how you never seemed to let things get you down in life, and always out for a good time.

Jason Psiuk
Toronto, Ontario
cethdil@hotmail.com

20 Oct 2004

Sharon and Gerry,I lived with Wally, your brother, and Carl Hiebert for years while we were at university in Waterloo, Ontario and have kept in touch with both of them. My parents live in Winnipeg where they attend the Portage Avenue Church. They visited me and my family over Thanksgiving and told me that you lost your son in an aviation accident.

I lost a sister to cancer several years ago and know the sorrow attached to loss; however, I have not lost a child! Wally and I spoke briefly yesterday and he related some of the events.

I simply want to let you know that I carry some of your pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Robert Kuhl
Vancouver, B.C.
rkuhl@shaw.ca

18 Oct 2004

Mike, here's to you buddy. I came across this photo of you fire-breathing at Sitatunga and I recall the great times (some sober, most not) that we had there. Experiencing Africa in the manner in which we did was exhilarating and unforgettable.

I recall the good laughs in Maun: the Combi-tour 2004 trip, the booze cruise on the Zambezi, the bunji jumping, the river boarding, Raloma and Bushwhack, Friday night at Sports bar, riding the tire on Lutz' Landy, Sunday afternoon volleyball, the worm in your foot!, Crunchy bars and Windhoek lagers, the nasty beef jerky...Good times and good laughs.

Anyway buddy, I'll be thinking of you and I'll never forget you. I envied you for lucking out in your job search and I'll try to keep up the antics in Malawi. Bonk-chica-wauwau!

Chris Argo
Friscochrisargo@hotmail.com

13 Oct 2004

We were deeply saddened when Sharon's mom called my mom to tell her the tragic news of Michael's death. You must be devastated. We just want you to know that you are both in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Marly Wiens connected us to this website which you have set up - what a nice tribute. I enjoyed glancing over the pictures. Our son Evan is exactly the same age as Michael was, and it is almost incomprehensible to think that you lost your son at such a young age. We wish you a measure of God's comfort and peace, to get through one day at a time.

Rick and Karin Klassen
Winnipeg, Manitoba
kiklassen@shaw.ca

6 Oct 2004

I'm sorry to say that Mike's loss is a tragic one. We've all said it, but Mike loved flying. It was his passion; he and I shared it for several years when we were in the Air Cadets. We would go house to house selling tickets in Gerry's old Nissan Quest(i know it was white i remember that much) he and i would try and sell the most so we could make the squadron money to go flying. He was a great friend, for a week I had Mark, Gus, Graham, Meggan, and Mike in Massachusetts when I wasn't able to leave the country due to Immigration laws. We had a great time, went into Boston saw Fanieul hall, saw Fenway even the aquarium. We had an awesome time the memories are so vivid like they happened yesterday. My mom was even willing to let him drive us into the city with her car! I wasn't even allowed to drive it! He politly declined; but we still got a ride to the T station(public transportation) and went about the city enjoying its sights. When we got home that night, we set up a flight simulator on the two networked computers we had in the basement. I have to admit Mike kicked all our butts that night. Truely a great Pilot from the very beginning. I know I learned alot from him, from watching him crash his R/C plane into a tree, to how to stay focused on a goal and accomplish it. Mike was a good old friend, I can remember sitting outside his house having a cigar with him one night. I asked him 'Where do you see yourself in 10 years?' he said 'I donno but I damn well hope I'm flying!'

Joe Lattuca
Pepperell, Massachusetts
canadajoe87@hotmail.com

3 Oct 2004

I live not quite as far as Mike did, but yet feel so separated from the world as I finally hear the horrible news of Mike's passing. Mike was one of the best friends to have while battling our first year at Seneca College all in hopes of getting to fly with one another. Mike was one buddy that it would have been a great pleasure to make that x-country trip with, he was always full of laughter and quick remarks. Although we did not talk often after Seneca as he went on the Sault, we kept each other informed of our where abouts. I did my x-country to the Sault hoping to see Mike upon arrival, but as we all know, weather makes those trips so random and unexpected. Mike was always up for a good time, which in first year at Seneca we might had done that too much, but would not change that for anything. We will miss you Mad Cow, I know you had a passion for flying, remember "The higher we soar, the smaller we appear the the ones who cannot fly." A loss of a great pilot and a perfect friend, all the best to the Channer family.

Jeff Mornan
Maui, Hawaii
jamornan@hotmail.com