Obituary of Michael Brown, May, 2024
With sad hearts the family of Mike Brown announces his sudden death at home in his 87th year. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 64 years, Gail (Barton).
Much loved father of Doug (Susan Lewis), Linda (Lee Smith) and Ken. Cherished grandfather of Melissa Brown (Kevin Badgely), Taylor Brown (Reena Kathuria), Jessica Smith (Andy Dang), Maddie Smith (Riley Campbell), Cooper Brown, Morgan Brown, Sarah Lewis (Francis Fulop), and Nathan Lewis (Faith Collier). Great Grandpa of Emry Badgely. He will be deeply missed by his sister-in-law Norma Lucy (Redhead), and by his dear friend Art Murray.
Mike was born and raised in Montreal before moving to Peterborough in 1978. He was an employee of Bell Canada for 36 years.
Mike was an accomplished Sprint Kayaker and was very proud to represent Canada in both the 1960 and 1964 Olympics in Tokyo and Rome, competing in the 1000 metre single and doubles events.
In the 1960's Mike built a family cottage on the then unroaded Lac Castor in the Quebec Laurentiens, where the family spent entire summers. Memories of Lac Castor are legendary and will be forever cherished.
He spent countless hours after his retirement as a volunteer with the Canadian Canoe Museum. He enjoyed working in the background on construction projects with his old and new friends. Mike was honoured and humbled that the Canoe Museum featured a chronicling of his competitive kayaking history. Mike also volunteered for 17 seasons with the Festival of Trees.
Mike and Gail were passionate about travel Together with family and friends they shared adventures in many parts of the world. For years Mike enjoyed twice weekly bike rides with his buddies, some long, some short, always with the same cover story - to go for coffee These rides ended with the pandemic when Mike was over the age of 80.
Anyone who knew Mike knew that he was first and foremost a family man. Mike and Gail naturally cultivated togetherness. All manner of life's gatherings - family dinners, volunteer work, various expeditions - held the unstated vital value of simply being together.
Mike was an ever-present Grandpa, always 'there' for each game, event and recital, oh and there were many. He loved his grandchildren with the subtle touch of presence and attentiveness, and knew his grandchildren deeply. His grandchildren in turn were dedicated to him and he will be so sadly missed in their lives.
Mike will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a man of integrity and a beacon of love for his family. The loss of Mike is immeasurable but so is the love he left behind.
Friends will be received at the HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE, 2510 Bensfort Rd, Peterborough on Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 1:00-1:30 PM, Celebration of Life at 1:30 PM. Reception to follow.
In memory of Mike and in lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com
Mike Brown grew up at the Club with his older brother Dave. He paddled single-blade canoe in his first years as there were no kayak races in the Juvenile age category.
He came 2nd in Juvenile C-1 at the Dominions in 1954 and was in the war canoe that finished 3rd.
In 1955, Mike and brother Dave won Junior K-2 at the Dominion Championships in Ottawa. Between 1960 and 1966, Mike won 5 K-2 medals including gold in 1960.
Mike won gold as member of the Cartierville Senior K-4 that won 5 times in Ottawa between 1960 and 1966. Mike won Senior K-1 in 1962 beating Gabor Joo at the Canadian Championships and then went on to win the North American singles championships in Lake Sebago, N.Y. that same year. Mike came 2nd in 1967 in K-1 at the North Americans in 1967 at Expo.
However, Mike's greatest successes came in 1960 and 1964 where he qualified to race in the Olympics for Canada. He raced in singles in Rome and teamed with Gabor Joo in K-2 at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
They narrowly missed making the finals in K-2 (by .6 seconds).
Photo: Mike Brown as a Juvenile paddler in C1. He finished a strong 2nd place at Dominions
Photo: Mike Brown in K1 with Al McCleery and Lou Lukanovich in K2 in 1960
The threesome represented Canada at the 1960 Olympics in Rome