The Way Family
A profound loss. My sincere condolences to all who knew and loved Mike.
WAY, Michael
1958 - 2023
Michael "Mike" Way passed away unexpectedly on June 25, 2023 at the age of 65. Mike is survived by his mother Mary Way (nee Gloade), his brother Frank Way, his nephew Alexander Way (and Catherine), his aunt Gwen Way, his sister-in-law Nadine Bursey and his stepfather Peter Cameron. He is predeceased by his father Francis "Frank" Way.
Mike was born in Baie Comeau, Quebec on May 20, 1958. He graduated from Carleton University in 1985 with a degree in Mass Communications and had a meaningful career, for over 35 years, in Public Opinion Research.
Mike was an avid reader, concertgoer and sports enthusiast. He was passionate about writing, particularly poetry, and was an amateur drummer. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all that knew him.
A private funeral service will be held for Michael. Friends will be able to watch the ceremony live or in replay via the following link: https://commemora.tv/en/diffusions/76655 ; In case of technical problems during the live broadcast, a replay will be possible later.
Online condolences may be made at www.cfo.coop
Write your sympathies or tribute
16 messages received
family way
hi there we are the landlords of mike and he was such a nice person and all. we all are saddened by his departure so young. i guess god needed angels as he was such a nice man and all. bless you all. robert and diane daze and all. take good care you all
The Way Family
I knew Mike from fantasy baseball primarily, and I always found a home in him. He was so open and inviting, so ready to smile. He was easy to be around, and he had a big, beautiful heart. I was always happy to see him, always. I will miss him, and am so glad I got to know him and be his friend.
Frank, Mary and the Way family.
I was deeply saddened to hear about Mike’s passing.
Mike was one of my dearest and closest friends for over 30 years. I shared his incredible passion for music, writing, sports, poetry and current events. I have so many wonderful memories of him, which I greatly cherish. ….. I still expect to look up and see him walking toward me, with a bounce in his walk and his long hair blowing in the wind. ..... Mike marched to his own drum, with a gentle heart and an old soul. He truly made the world a better and more interesting place. He’ll be deeply missed.
Everybody who truly knew Mike - loved him.
My deepest condolences to Frank, his Mom Mary, and his many close friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Frank and Mary Way
I was gobsmacked to hear of Mike passing. Had some interesting conversations on his poetry. Loved the one about his Mum Mary. I am very sorry for your loss. A really down to earth guy that will be missed.
Mike Way Ekim Yaw
I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Mike for many years and on many projects. I hired Mike for the particularly challenging projects i was working on and he never let me down. As I traveled across the country doing focus groups and consultations, Mike kept the home fires burning by recruiting the people we needed. Now given this was a bit in the dinosaur Era, Mike would fax me last minute changes or instructions. Faxes were always signed creatively, either by Ekim Yaw, a seat in the Montreal Forum or whatever was the political or social issue of the day, with a side message just for me. I'm 100 per cent sure that a number of people enjoyed Mike's cover sheet because when ever I checked into a hotel I would be informed there was a fax for me, from someone smiling widely with an envelope in hand.
Mike was my friend, my colleague and my lobster eating partner. Every year we were sure to get together for the Russell Lions Club Lobsterfest. Mike always ate his money's worth!
We shared stories of our triumphs and our sorrows-- Mike's first date disasters and my life on the road.
Mike, I miss your annual poetry, your amazing way with people, your listening ear.
Sleep well my friend. Till we meet again.
Gail Haarsma
A tree is planted
in memory of the deceased
Mike Way Family
I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Mike for many years and on many projects. I hired Mike for the particularly challenging projects i was working on and he never let me down. As I traveled across the country doing focus groups and consultations, Mike kept the home fires burning by recruiting the people we needed. Now given this was a bit in the dinosaur Era, Mike would fax me last minute changes or instructions. Faxes were always signed creatively, either by Ekim Yaw, a seat in the Montreal Forum or whatever was the political or social issue of the day, with a side message just for me. I'm 100 per cent sure that a number of people enjoyed Mike's cover sheet because when ever I checked into a hotel I would be informed there was a fax for me, from someone smiling widely with an envelope in hand.
Mike was my friend, my colleague and my lobster eating partner. Every year we were sure to get together for the Russell Lions Club Lobsterfest. Mike always ate his money's worth!
We shared stories of our triumphs and our sorrows-- Mike's first date disasters and my life on the road.
Mike, I will miss your annual poetry, your amazing way with people, your listening ear.
Sleep well my friend. Till we meet again.
Gail Haarsma
A tree is planted
in memory of the deceased
The Way Family
Mike played tennis in the late 80's and 90's at the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling club. I was fortunate to play doubles with him and singles against him. He was a warrior. All the people from that era remember him extremely fondly. He did so may things passionately, had opinions, a sense of humour and a compelling laugh. He may have lived alone, but touched the lives of so many. We all feel the loss. I deeply regret not reconnecting with him in recent years. So few these days are that creative and can think independently.
Michael Way
To Mary Way, so sorry for the loss of your son. I remember Michael when I attended BCHS until 1968 when I moved to NB to finish my high school education. I am the daughter of the late Doug and Opal Sears. We lived at Manic 1 townsite. My thoughts are with you.
A tree is planted
in memory of the deceased
Frank and Family
My deepest sympathies to the Way family.
I'll always remember Mike as a remarkable and kind person who lived his life as it should be lived...with energy, enthusiasm, and an inspiring embrace of our shared humanity. He really was one of a kind. Always considerate of others. Always a great conversationalist...and a great listener too. He loved people and people loved him. His was a life well lived. I will never forget him.
To the Way family
Mike was our neighbor and we will miss him poking his head out his patio doors for a chat, enquiring about our golf game, chatting about this and that. I particularly liked his genuine laugh and to hear him talk about his music, meeting up in a studio with his friend in Montreal then going to the States to meet up with his old high school friends. We will miss you Mike. Rest in peace. To the family, please accept our deepest condolences. Valencia and Randy
To the Way Family.
Joeanne and I met Mike, living across from him on O'Connor Street in 1982, only to meet him again in company of his close friends, the Baie Comeau crew and associates. Mike was an avid and skilled sportsman, artist, raconteur and one of the very finest gentleman. Our lives took very different paths and our meetings along the were always precious. You are missed dear Mike.
The Way Family
is often said “Life’s Not Fair,”
Mike and I became friends over 20 year’s ago. And he became to be one of my true best friends and I will truly miss him. In every way possible way we were polar opposite’s. I can vividly remember sitting down with Mike over our many many breakfast’s over the years and we would discuss his love of his favorite rock band Rush, his favorite hockey team the Senators and our his favorite sport of tennis and I did not know that people still played tennis. And, I would just stare there and listen and I would say to myself boy this guy knows nothing about the music scene and or the sports scene. The one thing we did agree on was our love of our family and friends. To Mary, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Mike truly loved you. To Frank and the Way family please accept my deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
JP
Mike Way
My deepest condolences to Mary, Frank and extended family. Mike was one of my best friends growing up in Baie-Comeau and have fond memories of those times. I spent a lot of time in the Way household. Miss you all dearly. May Mike Rest In Power
The Way Family
I know he is up there in heaven trying to be as good as Neal Peart.. I live in the same building as him. He knew music really well, that's all we talked about, my deepest condolences, to soon to go, he will be missed.
Frank Way
First of all, I’m very sorry that you, your mother and Mike’s other family and close friends, have lost Mike.
Mike’s path and mine have not crossed in over 45 years, but I have thought about him, and smiled, whenever I catch sight of a certain textbook on my bookshelf - it’s the same edition Mike used as part of his substitute drum set in our first year at Carleton.
I never got to know the poet in Mike, but I do remember his quiet, calm and gentle quality. I don’t think I ever heard him say an unkind word to anybody.
I am grateful that the memorial service was online. I was glad to hear that you, Mike and your mother were close, and have many memories to remember him by, and share with one another.
Thank you for sharing with those of us that couldn’t come to the service.