MICHAEL ARTHUR GILES

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MICHAEL ARTHUR GILES

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Michael Giles on January 9, 2022.
Michael was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Mary; and his nephew Jeff. He will be deeply missed by his wife Mary, brother Greg (sister-in-law Lorraine); children, Jason, Chris, Kevin, Susan; his grandchildren, Katherine, Nolan, Hailey, Aiden, Audrey, Owen; and all of his extended family and close friends.
Born in Toronto in 1943, Michael grew up in Winnipeg and went to the University of British Columbia where he met Mary, the love of his life and where he obtained his PhD. He travelled to the East Coast of Canada before settling to raise his family in Winnipeg.
Michael loved the outdoors. Fishing, rock collecting, exploring and travelling across North America in an RV were some of the things that he loved to do with his family. After he retired, he picked up an interest in shaping and polishing precious stones which he and Mary turned into lovely pieces of jewelry. This allowed them not only to create unique works of art but it also allowed them to travel and become friends with people near and far. From the Dust Devil Sunstone Mine in Oregon, digging for quartz crystals in Arkansas, to visiting Larimar mines in the Dominican Republic, if there was a unique stone to be found, Michael would be there with his cowboy hat on digging them up to add to his collection.
Michael loved his family and no one was more proud of their grandchildren. He would talk with pride in his voice about Owen's swimming competitions, Audrey's volleyball, Katherine's horseback riding, Nolan's hockey, Hailey's improv and painting and Aiden's love of building and learning about history. A true joy of his was to talk with each of his grandchildren one-on-one, usually on the back deck, about life and the world. He was so excited to let friends and family know about the wonderful people they were becoming.
He loved his wife Mary, his partner for 47 years and together they were the glue that brought the family together for weekly dinners, family events and trips.
The family would like to thank the first responders who attended and the staff of the Grace Hospital especially Dr. Doug Eyolfson and nurse George who were so kind, caring and professional during this most difficult time.
A celebration and remembrance for Michael will happen later in 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Salvation Army or the War Amps.

In loving memory always.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 15, 2022