MICHAEL DUNCAN SAUNDERS

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MICHAEL DUNCAN SAUNDERS With the deepest sorrow, we announce the passing of Michael Duncan Saunders at the Battleford Union Hospital in North Battleford, Saskatchewan on July 14, 2008. Mike is survived by his wife, Beth, and son, Rayden, and daughter, Avery. Also by his mother, Margaret Hirschfield, and siblings, Kurt and his wife Cindy and son Denison, Laura and her daughters Larissa and Amy, Margie Woodman and her husband David and children Sydney and David, his step-brothers, Paul Hirschfield and his wife Claudette and son Jack, Michael Hirschfield, Jeffrey Hirschfield and his wife Sarah and children Sadie, Lena and Keevyn and Richard Hirschfield, Beth's parents, Charles and Elizabeth Wilson and her brother, David and his wife Angie and children, Paton and Emilie. Mike was predeceased in 1967 by his father, Raymond Saunders, and this past April by his step-father, Aubrey (Oz) Hirschfield. Mike was born in Winnipeg on March 9, 1960. He was a little early and spent a short while in the hospital before he could be brought home. However, Mike blossomed and soon showed signs of the active man he would become. He began school at Robert H. Smith and, after moving to Brandon with his family in 1972, continued his education at Vincent Massey High School. After his schooling, Mike enjoyed working a variety of jobs. He loved a challenge and he chose jobs in that vain. Mike also loved to travel and visited India, Australia and New Zealand. He excelled at photography and has left an extensive gallery of photos from his trips. Mike's diverse experiences were part of what brought him to the profession he loved, that of a firefighter. In Brandon in 1989, Mike graduated from the Manitoba Fire College and began his career with the Shilo Fire Department. In 1995, he took a position with The Pas Fire Department as Deputy Fire Chief and in 1997, Mike and his family moved to North Battleford where he became Deputy Fire Chief and, in 2001, Fire Chief of the North Battleford Fire and Emergency Services. Mike was elected President of the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs in 2006 and in 2007 Mike became 2nd Vice President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. Mike was an extremely dedicated firefighter and was proud of his work and accomplishments, serving his community and improving the services and training available to his colleagues. Mike was awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in 2006 and in March of this year, the Fire Chief Award of Merit. Mike would tell you his greatest accomplishment was his family. Mike met his RHD (Red Haired Dream), Beth, in Brandon in 1986 and was smitten. Mike and Beth were married July 21, 1989 and enjoyed 19 wondrous years together. Their beautiful children, Rayden and Avery, were truly the light of Mike's life and if you caught Mike's eye while he was looking at Beth, Rayden or Avery, you were overcome by the love you saw there. That love will carry Beth and Rayden and Avery throughout their lives. When Mike was in the room, everything came together, not just because we now had a plan (and if Mike was in the room, there was a plan!) but simply because Mike was in the room. He lit it up. We are a lucky family in that we have a cottage to gather at and each summer, Mike and Beth would pack up Rayden, Avery and pretty much everything else you could think of for a few weeks at the cottage. Arriving at Victoria Beach, Mike would burst into the cottage, call out Momsie and Pops and then give the best bear hugs around. Summer had begun. Mike enjoyed each day. He was the kind of guy you wanted to be around. Mike had lifelong friends, many who were able to visit with him in these past few months and he was grateful for the time and experiences they shared. Mike has left us too early and we will carry him in our hearts forever. Mike was our gift. Mike's family expresses their sincere gratitude to the caring staff at Battleford Union Hospital for their kindness and compassion. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Don Ross Centre, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. If friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Saskatchewan Burn Fund, Manitoba Burn Fund or the Battleford Union Hospital Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 19, 2008