Michael Thompson

It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Thompson announce his passing. Michael ‘Mike’ Thompson died peacefully days after his 75^th birthday surrounded by his loved ones, after a short, yet very brave and stoic battle with cancer.

Mike, also known as ‘Tin Man Thompson,’ was born and died on a Tuesday…  Born in Blackpool, England on July 20^th, 1948, on the second story of a quaint row house, he was the third child and only son to George and Edith Thompson.  The family immigrated to Canada when Mike was 8 years old and settled in Willowdale, Ontario.  Mike loved all things British- from fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, Dandelion and Burdock, Coronation Street, Guy Fawkes Day to the Donkeys on the beaches of Blackpool.  He would fondly recall their days in England with that of his sisters Ann and Patricia (Trish), the ship ride across the Atlantic and the early struggles of coming to Canada; recalling how he was bullied for his British accent and sent to classes on how to learn to speak English!

Mike studied Sheet Metal at George Brown college and became a Journeyman or “Tin knocker” as he used to say.  He was skilled in absolutely everything - the ultimate Handyman!  Mike built his own home from the ground up and helped many friends and family along the way to do the same with countless construction projects and jobs.  A Jack-of-all-Trades, anyone who knew Mike benefited from his knowledge, skills, experience, and expertise.

Mike was the Funniest!  He was the life of the party, was quick witted, had the best sense of humor, jokes, and kept this going until the very end, even with his doctors and nurses - always keeping things lite and looking for a smile or laugh!

Mike loved scuba diving, cool and fast cars in his younger years, snowmobiling, fireworks, all types of Beer, and his smokes!  He loved playing music like the Beatles and Bee Gees super loud due to his poor hearing, enjoyed politics and was a history buff - the ‘Almanac’ he was called for all his random facts and tidbits! He also loved to travel; making many great adventures and memories on trips over the years to the US and Florida for museum trips and to see his sister and brother-in-law, with his kids to the UK, Antigua, visiting family in Ecuador, the Galapagos and would have kept on going if he could have.

Mike was a kind and gentle spirit.  He was so very generous, authentic, honest, hardworking, and good. He had a warm heart and loved animals to his core and has now been reunited with his beloved dog Franky.  For as gentle as Mike could be, he was also as stubborn as an Ass/Donkey (his spirit animal)!  Good luck moving him on something if he didn’t want to, and until the end he did things on his own terms.  He was the type of person that if you called him, he would be there in a heartbeat and never said no to friends or family asking for help.

Mike will forever be lovingly remembered by his two children Julie and Brian, his son-in-law Sebastian, his two beloved Grandsons Kai and Evan who brought immeasurable pride and joy to his life and his former wife Cathy.  Mike was predeceased by his parents George and Edith Thompson, survived by his two big sisters Ann (Dixon) and Trish, had five nieces and nephews and his close and life-long friends. He was loved by his friends and neighbors on his street - Cedar Bay Road, at Canal Lake, which after his retirement brought him so much joy, wonderful times, and very fond memories.

Mike’s family would like to extend our deepfelt gratitude to his palliative doctor, Dr. Toni Mihaylova, his principal nurses from St. Elizabeths Natalya and Ingrid, in addition to Allison & Liam—you are all exceptional human beings!

To those who knew him, Mike meant something special, to us all he was someone special…  Taken too soon, he was a Dad, a very special Grandpa, a son, brother, in-law, friend, buddy, neighbor and he will be loved, remembered and missed every single day!

Michael has been cremated and a Celebration of his Life will take place in the Fall in Barrie, Ontario. For details, please reach out to his daughter Julie.