30 Sept 2004

My condolences to the Channer family. The one solace I have, is knowing that mike wouldn’t want to go out any other way. I had the fortune of knowing Mike at Seneca college. We had best times together in residence, unfortunately it only lasted a year. Tanks for making that 1 year the best time of my life Mike. I'll miss you Mad Cow.

James LeBlan
Windsor, Ontario
ploq@email.com

30 Sept 2004

Every time Mike came to see us in Joburg, we would have a big night out to say goodbye – always joking that this was the last time we’d day goodbye and that we wouldn’t be seeing him again for another long time. But sure enough, a couple of weeks later he’d call to say he was coming down to see us – make some more unforgettable memories, and have another goodbye party. His outlook on life was that he never knew where he might be tomorrow, so to make the most of today. He never knew if he’d see his friends again, so every minute he spent with us he lived to the full. He lived out of a backpack, with no address – the world was literally his oyster – he didn’t care about money and whether or not he would ever get paid. All he wanted to do was be up in the air flying… it was his dream come true!



Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today



Kuki Gallman wrote this when her son died, but i never thought I'd read it and cry so much...



‘Only yesterday morning

we were laughing together;

today I am here with your friends

to bury you, Mike



You were but twenty-four,

Yet you were a man already

And you could play with life

With a grown man’s confidence.



You died knowing you were dying

But you were not afraid.



You were brave, and you were handsome,

You were intelligent, and you were generous,

You gave love, and you gave friendship,

And you had love, and friends.



You shared with all your smile,



Your charm, your help, your enthusiasm.



Your future was a promise

Of challenge and adventure.



You were but twenty-four

But wise beyond your age,

And now you know already

The answer to all questions.



I am asking: where are you really

As this is but your body?

Are you now the hot sun of Africa?

Are you the clouds and the rain?

Are you this wind, Mike,

Or are you the sky overhead?



I will look for you always

And I will see you in every flower,

In every bird, in every red sunset,

In every crawling snake:

As everything of beauty

Will forever be you.



Anything young and proud,

Anything good and strong.



You were an extraordinary person,

Your short life was extraordinary

And extraordinary was

Your cruel, sudden death.



For us – who are left- remains

Just to wonder

The reason for such a waste:



Where has all this love gone?



I hope your journey has been good

As you have already arrived.’

Nici Wilkinson
Johannesburg
nici@noahorphans.org.za

30 Sept 2004

The tragic loss of this obviously fantastic young bloke is mourned the world over by Africans who have experienced these events so often. Rest in peace 'broer' and if you meet my mate Jeremy, send him my love.

Wayne Shannon
Germany
wayneshannon@hotmail.com

29 Sept 2004

I had the pleasure of knowing Mike while we attended Seneca College together in Toronto. Mike was a great friend and he helped make the transition to a new school a really easy one. With the many friendships Mike and I made that year, it was like we had a second family. We went to school together, we hung out in residence together, we went out on the town together, we had fun together. Mike was always willing to help me with my studies and he genuinely cared about his friends. Our time at Seneca went by too fast but the memories will stay with me forever. Mike helped make that year one of the best experiences of my life. I always pull out my photo album and look back on the great times we had. I wish we could do it all again.
Thanks Mike for being a wonderful friend and one day we'll see each other again. I miss you buddy.

Vince Mastronardi
Windsor, ON
mastronardiv@hotmail.com

29 Sept 2004

I met Michael when he was very young, a precious little boy of about 8. I had a little wooden sling for him from Ghana and he was thrilled about it. He was going to be busy, scaring away the birds from his parents' Fresh Approach Farm. Those of us who were privileged to see the farm know what a wonderful thing the farm became. The next time I saw Michael, he was in Middle school, and he talked much about his parents' new Herb farm. Again, friends who experienced the farm know of the joy it brought to people.
I met Sharon in Ghana when she was a student and later I met Gerry, too. I have never met such good people and ince Michael came into their lives, everything they have done has been full of even more goodness. Together with Michael, they have brought blessings to lots of people and so what I would like to say to Sharon and Gerry is this: The pain of our tragic loss is unimaginable but take comfort in the fact that Michael's life has been a stream of blessings and solace to so many people that you can rest assured he is in a beautiful place wherever he is and that someday, we will all see him again.

Charlotte Anokwa
Indianapolis
canokwa@iupui.edu

Only a 6 hour wait for the "broken ferry"

29 Sept 2004

To Michael Channer,

Mate you were the best buddy anyone could hope for. We shared so much together and i have so many wonderful memories of our adventures. As a flatmate you provided endless amounts of fun and laughs, great ideas to waste time more efficiently, loads of drinking games, great music (although some of the country stuff left a bit to be desired) and of course magnificently huge amounts of popcorn!!!!! If there was one thing you were better at than flying, it was making the most superb bowl of popcorn.

Besides that Mike, i want to thank you for showing me how to live life and how to laugh no matter the situation. As everyone has remarked you were a true gentleman. One of those old fashioned blokes with a heart made of hope and desire. A man that any girl would be honoured to take home. Sometimes a man of few words, but wisely spoken words. A person that could hold everyones attention, only to mutter that this was the most important game of hockey in the world, ever, tonight, and we all have to stay up until 3am to listen to it on the internet!! And we did, only to hear them lose. No matter, those were the times i am truly grateful to have shared with you. The team lost, again, but everyone around you won. You are sorely missed by all but i know there is only one thing that you want for all that knew you. That is to keep on moving, keep on dreaming and to keep on being the best person that you can be every day. Thanks for listening to my woes as i did yours and i hope i provided you with sound advice in return.

"Cheers big ears" to a wonderful friend. I pray that you are happy where you are and that you know how much we all loved you, because there is "no doubt" i will never have a friend like you again. Keep on flying Mike until we meet again, i miss you.

Mathew Williams
Johannesburg
matwilliams19@yahoo.com.au

His parents inform me this is normal for Mike

One of his favourite places - Vic Falls