At the age of 52, of Ottawa passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 29, 2024, at the Ottawa General Hospital.
Michel grew up in Ottawa, but he was profoundly attached to Acadian and New Brunswick culture. He spent summers with family and friends in Tracadie, Upper-Sheila and St Leonard, N.B. His fondest memories were family trips to Fundy Park; spending time at his grandfather Breau’s camp on the Big Tracadie River and winning at Skip Bo while playing with his paternal grandmother. In St Leonard he, with his sister, found love, security and care from his maternal grandparents when his parents had to be away. This also introduced them to the unique way of life of the Madawaska region with its Buckwheat thin crêpes, and picking raspberries with his grandmother Caron.
Michel had a personality that lit up a room. His down to earth self, his willingness to always help, and always working with people and colleagues to solve problems. You were always guaranteed a good conversation and a laugh when talking with Michel. Michel was a people person through and through. He took pride in helping others, seeing others happy, and bringing a smile to peoples’ faces. He had a special way to successfully bring people together and solve problems in his work as a Condominium Manager. He applied the same skills as President of the Gloucester Centre Minor Hockey Association (GCMHA) and in all his business undertakings.
Michel loved playing hockey from a young age and continued his involvement with the sport as an adult. He valued the opportunity to volunteer with minor hockey in the community and work with youth to help them develop their skills and grow their love of the sport. He was a dedicated volunteer with GCMHA for 12 years; a Board member for 10 of these years and President for the last 4 years. He was heavily involved in several initiatives to grow the programs offered within the community including the 4-on-4 program, and the hockey outreach program for children of Syrian refugees to Canada. He also piloted the GCMHA merger with Orleans Minor Hockey Association.
Outside of work and hockey, Michel had a love for vehicles. As a toddler he loved helping his grandfather drive the Payloader and racing hot wheels down the West Block hallways of Parliament while his father was in meetings or in his office. As a teenager he worked at a car dealership; and eventually owned his own car rental franchise and car detailing business. To this day, there are more cars than drivers parked in Michel’s driveway, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. And if he wasn’t behind the wheel of a car, going for a long relaxing drive, you could find him behind the wheel of his boat relaxing on the Ottawa River.
He is survived by his parents Herb and Anne (Caron); his son Matthew; his sister Hélène (Craig Cluney) and nephews Eric and Evan; his loving partner Ruthanne and children Sarah and Jackson; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins in New Brunswick, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto and British Columbia who all loved him like their own.
The family would like to thank the very competent, kind and wonderful staff at the Ottawa Cancer Clinic, as well as the 6th floor of the General Hospital for their care and support for Michel and the family during his challenge of 4 years and 5 months managing a very aggressive form of cancer.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Friday. November 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with Memories being shared at 5:00 p.m.
Donations can be made in Michel’s name to your local hockey youth development program or a youth sport development program of your choice.
52 ans, est décédé paisiblement entouré de sa famille, le mardi 29 octobre 2024, à l’hôpital Général d’Ottawa.
Michel a grandi à Ottawa, mais il était très attaché à la culture acadienne et celle du Nouveau Brunswick et se disait toujours Acadien. Comme enfant, il passait les étés avec la famille et la parenté à Tracadie, Haut-Sheila et St-Léonard N.B. Ses meilleurs souvenirs étaient les voyages et les vacances passés au Parc Fundy avec son cousin et sa cousine Bérubé. Ou encore le temps passé avec son Grand-papa, Alyre, à son camp sur la Grande Rivière de Tracadie, gagner au Skip Bo avec sa grand-maman paternelle, Régine. À St-Léonard, lui et sa sœur, Hélène, trouvaient l’amour, la sécurité et les soins de ses grands-parents, Léo et Gertrude Caron, lors des nombreux voyages de ses parents à l’extérieur du pays. C’est là qu’ils ont connu la belle région du Madawaska, savouré les ployes à mémère Caron. Aller ramasser des framboises avec mémère était une réelle aventure, et traverser les frontières du Maine, une intrigue pour des enfants.
Michel avait une personnalité qui pouvait illuminer un groupe. Il aimait simplifier la vie et cherchait constamment à apporter de l’aide aux autres. Il aimait travailler avec ses collègues et résoudre tout ce qui pouvait se présenter devant lui. Toujours jovial, Michel était un “people’s person » avec un grain d’humour pour alléger la conversation. Au fil des années, aider les autres est devenu sa raison d’être. Il était fier de rendre heureux ceux qui l’entouraient et de les faire sourire. Cette façon de réunir les gens l’a grandement aidé dans son entreprise de gestionnaire de Condominium. Il a apporté les mêmes habilités à son rôle de Président du Gloucester Centre Minor Hockey Association (GCMHA) tout comme dans le monde des affaires.
Michel a joué au hockey dès un jeune âge et est demeuré engagé dans ce sport devenu adulte. Il a saisi l’occasion de participer en tant que bénévole pour le hockey mineur dans sa communauté afin d’aider les jeunes à développer leurs habilités et à aimer le sport. Il a été bénévole pour la GCMHA pendant 12 ans; membre du Conseil pendant 10 ans et Président pour les 4 dernières années. Il a promu et implanté de nombreuses initiatives pour développer le programme, incluant le programme « 4 contre 4 ». Il était très fier d’avoir introduit l’initiative visant la participation des enfants de réfugiés Syriens de la région d’Ottawa au hockey. Il a aussi dirigé avec succès la fusion de deux associations de hockey mineur des secteurs Gloucester et Orléans d’Ottawa.
Comme loisir, Michel adorait tout ce qui roule : automobiles, camions ou tracteurs. Comme enfant, son grand-père Alyre lui faisait conduire le chargeur (Payloader). Dans le Bloc de l’Ouest du Parlement, lorsque son Papa était occupé au bureau ou en réunion, il n’avait pas le temps de s’ennuyer. Il imaginait, avec Hélène, des courses avec hot wheels dans le corridor (une distraction amicale avec le personnel des bureaux longeant le corridor). Adolescent, Michel a travaillé dans une agence de location d’autos et a éventuellement possédé sa propre franchise de locations d’autos et de maintien d’automobiles. Aujourd’hui, il y a plus de véhicules dans sa cour que de chauffeurs, et c’est ce qu’il désirait. Jusqu’à sa dernière admission à l’hôpital, son bonheur était encore de se trouver comme conducteur pour une randonnée en voiture ou sur son bateau, voguant sur l’historique rivière des Outaouais.
Il est survécu par ses parents Herb et Anne (Caron); son fils Matthew; sa sœur Hélène, son beau-frère Craig Cluney et ses neveux Éric et Evan ; sa conjointe bien-aimée Ruthanne (ses enfants Sarah et Jackson) et de nombreux oncles et tantes, cousins et cousines résidant au Nouveau Brunswick, à Montréal, au lac St-Jean, dans la région de Toronto, et en Colombie Britannique. Ils l’ont tous aimé comme s’il était un des leurs.
La famille tient à remercier le personnel médical du Centre d’oncologie d’Ottawa pour les soins attentifs, leur souci et leur dévouement envers Michel pendant les 4 ans et 5 mois durant lesquels il a défié un cancer très agressif.
La famille tient aussi à souligner l’équipe du 6e étage de l’hôpital Général pour leur professionnalisme, leur compassion envers Michel et l’attention qu’ils apportent quotidiennement à leur travail tellement exigeant.
Michel aurait aimé que ceux qui le peuvent fassent un don, en sa mémoire, à un organisme de hockey ou tout autre sport dédié à la contribution des enfants et des jeunes à leur communauté.
Digital Guestbook
Marc-André LeBlanc
Sharon Morton
My sincere condolences for you and your family on losing Michel and on this day, a celebration of his life. From this photo you can tell he definitely would light up the room. He sounded like a force to be reckoned with and he did really kick Cancer in the butt. I wish I could be there to support you today but certainly I am sending virtual hugs to you and your extended family! Thinking of you all at this time Sharon and all the team xx
Lyle Makosky and Joy Baxter
An amazing man who we loved dearly. His courage and humanity in the face of unspeakable pain is an inspiration to us.....we lost one of the good guys.....so sorry for your loss Ruth.
Richard and Ruth Green
Our most sincere condolences to all of Michel‘s family. My family and I moved in two houses down from Michel and Ruth and from the very beginning, he treated us all as a member of his own family. Generous with his time, thoughtful and helpful, he would always welcome our kids into his home and keep an eye out for them, like an extension of our own family. He was my son‘s first coach in hockey and was always supportive throughout his development. Always ready with a playful joke and kind smile even when he became ill.
With a quick wit and an ever-present twinkle in his eye, Michel had an uncanny ability to bring out the lighter side of every situation. Whether it was sharing a joke that had everyone in stitches or adding a funny twist to the simplest of stories, he knew how to spark laughter in a way that left us all feeling lighter. He seemed to have a joke for every occasion and a story for every season.
The magic of Michel’s humour was in its warmth. He had that rare, wonderful way of making everyone feel included, turning neighbours into friends and friends into family. Our kids would gather around, waiting for his next hilarious tale, and even the grumpiest among us couldn’t resist a smile when he was around.
But it wasn’t just his jokes that made him special. There was kindness woven into his humour, a gentle way of making others feel better even when times were tough. Our youngest girls would go visit Michel to be in the presence of his warmth.
Now, as we reflect on his life, we realize that he taught us more than just to laugh. He taught us to find joy in the small things, to embrace the ridiculous, and to share a smile, even with strangers. He reminded us that life is best lived with laughter, that a good joke can bridge any gap, and that humor, at its best, brings people together.
Our neighborhood feels a little quieter, a little emptier without him. But his laughter, and his joy live on in each of us. We were blessed to know Michel – a truly great friend and neighbour who made the world a happier place, one joke at a time. We’ll miss him dearly, but we’ll carry his laughter with us, always.
Roohi Ahmed
Dear Anne, Herb, Hélène and family,
No words can fulfill this unexplainable loss. It seems just like yesterday we saw Michel playing with our baby brother in the neighborhood on Ludgate with walkie talkies and hot wheels. I still have Michel's image as that cute little boy with the big beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair. Both your children and yourselves were so loved by our family. You were wonderful next-door neighbors. It is very sad and coincidental that our mom, Taj Afza Ahmed, was on the same 6th floor cancer ward at the Ottawa General Hospital as Michel. Mom passed away just 5 days before Michel at the May Court Hospice where she was transferred and she also lies at rest in Beechwood cemetery. After posting her obituary we saw Michel's and were so saddened by his passing too. Our mom used to love children and both Hélène and Michel were a joy for her. On behalf of my family, we send you our deepest sympathy and prayers for strength to endure this painful loss and for Michel to rest in peace. He made a positive impact in his life which I'm sure will go a long way with all those children who will benefit from his contributions through hockey. We have beautiful memories of your family and will always be with you. With sincere condolences and friendship, from Roohi Ahmed on behalf of the Ahmeds.
Lea Hamilton
Ruth, I am deeply sorry for your loss. It was very sad to hear of Michel's passing. I feel lucky to have had that visit, although much too brief, with you both this passed August here in Nova Scotia on your way back to Ottawa. He will be missed.
Laura Fumagalli and Ana Casteleiro
Dear Ruthanne, we are so sorry for your lost. You are on our thoughts and we wish we could give you a hug. Our sincere condolences.
Abdolalipour, Masumeh
I write this note with a bit of tears in my eyes, thinking how hard would be to lose such a great partner in friendship and love, I pray for Ruthanne and rest of the family strength during this sad time, hope time heals you all and be able to start celebrating Michel's memory again and again. Masumah
Mes condoléances