18 Sept 2004

Dear Channers,

We were shocked this morning to learn of Mike's tragic accident. When we met you briefly last autumn, we were moved by your obvious love and joy in your son's existence. It seemed clear that you cherished him as a unique and special friend as well as a beloved son.

There are no words to express the extent of this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both, and with all those who knew and loved this wonderful young man.

Cynthia Nolan and John Fairweather
Carp, Ontario
cynthesis@sprint.ca

18 Sept 2004

Although most of us didn't have the privilege of knowing Michael, we are convinced by the write ups that he shared the dedication to others that you demonstrated so tirelessly in your international development work.

.We hope you and Gerry derive some comfort from the messages you receive from the people you have touched around the world..

Sharon's Saskatoon Colleagues

Liz Delahey
Saskatoon
delahey@shaw.ca

MikeTophMathew Xmas Meech Lake1986

17 Sept 2004

17 Sept 2004

I am so sorry that such a promising young life was cut short- this is just so awful. My one memory that stands out goes back to the time when he was small boy on your Sri Lanka farm when I visited you.It was either in 1985 or1986.

After you had introduced him to me, he quietly followed us around as you were explaining the project, showing the place. He seemed so interested, a serious and pleasant young boy. You talked a lot about medicinal herbs and we later went to see one such garden,which I remember quite well.

He did not come with us for that visit and yet,there must have been something about him that struck me even then, as I have always remembered the young boy quietly listening to us.

I am so sorry for your loss. I send you my very hearfelt condolences.

Danuta Szachanski
danuta54@sympatico.ca

17 Sept 2004

Mike was one of the greatest guys I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with. I will cherish the memories of the times we had at Sault College and will never forget how he single-handedly helped me pass semester 5 calculus, or hanging out at the apartment with him, Nathan, Adam, Jay, and of course, Gem. I have never known a harder worker or a more profesional, gifted pilot. He could find the upside to any situation and could allways make people laugh.

Mike will be sorely missed by all the people whose lives he touched. My thoughts and prayers go out to his parents and family members in this trajic time. I know that heaven is a better place now that Mike is there.

Niko Politis
Campbell River, BC
niko_politis@hotmail.com

17 Sept 2004

Mike was my warrant officer and was the first pilot that ever took me up in a Cessna in air cadets. Ever since he took me up on my first fly day with the air cadets I have been in love with flying. I can still remember my last flight with Mike. It was a couple of weekends before the Annual Parade and we flew over the herb garden and circled around for a while and then took off somewhere else. It meant so much to fly with Mike and see the skills it takes to be a pilot. The one thing that I have learned from him was to follow your dream and to believe in yourself.

There was this other time when we attempted to play curling against all the other squadrons in the area. We didn’t do the greatest but we had fun even though we got short a player half way into the competion. It was my fault that he got injured seeing how it was my broom handles that knocked out our players 2 front teeth. I was freaking out and wanted to quiet playing after everything that happened but he maybe a deal with me. The deal was that I stayed and he had to play with us. After he started to play with us we started to get into the game and scored a couple of points but it wasn’t a enough to get is in the higher standings. All the other squadrons where laughing at us seeing how we kind of sucked at playing curling but considering we all had never had done curling before hand.

Thank you Mike for teaching me to follow my dreams and to believe myself.

Mr. & Mrs. Channer you son has been an inspiration to others and myself. My condolences to your family and friends everywhere.

Tracy T
Kanata, Ontairo
Tracy_2_tone@rogers.com