SMIRLE, Michael James
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Michael James Smirle, beloved husband to Mary-Anne, amazing father to James and Jeff and adoring father-in-law to Allison and Lauren. Raised on the family farm in Bradner, British Columbia, Mike was the only child of Jim and Joan Smirle. Nothing gave his parents more pleasure than watching Mike excel at piano, academics and sports. Graduating top all-round student in 1972 from Abbotsford Senior Secondary, Mike began his academic career in the faculty of music at UBC. With the passing of his father in January of 1974, Mike took the following year to travel extensively with his mom. During this year, he got his lumber grading ticket and returned to UBC in the fall but this time in the Faculty of Science. Mike graduated with his BSc in 1978, and went on to pursue a Masters in Pest Management followed by a PhD from Simon Fraser University. On February 1, 1990 Mike’s career brought the family to their home in Summerland. Mike worked at the Summerland Research Centre where he led a research program in insect toxicology. He was a respected scientist, valued colleague and much appreciated by the agricultural community he served. It was at UBC, on October 5, 1974, that he met his soul mate, Mary-Anne and they began their journey in life together; what would be nearly 40 years of incredible love and a deep and everlasting friendship. They completed each other in every way. Mike’s greatest joy was spending time with his boys and their friends. Mike loved every moment that he spent on the sidelines of local soccer pitches and track and field venues, attending his sons’ high school plays or, most especially, cheering on James and Jeff at the hockey rink, watching them thrive and grow into the incredible young men they are today. That joy became even more complete when Mike welcomed his two daughters-in-law, Allison and Lauren, to the Smirle family. Mike’s lifelong love of music allowed him to share his talents as a regular organist at Holy Child Parish and singing with the Musaic Vocal Ensemble during his years in Summerland. For Mike it was always ‘family first’ and he would spend countless hours carefully planning family travel adventures. Whether it was to the family cabin in New Denver or down-under to Australia, Mike reveled in watching his family enjoy every moment and build a lifetime’s worth of memories. He was an incredible husband and father whose generous spirit and kind heart will be dearly missed by everyone fortunate enough to know Mike. A prayer vigil and visitation was held at the Church of the Holy Child, 14010 Rosedale Avenue, Summerland, BC on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 7 p.m. Rite of Christian Burial followed on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at the Church of Holy Child at 11 a.m. Memorial tributes may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be directed to the family through providencefuneralhomes.com (250) 494-7752