January 7, 1954 – May 1, 2012
Michael was born in Victoria and attended St. Michael’s and Oak Bay High Schools. He moved to Toronto after some travel adventures and took his Bachelor of Fine Arts in film studies at Ryerson. After graduation he worked for the CBC doing mostly documentaries which married his love of film and history with research. Michael was always the writer and returned to Victoria to be close to family and pursue his passion. He was predeceased by his parents, Bunty and Ray Wainwright and is lovingly remembered by his sister, Lorraine (Andrew) Gates. He was much loved Uncle Mike to niece, Stephanie and nephew, Adrian (Leah) and story teller and lego builder to great-nephews, Ronan and Cairo. Fondly remembered by his Aunty Barb and cousin Anne and other extended family. Michael had many great friends and he was a true and passionate friend in return. He was for many years a proud member of VEAC and enjoyed the companionship of his Broad Street coffee buddies. Michael was a man of faith and valued the community of St. Peter and St. Paul Esquimalt. Michael was a thoroughly nice guy who welcomed enthusiastically, acknowledged strengths and supported others whenever he could. He loved and was loved by the children of the Sunday School. He really enjoyed old Sci-Fi movies, baseball, good food, a cold beer and Raymond Chandler. Michael was truly an artist who experienced both highs and lows, but in his last years consciously focused outward with compassion and understanding for whomever he met. He chose to be buried close to his friends in St. Paul’s Cemetery (Esquimalt).
Michael’s requiem will be held at St. Peter and St. Paul (1379 Esquimalt Rd.) on Friday, May 4th at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Peter and St. Paul’s or the Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Bill Sault
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Glen Perry I will always fondly remember teaching Sunday school with Michael, doing adult confirmation classes together, but above all discussing anything on history. I was glad to get to know Michael and will sorely miss him. My thoughts and prayers with Lorraine and family. God bless you Michael, your faith is an inspiration for me. Hope to see you again one day.
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Keith Brownsey My wife, Kathryn and I, were surprised and saddened to learn of Michael’s passing. He was a good friend who always offered his support and humour in any situation.
Michael will be missed. He was a good friend. His kindness and hospitality toward me when I was visiting Toronto for research was greatly appreciated. Both of us thought about him often.
He was a true spark; his sense of humour was unrivaled. It is with much sadness that that we say goodbye.
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Cathy Hunt I am so sad to hear of Michael’s passing. He was a treasured member of our Ryerson Film Year 1979. I will always remember Michael with a huge smile on his face and receiving a loving hug of greeting from his tall frame. He was a creative writer with an incredibly open heart. May he be forever in the light and truly be at peace. My heartfelt condolences to Michael’s dear ones.
Cathy Hunt-Griffin
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SCOTT USBORNE I am surprised to hear of Mike’s passing. I have not seen him for more than 30 years, but I have fond memories of playing with him when we were growing up. We wargamed, piloted an old car substituting for a “spaceship” and even made a movie (on 8mm video, no less) based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea- all in the basement of his parent’s house. Mike even had us build a set, for the movie, of the Nautilus’ control room complete with periscope!
Mike was a clever man with a fertile imagination, who created fun and “virtual” adventure.
He will be missed. I wish we had met one more time.
My condolences.
Scott
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Sheerah I only knew your brother for an hour on Monday, April 30th, but it was great to have met him! He told me he was looking forward to heaven, having a refreshing drink of beer on a hot day! We had some laughs; I shook his hand and told him I would see him again.
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David Tucker My sincere condolences to Lorraine and her family. Michael was always kind and compassionate, dedicated and loyal, trusted and true. I will miss my friend
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Stavros Stavrides I have known Michael from our Ryerson days. Always upbeat, willing to help, always with an unshakeable optimism, goodwill and an unbeatable sense of humor brought upon by his keen observation of life around him.
I honor his life, and his peaceful passage to what awaits beyond.
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Kerry I had the pleasure of working with Michael at Price’s Alarms where he wrote up “attempted but thwarted break-in stories” for Price’s newsletter. His writing was always entertaining, as was Michael himself. He had a great sense of humour but also stuck me as one of the kindest and gentlest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I heard Michael had become quite ill but on later chance meetings when I asked how he was doing, the response was always upbeat and hopeful without a trace of self-pity; his attitude was: “there are lots of people out there that are worse off than me”. He’s in a better place but he will be missed.
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Joanne Kimm It is with great sorrow that we learned of Michael’s passing. He was truly a great role model to my son, who often speaks fondly of him. We will miss his laugh, his smile, and his devotion to the Sunday School.
He now rests in the arms of the Lord, and we send our prayers to Lorraine and family.
Joanne and David
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Nella Vitiello Please know how very sorry I am for the loss of your brother Michael. Please know that the love of family and friends around you will help you threw the days ahead. May God give you the strength to overcome the pain.
My deepest sympathy to Lorraine & family.
Nella Vitiello & Family
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Gord Fish I have been blessed to be known as a one of Mike’s friends for the past 40 years. His quick wit and infectious laugh drew me to him – his compassion and honesty were the bonds. My most favourite memories include the many camping/cabining adventures we had through VEAC, collaborating on ‘artistic’ ventures (The Tour, The Plaque of Dr. Enamel), proof reading his books and sitting/walking/standing somewhere enjoying a beer/scotch/cigar/meal while discussing life/death/religion and God. He always asked about my family and spoke warmly of his. He is my friend and I will miss him.
My heartfelt condolences to Lorraine, Andrew and family.Gord
Hi
I am so sorry to hear that Michael is no longer with us.
We were friends at Ryerson together & I will never forget our first week of school. As part of a film project Mike and I, along with some other students, took the red rocket (TTC streetcar) to the beaches and mucked about on the beach with our 8mm camera. It was a lovely sunny September day with us getting to know each other, a day I will always keep as a precious memory of Michael. He was a very special guy & I am a better person for knowing him.
Bill Sault