July 31, 1959 – July 17, 2012
Peacefully on July 17, 2012 in Victoria B.C., beloved son of the late D’Arcy and Norah McGee. Predeceased by sister Kath, survived by brothers D’Arcy (Leslie), Gordon and Tim (Mary) and sister Margot (Jeremy). Uncle to D’Arcy (Katty), Peter, Kate, Jennifer (Mark), Sarah, Julia, Gord, Charlotte and Fraser and great uncle to Sophia, Ella, Christophe, Marcel, Thomas, Olivia and Mateo. Mike was a very special person. He warmed the lives of everyone he met and he made enduring and loving friends throughout his life and wherever he visited. He was a man of many talents; swimming and a love of music were top of the list. Many a competitor has seen only Mike’s wake as he churned and torpedoed his way to victory in the annual Trackshoes swimming meets. His taste and appreciation of music knew no bounds – from polkas to the Beatles to Irish ballads and from contemporary hits to classic hymns and carols – Mike had an inner rhythm which he was always eager to share. Mike faced many challenges in his life yet he set an example for all of us with his warmth, his indomitable good spirit, his aversion to conflict and his exceptional sense of fun and humour. Many people near and far have been touched by Mike’s spirit and his humanity. And many in turn have given unselfishly of their time and talent to make Mike’s life a happy and fulfilling one. This role was exemplified by the extraordinary lifelong efforts and commitment of Mike’s Mum and Dad. During an earlier era when kids with Downs Syndrome were often expected to stay outside mainstream life, his Mum and Dad brought the world to Mike and Mike to the world. He became a well-rounded man because of their vision and dedication. From his early days at the Victor Street School to his beloved Maplewood Home and his many travels with the Happy Wanderers, Mike has been blessed by an army of friends, supporters and caregivers including Dr. David Bell and all those at Maplewood including Patty, Deb, Cathy, Linda, Krista, Nikki, Elaine, Meko, Ed, Tanya, Leonida and Gail, and his long time companion Des. The family is eternally grateful to each of you. We all can rest assured that no one has gone to heaven with any greater haste than Mike and that he is now reunited with the Old Fella and Mum.
A Celebration of Life followed by a reception will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Victoria Association for Community Living, 3861 Cedar Hill Cross Road, Victoria, B.C., V8P 2M7. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Rory Langran
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Ann Auld Such a darling, sweet, smiling man. This is how I remember Mike. My thoughts are with those left behind.
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Henrietta Langran-DesBrisay I was saddened to hear from Mum about Mike. I have such fond memories of him over the years. He brought so much to family occasions and to dinner parties. He was a consummate partier — he sang, danced and gave great toasts, and graces! He was blessed with a sparkle, an easy grin and a way about him that brought joy to so many, My thoughts are with you all and I send much love to each of you.
with love, Henrietta
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Deb Gallant I will always treasure the time I got to spend with Mike. I watched as he established himself here at Maplewood making it his home and the way he developed relationships with Jim, Cecil, Ken and most recently Mike P. Mr. Mike was a joy. My most treasured memory was a few weeks ago when I was sitting with him and he looked at me and said Hi Deboroah with such a smile. That moment of recognition was one of the many blessings Mike gave me over the years. We will truly miss Mike. Deb
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Bob and Doreen Alton Dear Margot, Jeremy & family
We send our sincere sympathy on the passing of your dear brother Mike. There will be many people missing his special smile and hugs! Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Sincere sympathy, Bob and Doreen Alton
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Pamela Golby I send special thoughts and remembrances of so many years. Your family and mine, were not only neighbours but treasured friends. Mike always gave me the very best hugs. He always chatted when the moon was full,when our mother’s were talking on the phone.
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Arlene and Garry Antonik Dear Margot and Jeremy, Jen and Mark, Sarah and Julia and McGee Family,
One of “The Brothers” is now gone and I know you will miss him and his infectious smile very much.
He was blessed with parents and siblings who dearly loved him. Friday outings with Big Sister Margot were a special treat for years.
Thinking of you all at this time and I know you’ll keep happy memories of your brother and uncle close to your hearts.
With special love, Arlene and Garry
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John & Mary Macdonald Dear McGees,
John & I were so sorry to hear that Mike has passed away.
We only met him once when he was a very young fellow but we heard numerous stories from “Mick”, (Mary Macdonald) who spent much time with the family in Victoria. We know what a special person he was.
We offer our sincere condolences to you all.
John & Mary Macdonald North Vancouver
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Neil Geevers Traveling on business I read about Mike and was immediately touched by his story. When I arrived home in New Jersey I had my oldest daughter read Mike’s story as she is entering her junior year studying to be a special education teacher. From his story we all earned how a loving and caring family, supported by so many friends and caregivers, enabled such a wonderful person with special needs to shine his bright inner light for all to see what can be achieved despite the challenges. Thanks for that important life lesson, and may God Bless Mike and all of you.
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Jennifer Gwilliam I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s death. I remember when he came to study music with my mother, Clarice Rummel at Cadboro Bay Music Studio, and how I would always help with his lessons until he and I became great friends. At the annual recital where all the students played, Mikey participated too, and at the end we could not get him to stop bowing as he was given a standing ovation. Afterwards I will never forget how proud and happy his Mum was as she told us that it was the first time he had participated in something which was not for people with special needs. Every time I ever saw him he would come running over and give me a hug, and even after years apart he would always remember my name. He left a special mark on the world, and there are many people whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
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Patty Young As a member of Mike’s Maplewood family I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the McGee family. Mike was a great friend and will be missed dearly by his roommates Jim, Ken, Mike P & Cecil. Mike was here to teach and that he did, RIP friend.
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Gord and Heather Fleck All our love to the McGee family and the caregivers at Maplewood Home, Mike was a very special person.
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Hilary Spicer Thinking of you all.
I have so many memories of meeting Mikey at Peppers in Cadboro Bay, grocery shopping with Nonie. I have special memories of volunteering at the Special Olympics at UVic, and Mikey’s joy, especially at the dances.
I last saw him at Clover Point with a group not so long ago. We hugged and reminisced, not sure if he remembered me, yet it certainly felt like he did.
love to you all.
Hilary
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Debra Dunsby I am saddened to hear the news of Mike. I had the pleasure of playing my fiddle for Mike and his roommates at Maplewood a few years back. On most shifts I would play music and Mike loved it. It was so much fun to watch him sing and dance. Mike, Jim and I would attend Sunday morning services at Fairfield United Church and he was well loved for his joyful singing. My condolences to your family. I will always remember Mike with his beautiful smile and his angelic soul.
Debra Dunsby
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Brenda McIsaac 26 years ago I had the honor of meeting my friend Mike McGee while doing my second practicum. Mike and I stayed friends going daffodil picking, to the Empress for Tea, Disneyland and every year shopping for his large family at Christmas time. Mike enriched my life in so many ways. You were well loved Michael McGee and hugely missed. RIP my friend ♥♥
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Edward W. Chapman Mike was an amazing person and touched my life in a possitive way. He will be greatly missed but always remembered. It was my pleasure to meet Mikes siblings Margot, D’Arcy, Gordon and Tim. My thoughts are with you.
Ed Chapman
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Margaret and Bob Hosie Our sincere condolences to all of you. Mikey was very special . There are many good memories of seeing him on his walks with Nonie and D’arcy when Seaview was his home. His smile was contagious. He loved everybody because he knew everyone loved him.
Blessings, the Hosie’s
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david and susan edgar dear mcgees, we havelots of good memories of mikes, and his life on seaview. d’arcy was amazing – every hallowe’en out in costume door knocking with mikes. it was a beautiful obit. hope things are good with you. with love, us xxxxx
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Caroline Stone (Edwards) Dear Tim:
It has been many many years since we were last in touch during law school. Occasionally in the intervening years, as I have been raising my daughter, I have thought of you and your brother, and I was saddened to see the notice today in the Globe. As someone who has spent the last 19 years parenting a special needs child, I can understand how tremendous the gap your brother leaves must be for all of you. Although I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Mike, it is clear that all of you made choices which allowed him to have a meaningful and important life and hopefully that will be of some comfort to all of you as you mourn his loss.
Please accept my sincere sympathies for your loss.
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Peter Chance It was my priviledge and pleasure to have known D’Arcy and Norah [Nonie Fleck] when I was quite young growing up in Ottawa. Their love and devotion to young D’Arcy was an example we could all well emulate
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your sad loss
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Kate (Wendy) and Brian Fitzgerald D’arcy always talked about Mikey in such a loving and caring way and often shared the “stories” of his humour. We know that he was such a big part of all your lives and that you will all miss him so much. May the memories of the joy and laughter that he was fill your hearts during this difficult time. Please know that we are thinking of you all and sending good healing thoughts.
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Joannea Lovell My deepest condolences to the family for the loss of beloved Mickey. I will treasure the time I spent with him especially singing “Oh my Papa” to his daddy.” He was indeed a very special person!
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Leslie and Nigel Brooks It sounds like Mike had a good life; he got to enjoy many people and experiences and that his was a life filled with music inside and out. Kudos to your parents, family and carers for loving Mike the way you did.
Our thoughts are with you all at this time.
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Elizabeth and Ted Mullens We were saddened to hear of Mike’s death and send our sincere sympathy to you all. He was a very special member of your family and enriched the lives of all who knew him. Our loving thoughts are with you.
Elizabeth and Ted.
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Anne Mullens Mike was a very special person whose joyous energy and appreciation of the little things made all those around him notice and appreciate those things, too — like just how yummy Tim’s mashed potatoes and gravy always are.
The Mullens-Baldrey family were definitely touched by his spirit and humanity and we share our love in this time of loss.
I was saddened to hear of Mike’s passing and my thoughts are with you all. The Langran’s and McGee’s spent a lot of time together in the 70s and 80s at Haliburton and Seaview respectively. Mike always recognized me, he was the type of person that I wish everyone was – he was interesting, but more importantly he was interested. Mike was never without a smile, always happy, and he brought light and energy to the room. One of the most valuable things I learned was how normal someone with Downs Syndrome is, and that, for me, was something I am grateful to have learned at a young age. Bless you Mike. Love from us all, Rory, Pippa, Georgina, and Beatrix