Obituary of Mike Gendron

"Mike's Life Journey"

 

Mike was born in the Ottawa valley, in Pembroke Ontario - the best tomatoes ever. He had an idyllic life growing up with his family, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends in this great town. He loved ball and hockey, he was a goalie with the Junior A Pembroke Lumber Kings.

He joined the royal Canadian navy in January 1965. Mike was a sailor all his life. He retired in 1975 after serving ten years in the Royal Canadian Navy. He kept the Navy alive by telling stories about his experiences at sea and abroad. He left the service with his Petty Officer 2 promotion sitting on the table. “Ready Aye Ready!”.

He had a few ventures in the restaurant industry and community sports while living with his young family in Beaverbank, Nova Scotia. It also brought him to Bathurst, NB.

Through his caring for the needy and unfortunate, he worked with three other individuals to incorporate Canada Food Banks. From his office in Campbellton and then Bathurst, he and his team promoted volunteer action in the community for ten years.

Food services took him from owning Captain’s Pantry and Motor Inn in Belledune for 11 years, to managing food services at AECL in Chalk River, then NBCC Saint John, Point Lepreau Generating Station, and RNS for Lewis Foods from Hamilton Ontario.

Retiring in 2015 found him traveling out to his sister-in-law's in south Surrey, BC, and his son's Derek's in Victoria. His travel buddies Velma & Ron brought us to Portugal, Italy, Arizona, San Antonio (Texas), Nashville, NOLA, Florida and Myrtle Beach, always with golf clubs in hand. He shared Myrtle Beach with Colleen and Frank. He loved his visits with Lynne at her cottage and golfing a few games at Gowan Brae. No wonder his son Chris calls him "Sporty".

Wherever Mike went he carried his Navy stories, his sense of humor, and his love of feeding people with him. He had an eye for color like his mother. Nothing pleased him more than preparing platters of food for all on board.

Three recent winters in Zephyrhills, Florida gave him many new people to tell his stories to and to share his love of golf with. His good friends in Florida continue to provide great support in order to sell his winter home there.

He is predeceased by his brother, Danny; mother, Iona; father, Romeo; and his first wife, Barbara.

His wife Dianne (and her large family); his sons, Christopher (Mary), and Derek; step-sons, Jay (Jo-Anne), Scott (Glenyce), and Jeff; his grandsons, who called him Grumpy, Hayden, Jude, Rowan, and Nate; his sister, Colleen (Frank and his dear family); and all his friends will dearly miss his kind and loving nature.

He just finished making sure the house was decorated for Christmas, both indoors and out, and the gifts were all purchased. His partner Dianne loved his strength of character, kindness, and love for life and adventure. She will carry his spirit forward.

Mike traveled through the health care system here in Fredericton from Paramedics to ER to CCU. Every step of the way he was treated by Professionals. The Nurses, Doctors, cleaning staff, food service staff worked as a team to make Mike's life journey come to a fitting end. With great care and dignity Debra, Herta and Cassie and their fellow caregivers provided Mike with exceptional nursing care and comfort. Dr. Woodbury, Dr. McLeod, Dr.Randall, Dr. Smith and the ACT team described very succinctly to us his diagnoses, treatment, prognosis, and expectations. Our family and friends who gathered around Michael were comforted with wonderful care and attention including a trolley of coffee, tea, and crumpets daily.

He wanted to visit his friends, Ed and Sheila Stansfield in Rothsay this fall. He planned to visit his parents' grave in Pembroke next summer. We will take you there.

He was a good friend of Bill's for 43 years.

Thank you for your service Mike.