Jan 4 1947 – March 10 2014
Michael passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family after a hard fought battle with cancer. His loving wife Sharon (Emmerson) of forty four years survives Mike.
Predeceased by his father Robert John (Johnny) Wickware of Port Credit, Ont. and his mother Nancy (Barrington-Foote) Wickware of London, England and his mother and father in-law Marg and Ron Emmerson, Victoria BC. Mike will be remembered by his loving sons Steven (Brenda) and Brian (Brooke) along with his 5 wonderful grandchildren Hillary, Sabrina, Justin, Phoenix and Cassius, all of who brought meaning and joy to Mike’s life.
Mike was a loving and caring son, brother, cousin, husband, uncle, father grandfather and friend. He loved most being a Grandfather and was often seen joining them in play.
Mike had many honourable qualities (more than space will allow); most missed by his family will be his wonderful sense of humor and infectious laugh. He truly valued his friendships (some more than fifty years in the making) and enjoyed being a friend you could count on. He was regularly seen waving to the traffic on his street and went out of his way to say hello to all who passed within earshot. Mike’s ability to maintain his integrity and honesty in all situations was truly graceful and he was admired for it.
“Nick da boy” was the term Stevens’s children called him until their later years when they began to call him grandpa. Brian’s children affectionately knew him as Papa Mike. Mike was proud to be referred to by these names and treasured being a part of their lives. Also survived by his sisters, Roberta Barbazuk, Vancouver and family and Kathy (Dale) Hempstock and family, Spruce Grove Alberta, brother in-law Gary (Bonnie) Emmerson and family Calgary Alberta and “Aunty” Kay Chapman Richmond BC.
Johnny and Nancy and Roberta made the long trek down from the Canadian Arctic to North Vancouver where Mike was born in January 1947. Later that year (after a short hiatus) the family returned north to Pangnirtung, Baffin Island NWT where his is father resumed his position as a Hudson’s Bay store manager in a new location. Living in the Canadian Arctic in the 1940’s and 50’s was a somewhat different upbringing than of his friends would have enjoyed. Mike and Roberta were home schooled by Nancy and taught the ways of the North by a local Inuit man Killabuk (a huge influence and a man Mike admired his entire life) even picking up some of the Inuit language. Family photos of the two supply ships per year, one before the ice and one after, show Mike and his family dressed in seal skin clothing and boots. Seven years later the family, with its most recent addition sister Kathy, moved south to Winnipeg, Man. to give the kids the educational opportunities that were not available in the north. A few years later they moved again to Saskatoon where Mike graduated from Walter Murray Collegiate Institute.
Mike joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1966 and proudly served for the next 35 years retiring in 2001 as a Commander. He served on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Serving in Her Majesty Canadian Ships HMCS Beacon Hill, Assiniboine, St Croix, Columbia, Terra Nova, Fundy, Miramichi, and Cowichan. He held positions at Fleet School in Halifax and Esquimalt, Maritime Headquarters Pacific, National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa Canadian Forces St. John, St. Johns Newfoundland and NATO Headquarters in Norfolk Virginia.
Upon retirement in 2001 from the Royal Canadian Navy Mike and Sharon returned to the west coast, settling in Victoria to be near their Family.
In the early years Mike enjoyed Squash, running and cycling (riding to work for years before it was fashionable). In later years he became addicted to Salmon fishing and then golf. Mike was an active Ham Radio operator, like his Dad, with call sign VE7BIN. Eventually teaching others how to become a radio operator. Later still he rode his Motor Scooter with the Shriner Thunderbirds, a gateway to his next addiction, riding his Vulcan 900 Kawasaki motorcycle. He was often seen riding to Ladysmith just to pick up some goodies for his grandchildren from the bakery. Mike was a proud Mason. Starting his association in 1975 in Halifax in St Andrew’s Lodge, his mother lodge. On retirement he affiliated with Vancouver and Quadra lodge No 2 in Victoria. Additionally he was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner.
Retirement brought Sharon and Mike back to the pleasant weather and ambiances of Victoria. They enjoyed annual trips to Alberta to visit family and frequent cruises to Vancouver via BC Ferry to see his grandchildren and friends, as well an annual month long trip to Maui, an escape from the low overcast and rain. He was proud to have survived not one, but two tsunamis in Maui and smiled when he said it was terrible having to leave the pool to head for higher ground.
Mike’s greatest love was his Family and he showed us that everyday in how he lived. His advice to you would be to surround yourself with the ones you love and enjoy the world. He did. You are missed Mike, Dad, Grandpa.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
15 Responses
It’s 2023 and while visiting Victory I drove by a place on the highway where I went with Mike while we were cadets at Venture. I was hoping that I could search him out to say hi after all these years. I’m saddened to read of his passing. My condolences to his family.
My sincerest sympathies to Sharon and family, on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Our friendship goes back 50 years to Walter Murray High School, where we were in the class. We remained friends over this period of time and I will miss him.
We were shocked with the news of Mike`s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family Sharon. Mike was such a thoughtful man. We enjoyed our time in Newfoundland with you both so much. Mike still mentions your Mike, every time he sees a bottle of Grand Marnier. He will imitate Mike, by dabbing it behind his ears. Then years later when Christmas music arrived in the mail from an unknown source, we had to smile because we knew it was from Mike. Both of your, compassion, and help when my pregnancy did not go as planned, is always remembered. We also had such great times in the Wickware tent trailer. Thank you. People like you and Mike make the world a better place.
Aunt Sharon, Steven & Brenda, Brian & Brooke, and all the kids: my love and thoughts are with you.
You know better than anyone that Uncle Mike was a great person in the truest sense of the words. He was a pillar of support for me when I needed one most, and I think of him often and very fondly. I miss him, but I’m lucky to have many wonderful memories that help keep him in my heart, as I’m sure you do too. His legacy is profound. I think of him every time I have occasion to tell a joke: my go-to is one he told me years ago.
Janice and I have been so saddened to hear of Mike’s departure. He is gone from this earth but not from our memories. We will always think of him at Staff college and Yellow Point. Boy did we have belly laughs! We count ourselves so fortunate to be among the few people on this planet that got to know him. Fair winds and following seas my friend.