Obituary for Michael Ambrose Hooper
Michael Ambrose Hooper
September 11, 1990 - February 3, 2024
We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of our son & brother, Michael Ambrose Hooper.
Michael was born in New Westminster and raised in Coquitlam, but a piece of his heart was always with his Fijian family in Naisaumua Village, Tailevu. We were fortunate to visit our ancestral lands often and for Michael (affectionately known by his Fijian name, Maikeli) it was never just a “visit”, it always felt like coming home. As a young boy you could find him, barefoot and running around with all the other village boys. He knew he belonged. As he got older, you might find him doing work in the yard or plantation of our Papa’s house, helping his Yaca (namesake) with his boat or telling jokes and stories around the tanoa (grog bowl). Michael was incredibly proud of both his Fijian and British heritage.
He loved to laugh, he loved to make people laugh, and he was good at it. He had a cheeky, decidedly politically incorrect sense of humour and his laugh was contagious. Although he grew up in his family home in Coquitlam, Michael also knew what is was to be the “new kid”. His Dad’s work relocated the family on several different occasions throughout his childhood- interior BC, rural Ontario and most notably, Traralgon, Australia. Michael lived in Australia, with his family, for one year when he was seven years old. He had fond memories of his primary school, the friends he made there and the amazing animals and nature he got to see. Anywhere he went, Michael made friends easily. Whether he was the new kid in school, back home in Fiji or visiting
Manchester, UK, his Dad’s hometown. He had a big, warm smile and could connect with people effortlessly.
Michael cherished his family and friends and liked nothing better than to spend time with them. Going for walks and hikes, playing table tennis at Lafarge, playing basketball, going out to eat or see movies, playing Pokémon Go with Robert, crabbing or fishing with Tien, having random adventures with his childhood best friend, Andy, catching up with Kenneth and Iraj. Dedicated and loyal, it speaks to the kind of friend he was that he maintained friendships that began in childhood. Michael enjoyed his weekly coffee dates or grabbing fish and chips with his Dad. As a lifelong Manchester United fan, getting to see a match in the UK with his Dad was a highlight. Michael was curious about other cultures and religions, he loved food and was never afraid to try a new or unfamiliar dish. He loved watching football and discussing the Premier League with his Dad. He was also a lifelong WWE fan and getting to see a live show with his cousin, Jessica, was a treasured childhood memory.
Above all, Michael loved music. He inherited his love of music from his beloved Mum, Brigitte. Reggae, rock, country, soul, pop, r&b, hip hop, traditional Fijian, disco, 80’s and more- he adored music and singing. When he was two years old he would sing along to his Mum’s musical picks, for Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, he would sing, “Don’t worry about a sing, cos every little sing is gonna be alright”. Being able to see UB40 and The Wailers live in concert was an incredible experience for him. Michael was renowned among his friends for being able to freestyle rap as well as being a scene stealer at many a karaoke night. His karaoke go to’s were: Sharing the Night Together by Dr Hook, I Just Want to Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb and We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time) by Trooper.
Michael will be remembered for his warm heart, his kindness and his humour.
Michael is pre-deceased by his mother, Brigitte Hooper, paternal grandparents Edgar and Phyllis Hooper and maternal grandparents Thomas and Emma Smith. He is survived by his father, Ashley Hooper, brother Marc, sisters Victoria and Sereana (Elliott), nephews Stephen, Max, Jack, Tevita, niece Sarah, Aunty Buna, cousin Karlson and his Yaca’s, Eli Maikeli and Austin Ambrose. He is also survived by his extended Fijian family which includes many Uncles, Aunties, tavales (cousins), nieces and nephews, and especially by his Yaca Levu, Uncle Ambrose. He will be dearly missed by his large circle of friends.
Moce mada, Maikeli.
We will love and miss you for the rest of our days.
September 11, 1990 - February 3, 2024
We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of our son & brother, Michael Ambrose Hooper.
Michael was born in New Westminster and raised in Coquitlam, but a piece of his heart was always with his Fijian family in Naisaumua Village, Tailevu. We were fortunate to visit our ancestral lands often and for Michael (affectionately known by his Fijian name, Maikeli) it was never just a “visit”, it always felt like coming home. As a young boy you could find him, barefoot and running around with all the other village boys. He knew he belonged. As he got older, you might find him doing work in the yard or plantation of our Papa’s house, helping his Yaca (namesake) with his boat or telling jokes and stories around the tanoa (grog bowl). Michael was incredibly proud of both his Fijian and British heritage.
He loved to laugh, he loved to make people laugh, and he was good at it. He had a cheeky, decidedly politically incorrect sense of humour and his laugh was contagious. Although he grew up in his family home in Coquitlam, Michael also knew what is was to be the “new kid”. His Dad’s work relocated the family on several different occasions throughout his childhood- interior BC, rural Ontario and most notably, Traralgon, Australia. Michael lived in Australia, with his family, for one year when he was seven years old. He had fond memories of his primary school, the friends he made there and the amazing animals and nature he got to see. Anywhere he went, Michael made friends easily. Whether he was the new kid in school, back home in Fiji or visiting
Manchester, UK, his Dad’s hometown. He had a big, warm smile and could connect with people effortlessly.
Michael cherished his family and friends and liked nothing better than to spend time with them. Going for walks and hikes, playing table tennis at Lafarge, playing basketball, going out to eat or see movies, playing Pokémon Go with Robert, crabbing or fishing with Tien, having random adventures with his childhood best friend, Andy, catching up with Kenneth and Iraj. Dedicated and loyal, it speaks to the kind of friend he was that he maintained friendships that began in childhood. Michael enjoyed his weekly coffee dates or grabbing fish and chips with his Dad. As a lifelong Manchester United fan, getting to see a match in the UK with his Dad was a highlight. Michael was curious about other cultures and religions, he loved food and was never afraid to try a new or unfamiliar dish. He loved watching football and discussing the Premier League with his Dad. He was also a lifelong WWE fan and getting to see a live show with his cousin, Jessica, was a treasured childhood memory.
Above all, Michael loved music. He inherited his love of music from his beloved Mum, Brigitte. Reggae, rock, country, soul, pop, r&b, hip hop, traditional Fijian, disco, 80’s and more- he adored music and singing. When he was two years old he would sing along to his Mum’s musical picks, for Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, he would sing, “Don’t worry about a sing, cos every little sing is gonna be alright”. Being able to see UB40 and The Wailers live in concert was an incredible experience for him. Michael was renowned among his friends for being able to freestyle rap as well as being a scene stealer at many a karaoke night. His karaoke go to’s were: Sharing the Night Together by Dr Hook, I Just Want to Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb and We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time) by Trooper.
Michael will be remembered for his warm heart, his kindness and his humour.
Michael is pre-deceased by his mother, Brigitte Hooper, paternal grandparents Edgar and Phyllis Hooper and maternal grandparents Thomas and Emma Smith. He is survived by his father, Ashley Hooper, brother Marc, sisters Victoria and Sereana (Elliott), nephews Stephen, Max, Jack, Tevita, niece Sarah, Aunty Buna, cousin Karlson and his Yaca’s, Eli Maikeli and Austin Ambrose. He is also survived by his extended Fijian family which includes many Uncles, Aunties, tavales (cousins), nieces and nephews, and especially by his Yaca Levu, Uncle Ambrose. He will be dearly missed by his large circle of friends.
Moce mada, Maikeli.
We will love and miss you for the rest of our days.