August 6, 1936 - December 22, 2024
Michael was born on August 6, 1936, in Stonewall, Manitoba to Tina and Michael Panchuk. He grew up on a small farm with his parents, sisters Mary and Lillian, and brothers Bill and Nick. He attended Victoria school where he made many friends, playing sports, going fishing and skinny dipping! He soon discovered girls and met one named Shirley who he instantly fell in love with. They married in 1954 and moved to their home near Lockport, Manitoba. Soon afterwards they started their own family, with Larry, Patty and Lloyd who was born during a short stay in Ontario.
Mike worked at many jobs from delivering beer to driving a taxi to moving houses with his brother in law Bill. Soon more help was needed on the farm, so Mike, Shirley and kids moved back to Stonewall to help his dad and brothers. With not much money coming in Mike got a job at the local limestone quarry where he drove a loader. Another son, Terry was born in 1961. There was no shortage of work on the farm! In the summer of 1967, Mike, Shirley, and kids all packed up and moved to a small mobile home in Langley, B.C., which was soon upgraded to a bigger new one. Eventually building a new house on half an acre where he worked with Shirley farming strawberries. He now was working in Vancouver as a compressor mechanic. Sadly, he was at work one day when he got a call that his son Terry lost his life while working in the same mobile park where his family used to live. After living for a few years in Cranbrook, in 1998, Mike and Shirley decided to move back home to Winnipeg, where they bought a house close to many friends and relatives they hadn't seen in a while. After a few winters there, they remembered why they moved to BC, and were back! They bought a home in Abbotsford where he spent the rest of his life doing projects and helping Shirley maintain their beautiful yard. Mike was always a loving, caring, hardworking man who always made time for family and close friends.
Mike was predeceased by his parents Tim and Michael Sr., his brother Bill, sister Mary and son Terry. Sister-in-laws Dolly, Lorna, Bernice, Audrey and Carol. Brother in laws Jack, Albert, Alex, Bill (Ward) and George (Smith) Martin (Dodd), Nieces Christine and Irene. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley, son Larry (Karen), daughter Pat (Bob) and son Lloyd. Grandchildren Jason (Cj), Caroline (Dave), Katy (Dustin), Joel (Katy) and Kristen (Scott). Great grandchildren Clayton, Liam, Cole, Carter, Logan, Lexi, Ryen and Elise. He is also survived by his brother Nick (Sharon), sister Lil and many nieces, nephews and friends.