Mike passed away peacefully at Rotary Hospice, Stratford on October 25, 2019. Mike fought hard to stay with us, but he also lived in extraordinary peace and assurance of his eternal home. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 42 years, Maria and his children of which he was so proud; Shawn (Julie) and Leah (Brian). He was the loving Papa to his six grandchildren; Lincoln, Michael, Hazel, Jack, Eli and Mollie.
He was the son of the late John and Agnes Walsh, brother to the late Lucy Walsh and brother-in-law Michael Northcote. He leaves behind his siblings Mary Ryan (Ron), Joe Walsh (Lynn), Julie Jarecsni (Andrew) and Helen Muir (Dennis). He is also survived by his favourite mother-in-law, Jean and father-in-law, Bernie Boersma, sister-in-laws Linda Brauner (Eric), Heidi Smith (Gary), Patricia Bootsma (John) and brothers-in-law Hart Boersma (JoAnne), Siebren Boersma (Angela) and Joel Boersma (Alix) and many nephews and nieces including his god son Bill Ryan.
From an early age Mike valued hard work! He started with peeling potatoes, setting up pins at the bowling alley, handing out speakers at the drive in theatre, selling shoes and stocking shelves at Dominion Groceries. He jumped into manufacturing industries and soon assumed management roles, all the while selling real-estate on the side. Then in 1994 he made the leap into his full-time real-estate career. Mike loved being a realtor and always said, when you love what you do, it’s not work. He recently renewed another two year licence – he never wanted to retire.
Mike was a long-time member of the Stratford Country Club. When anyone asked how often he played golf he would respond with “only once a day and twice on Friday”. He was generally the first tee off, always loving the early morning quiet. Golf refreshed his soul!
When the weather cooled you could find him enjoying his old love for pool at the senior’s centre, renewing old acquaintances and regaining his skills from his teens. Mike was a long time participant at Jubilee Stratford Church and had a great love for this community.
Mike lived by and taught us: Live below your means. Don’t sweat the small stuff. God is your source. Be happy when others succeed. Take one day at a time. Do the very best you can with what’s in front of you.
Family and friends are invited to a funeral service at Jubilee Stratford, 707 Downie Street, Stratford on Thursday, October 31, at 11 am. A reception time to visit with family will be held after the service at the Stratford Country Club, 53 Romero Street, Stratford. Come anytime between 12:30 – 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street Stratford 519.271. 7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
