John Michael “Mike” Harvey, born February 15, 1942, in Trail, British Columbia, passed away peacefully after a long journey with Alzheimer’s.

Shakespeare’s words in Henry V capture something of Mike: “Men of few words are the best men.” He was a quiet, thoughtful, and kind man who preferred to work quietly in the background and never sought the spotlight. He had a steady presence and a gentle, easygoing nature that made him easy to be around. He also had a fondness for small jokes and puns, which he shared with quiet delight.

Growing up in Trail, BC, Mike was part of an active family that loved skiing and spent much of his youth on Red Mountain. After studying at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, he spent a formative year travelling in Europe, including teaching skiing in Leysin, Switzerland. Those experiences became favourite stories throughout his life and helped inspire in his sons a curiosity about the wider world.

He built a long career with Air Liquide, later working with the Canadian Welding Bureau and as an independent management systems auditor well into his later years. Over the course of his life, he lived in Trail, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, Brampton, and spent summers in Cap-à-l'Aigle, Quebec.

Mike loved being outdoors. Whether hiking, skiing, or jogging, he was always eager to explore what might lie over the next hill. He ran in the Terry Fox Run every year from its beginning until 2015 and enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with family and friends.

He was also a talented woodworker who took great pride in building things with his hands. Time spent at the family cottage in Quebec was especially meaningful to him, where he enjoyed the outdoors, working on projects, and simply being with family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Molly (Mary); his son Andrew and daughter-in-law Amanda; and grandsons Sam and Ian of Tromsø, Norway. He is also remembered by his brother David of Whistler, BC; his sister Pat Chamberlain of Kamloops, BC; his daughter-in-law Erin Watt of Vancouver, BC; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved son David (1978–2015).

Mike will be remembered for his kindness, quiet strength, gentle humour, and love of the outdoors.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Brampton at 1 p.m. on Friday, the 13th of March.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society Peel or St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Brampton, Ontario.