18 Sept 2004

Dear Sharon:
I am so sorry to hear the news of Michael's death and I am thinking of you & your husband now. I only knew Michael at the early stage when you were with CHEA.
It is particularly poignant, in a way, since my daughter, Kelly, had the same dream as Michael starting at the same age and did become a pilot after university. She flew Caravans 1st for Air Georgian & is presently flying the Beech 1900 for Air Alliance (third tier level for Air Canada) into the U.S.
Howie, my husband, successfully retired (flying 747's) from Air Canada in 2000 without any fatal accidents. But flying does present unusual (& potentially fatal) incidents.
Again my deepest sympathy to you both.

Pat Malone
Toronto, Canada
patmalone@rogers.com

18 Sept 2004

Michael:
- a wonderful gift that Gerry and Sharon gave us; a blessing that God provided to enrich our lives for a while.
- a thoughtful, caring young man; respectful of others; a credit to his up bringing and an accurate reflection of parents’ exemplar way of life.
- a deep thinker with insights that went well beyond the expected, even as a lad: as his sometimes teacher I frequently became the taught.
- quiet and reserved, but not too serious; there was always a smile lurking below the surface if it wasn’t already lighting up his face. If the conversation veered anywhere near the topic of flying then that smile would break out like summer sunshine. Michael’s love of flying was his life defining quality.
- a reminder of how fragile life is and how we cannot take it for granted. Each day this past week, Michael was the impetus to tell friends and colleagues to hug their children an extra time that day.
- a gift and a blessing too fleeting to have been appreciated as fully as he deserved.

Carla Miner
Carp, Ontario
cjminer@magma.ca

18 Sept 2004

My deepest sympathy on your loss, Sharon. Althaough we have not been in touch for many years I feel deeply for you and your husband at this time and will be thinking of you at 5:30 this evening.

My very deepest sympathy.

May Maskow
Toronto
may.maskow@sympatico.ca

18 Sept 2004

Kenny Jones called me last night to tell me of Michael's unfortunate accident. I couldn't believe it! I have often thought of him after he moved from our area. Erin said to me this morning, when I told her, that she had just put the picture of her, Brodie, Michael and Copper in a frame this week.
I still remember when Erin cut his hair the day before his school picture was to be taken . Michael was a sweet child and a treasure to mind. God Bless you

Jerome & Shirley O'Connor & family
Dwyer Hill
jsautoquest@bellnet.ca

18 Sept 2004

In the summer of 2002, I went to National Flyers Academy (NFA) for my private pilot's licence. A few of the instructors there were 2nd year Sault College students, and Mike (or Mr. Channer as we called him) was one. Although Mike was not my instructor, a good friend of mine was. She always said that he was a very good instructor, and that she learned a lot from him.

I am so sorry for the loss of your son, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. He was truely an awesome man.

"Someday we will know where the pilots go
When their work on earth is through.
Where the air is clean, and the engines gleam,
And the skies are always blue.

For this is the place where true flyers come,
when the battles are over and the wars are won,
Away from the rules and books and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy and these good boys,
Can relax with a cold one, and a well deserved rest,

For this is Heaven my son, You've passed your last check."

~Michael J. Larkin

Stacey
Sault Ste. Marie

A group picture, Xmas late 80's in the Gatineau park

18 Sept 2004

Nick and Fran