Michael Edmund Gariepy

Mike passed away peacefully surrounded by love and family. Our hearts are shattered.

Mike was born in Victoria, the middle son of Walter E. (Eddie) and Maude Gariepy. His mum was a war bride. His older brother Bob was born in Brighton UK and his younger brother Bill was born in Calgary where Eddie rejoined the Air Force. The first posting for the family was Germany, then Rivers Manitoba and finally Sea Island (Richmond) B.C. Mike finished school in Richmond and followed Bob in joining the Air Force. During his CAF career, Mike was posted across Canada and to Germany.

His children Kelly and Michael were born while he was stationed at Borden, Ont. Mike's final posting was in Comox where he met Marge through their mutual friend Heather James. He retired after 28 years in the CAF, he then sold Real Estate and loved the personal contact. Medical issues forced him to retire after 12 years. Mike and Marge had 35 years of love, laughter, adventures and travel. Mike and Marge spent 17 winters in Palm Springs as well as many times spending 3-4 weeks travelling around Europe, Canada, Costa Rica, Alaska, China and the Caribbean. They loved touring the western US and visited Mexico many times by air and car including driving from Bucerius to Saint Antonio Texas. He loved seeing and experiencing new things. Mike was a trustworthy, reliable and happy man. He loved being physically active and skied, played ball, ran, played ice hockey, rode his bike, played golf, horseshoes and pickleball. Everyone who knew him knew his happy whistling and singing. He loved his dogs and took them for long walks in the northeast woods, whistling or singing as he went.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, his brother Bob and his wife Marsha, and his brother Bill. He leaves broken hearted Marge, Kelly (James) and Michael, his sister in law Marilynne, his nieces and nephews Darryl (Dawna), Kimberley (Kory), Gord (Laura), Jennifer (Randy) and grand nieces and nephews Geoff (Bari), Steven (Rayne and their 4 children), Krysten (Adam), Madison (Darius) and Skyler (Braedan) and many friends here and in California. For many years he was part of the Tuesday Morning Timmys retired CAF consisting of work pals Harlin Price, Tom Fisher, Chris Little, Trevor Hallam, and George McKenzie.

Donations to the BC Cancer Foundation in Mike's name are gratefully accepted. A celebration of Mike's life will be held on his 80th birthday, April 17,2026 at the Comox Legion at 1 PM. 

There will be a Poppy Service at Mike's Celebration of Life.