A.Michael (Mike) Parent, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 13, 2017 in Coquitlam B.C. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Juanita, his brother Bernard (Rosemary), his children, Michael (Katherine), Katherine (Sean), Frances (Bill) and Janice (Henry), his grandchildren, Laura (Stephen), Andrew, Charlotte (Paul), Linda, Patrick, Allison, Johnathan, David and Michael and his great grandchildren Julie, Lucie, Genevieve and Celeste.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Ambrose and Alice Parent, Michael graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He married Juanita in 1953 and they relocated to Ontario where he worked in various engineering and management positions with Provincial Engineering, Canron, Esna and Slater Steel. He completed his MBA at York University in Toronto.
In 1977, he relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia to join Bow Valley Industries until his retirement.
Michael was an avid golfer having been a member of The Board of Trade in Toronto, Ancaster Golf and Country Club in Ancaster and Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.
He was a lover of books, never leaving the house without his library card or having a stack of books on the dining room table. A lover of the arts, he shared his appreciation of classical music, theater and dance with his friends and family. Over the years Mike and Juanita had many opportunities to see the world via trains, planes and automobiles. But cruising was his favourite way to travel.
A man of faith and a devout member of the Catholic Church, Michael made prayer the cornerstone of his life.
But his true passion was his family. Michael was always there to offer advice, encouragement and words of wisdom.
A proud and devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather, he will be missed.
We are deeply grateful to the nurses and caregivers at Dufferin Care Center, Eagle Ridge Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital.