Obituary of Michael Russell Williams

On February 3rd, 1945, Esme Kathleen Williams, along with her sister and mother, walked the streets in Colchester, England hearing bombs in the distance. They were on their way to the hospital to deliver Michael Russell Williams.

Mike was the first-born son of Esme and Russell Williams. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Murray, his son Eric (Erin), daughter Natalie (Kyle), grandchildren Noah, Seth, Evan, West, Miles, Maia and Milo, great grandchildren Sophia and Serenity, his sister Jennifer (David), brother Andrew (Shelley), as well as many nieces and nephews. His son Eric and daughter Natalie were a source of great pride.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother Martin, special nephew Jefferson Francis, and lifetime best friend Eric Surrette, as well as his pals George Doherty and Dick Greenwell.

When only an infant, Mike and his mother, a war bride, left England and moved to Truro, N. S. As a military family, postings were inevitable, and Mike’s favourite posting was Germany. From there he could visit his beloved English Family with whom he maintained a lifetime contact. Mike liked to brag that he had a passport at the age of 14, and could travel alone to Colchester, England every summer.

Mike’s love and dedication to engineering work was apparent to anyone who knew him. He moved from Montreal to Sudbury, prior to taking a position in Fredericton with the engineering firm Neil & Gunter in 1973. He worked as an Engineering Technician and job site Manager with the company for 10 years before embarking on his own as a Consultant. Mike looked forward to taking on large projects out of country. One of his favourite jobs was in the Philippines. Wherever he travelled, home or abroad, Mike made lifetime friends. Mike cherished his weekly lunches with former workmates, to name a few, Greg Tattersall, Robin Hopper, Scott Cooke, Bevan Gallagher and Dean McKeen.

Mike had many interests: a profound love of music of all genres, with a vinyl collection to be envied; photography was a passion for many years, as well as bird watching; and constructing creative dioramas of World War 11 Battlefields, complete with handmade and painted military aircraft, armoured vehicles and field guns of all types. He was a voracious reader with special interests in military history, biographies, and rock and roll. Mike could proudly remember the “B” side of any rock and roll tune.

Mike was a member of the Fredericton Golf Club for years, a member of a dart club at UNB, a downhill skier, a competitive horse shoe player, as well as a self-proclaimed Scotch connoisseur. He insisted that his ashes be placed in a Scotch bottle.

Mike loved to travel and took many trips to England, Africa, Germany, France, and Scotland. Upon retirement, he and Marilyn bought a motor home and travelled extensively across Canada and the United States.

By request, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Modern Celebrations & Cremations. For those who wish memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Mike always said that he wanted to live for 1000 months…. He was just 56 months shy of this goal, passing away on October 1st, 2023.

 

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