On June 23, 2012 at 7:10 pm, the world changed forever. Beloved friend, brother, uncle, son and husband to Lori, 41 year old Michael Erdman Jaik, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife at home after a short and courageous battle with lymphoma.
Mike was born in Lumby and grew up in the Lumby and Vernon area. He attended most of his schooling in Lumby and graduated from W.L. Seaton in 1988.
Mike worked at A&G Supplies, Riverside Forest Products, timber cruising and Bigfoot RV in the Vernon/Lumby area before moving to Mission, BC in 2003 where he worked for Adventerer Rv and, for the past 7 years, Canadian Utilities Construction/One Call Locators. Mike was a hardworking and concientous employee and was well liked by his co workers. Mike's famous work ethic was what stood him apart from others and he could always be counted on to get the job done well. Mike enjoyed travelling, camping hiking, sports of any kind and was athletic beyond belief. Mike was constantly seeking the ultimate tropical snorkelling spots and was just recently becoming SCUBA certified and had planned his first dives in Cuba. Mike loved spending time at the family cabin on Sugar Lake and, while there, could be found on the golf course bright and early most mornings. Mike's golf swing was amazing and he always said that golf was a life lesson and "a game of centimeters". Mike was an avid outdoorsman who was in his element in the mountains. When hiking with Mike, he always blazed the trail and was the first to the top all the while encouraging others to come along to enjoy the view. Mike played slowpitch and fastpitch and was a talented player. He made amazing over his head catches in the outfield, crept fearlessly close to the batter when playing third and, ran the bases with speed that was astonishing. You would have wanted him on your team. To say Mike was a well liked man would not do justice to how others felt about him. Mike was a gentle, caring and friendly soul who was loved and respected by his family and friends. His energy and genuineness could be instantly felt by others and his sense of humor was quick and clever. Mike laughed daily. Mike loved professional sports specifically, his beloved Packers and Canucks. Mike recently tried purchasing shares of the Pack after they were offered publicaly and was so dissapointed they were only available to US residents, considered arranging a US address so he could have a piece of Lambeau history. Mike loved his Canucks and never missed a game. If not televised, he would hunker down with the radio to listen. Mike knew history, stats, players, coaches and strategy and was integral in developing his wife's Canuck fanatacism. Mike will be deeply missed and has left a space that can never be filled. He was so special and so amazing that his life will forever be remembered and felt. Lori told him he was like a Super Nova, so bright and so hot he was unable to stay around forever. He's now back with the stars. Mike's celebration of life will be held Saturday July 7th at the Lumby Curling Club, 2230 Shields Ave Lumby, BC, at 3 pm. It is open to everyone. Please drop by and celebrate Mike's life the way he would have liked; happily and with laughter.