MICHAEL A. SANDERS

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MICHAEL A. SANDERS RCMP Staff Sargeant (Retd) VE 4 MS Michael Allen Sanders, aged 65, lost his lengthy battle with heart disease on Friday, December 20, 2002, at his home in Morden, MB. Mike was born in Emerson, MB, on March 6, 1937, to Millie (nee Krul) and Robert Sanders. He is survived by Norma, his loving wife of almost 40 years; daughter Heather Sanders of New Westminster, BC; son Michael Robert Sanders of Winnipeg; daughter Joanne Sanders, her husband Jason Howden and precious granddaughter Madisyn Pauls of Brandon. He is also survived by his mother Millie Bayliss of Morden; many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, as well as Normas family. Mike was predeceased by his father Robert Sanders; stepfather Lawrence Bayliss; and his grandparents Dymtro and Nettie Krul. Mike graduated from Emerson High School in 1956 and in January of 1957 joined the RCMP, taking his training in Regina and Ottawa. He was posted in Dauphin, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver. He retired to acreage outside Morden in 1981, having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Many of the RCMP members he met during his career became lifelong friends. A lover of the outdoors, Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycling, model airplanes, nature and hobby farming. His most cherished memories were of deer hunting in the Piney area, moose hunting in Northern British Columbia and Ontario with his RCMP buddies, or landing a giant salmon in the Pacific Ocean. As a young lad he trapped muskrat at Lake Louise near Emerson to earn spending money. Even as a youngster he was always technically inclined, taking things apart to see how they worked and fixing anything around the house. His family always called upon him to fix broken toys, appliances, radios, stereos, TVs and vehicles! A talented welder, Mike built monkey bars and swings for his children, and one of his last projects was to build a 200 foot pulley ride for his granddaughter. In 1977, he built his first computer from a kit, and enjoyed computers throughout his life. Since 1963 he has been a HAM radio operator, holding licenses in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba, his last call sign being VE 4 MS. After suffering a heart attack in 1980, with his usual dogged determination, Mike began a rigorous running routine, eventually completing three marathons, and continued to be as active as his health allowed. Mikes many accomplishments and interests are too numerous to list; he was a unique and talented individual with an interest in all things in life. He was proud of his children and all they had accomplished, and had a special place in his heart for his granddaughter Madisyn. He met the love of his life Norma in Winnipeg in 1962 and they were together for 40 years. Mike will be proudly remembered and greatly missed by family and friends. A graveside interment of ashes and a celebration of life will take place in Emerson in the new year, to be announced at a later date. Donations in memory of Mike Sanders can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald St., 200 Suite, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. If Mike could speak to his family and friends we know he would say: "Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you sunshine of tomorrow My lifes been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Dont lengthen it now with undue grief." Doyles Funeral Chapel of Morden in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 28, 2002