Obituary for Michael Wilhemus "Mike" Ooyevaar
Michael “Mike” Ooyevaar passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 5, 2024, at the age of 64 years. He is survived by his mother Nellie; sisters Remona (Mick) MacKay, Teresa Ooyevaar and brothers David and Patrick Ooyevaar; 2 nieces Alix (Andrew Strain) MacKay and McKenzie (Alexander) Romanow; 2 nephews Max (Lisa McAdam) MacKay and Hunter Brett; 1 great-niece Eva Strain and 1 great-nephew Liam Strain. Predeceased by his father, Joe Ooyevaar in 2022.
Michael was born in Williams Lake, B.C. Growing up he spent many happy years together with his four siblings and the neighbourhood kids exploring the town and its surroundings. He was an avid hockey player; he attended UBC hockey school twice and coached minor hockey in Williams Lake and Abbotsford. Even as a teenager he was adept at earning money, working several different jobs to earn enough to buy his first car.
Life for Michael became more complicated during puberty with the onset of a mental illness that impacted his life profoundly. Living in a small town during a time when mental illnesses were not as well understood, and treatment was not readily available, affected his ability to pursue the life he had imagined for himself.
Despite his illness, he graduated from Columneetza Senior Secondary School in 1977. He supported himself in his pursuit of post-secondary education with many jobs after moving to the lower mainland. He was not successful in his pursuit, but he established himself in a lengthy career as a custodian; the longest of which was with Riverside Secondary School in Port Coquitlam for 21 years before retiring in 2017.
He was proud of his “penthouse” condominium in New Westminster where he lived for 27 years. He took great pleasure in the community within the building as well as the neighbourhood. Taking long walks to visit friends at the Queen’s Park Arena, to the Canada Games pool to swim and to his favourite restaurants and coffee shops. He volunteered many hours at the Century House and the Massey Theatre. His favourite past-time in later years was to phone his family, friends, and acquaintances daily. Michael had an amazing mind for remembering names and phone numbers and had an affinity for connecting with people.
Retirement provided Michael with an opportunity to do more of the things he loved; however, these times were cut short by the pandemic and his progressive failing health due to his renal disease in addition to his struggles with his mental health. He had to say goodbye to the “penthouse” & then between hospitalizations, his independent living suite at the Poppy Residences. Michael was welcomed at George Derby Long Term Care Centre in the fall of 2023. He was happy with his new surroundings, thoroughly enjoying the food, the view from his window, the company of the staff and his care companions on dialysis days. Michael’s days in his new home were cut short by a critical illness that ultimately ended his life.
He will be sadly missed and will always hold a place in our hearts.
As a family we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Royal Columbian Hospital Renal Unit & Wellness Centre; the New Leaf Clubhouse; the New Westminster Mental Health Centre; the George Derby Care Centre and the Poppy Residences.
A celebration of life for Michael will be held at the New Leaf Clubhouse, 1115 Sixth Avenue, New Westminster, BC on Saturday, January 27, 2024 @ 1100h. All those who were part of Michael’s life are welcome to attend. A second celebration of life will be held in Kelowna, BC in the spring.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Michael’s name to the BC Mental Health Foundation or the Kidney Foundation Canada
Michael was born in Williams Lake, B.C. Growing up he spent many happy years together with his four siblings and the neighbourhood kids exploring the town and its surroundings. He was an avid hockey player; he attended UBC hockey school twice and coached minor hockey in Williams Lake and Abbotsford. Even as a teenager he was adept at earning money, working several different jobs to earn enough to buy his first car.
Life for Michael became more complicated during puberty with the onset of a mental illness that impacted his life profoundly. Living in a small town during a time when mental illnesses were not as well understood, and treatment was not readily available, affected his ability to pursue the life he had imagined for himself.
Despite his illness, he graduated from Columneetza Senior Secondary School in 1977. He supported himself in his pursuit of post-secondary education with many jobs after moving to the lower mainland. He was not successful in his pursuit, but he established himself in a lengthy career as a custodian; the longest of which was with Riverside Secondary School in Port Coquitlam for 21 years before retiring in 2017.
He was proud of his “penthouse” condominium in New Westminster where he lived for 27 years. He took great pleasure in the community within the building as well as the neighbourhood. Taking long walks to visit friends at the Queen’s Park Arena, to the Canada Games pool to swim and to his favourite restaurants and coffee shops. He volunteered many hours at the Century House and the Massey Theatre. His favourite past-time in later years was to phone his family, friends, and acquaintances daily. Michael had an amazing mind for remembering names and phone numbers and had an affinity for connecting with people.
Retirement provided Michael with an opportunity to do more of the things he loved; however, these times were cut short by the pandemic and his progressive failing health due to his renal disease in addition to his struggles with his mental health. He had to say goodbye to the “penthouse” & then between hospitalizations, his independent living suite at the Poppy Residences. Michael was welcomed at George Derby Long Term Care Centre in the fall of 2023. He was happy with his new surroundings, thoroughly enjoying the food, the view from his window, the company of the staff and his care companions on dialysis days. Michael’s days in his new home were cut short by a critical illness that ultimately ended his life.
He will be sadly missed and will always hold a place in our hearts.
As a family we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Royal Columbian Hospital Renal Unit & Wellness Centre; the New Leaf Clubhouse; the New Westminster Mental Health Centre; the George Derby Care Centre and the Poppy Residences.
A celebration of life for Michael will be held at the New Leaf Clubhouse, 1115 Sixth Avenue, New Westminster, BC on Saturday, January 27, 2024 @ 1100h. All those who were part of Michael’s life are welcome to attend. A second celebration of life will be held in Kelowna, BC in the spring.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Michael’s name to the BC Mental Health Foundation or the Kidney Foundation Canada