Michael Moran

Michael Moran died peacefully at home on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the age of 71. He was a caring and thoughtful man who always took care of the people around him, the kind of person you could reach out to for anything. Above all, he loved his family.

Michael was the first person you called when you needed a hand, and he would never make you feel like a burden for asking. He would help anyone, from a close friend to a member of his family to a stranger with a flat tire on the side of the road. He did it out of the kindness of his heart and never asked for a thing in return. He didn't have a mean bone in his body and he never judged a soul. Calm, generous, and smart as they come, he could fix or build just about anything you put in front of him. What people remember most is the way he made them feel, which was safe, looked after, and certain that Michael had it handled.

Michael was born in Truro, NS to Gerald Vincent Moran and Margaret Emily (Topple) Moran on February 22, 1955, and life carried him a long way from there. Over the years he made his home in Toronto, Mexico, Oakville, and finally Crystal Beach, where he settled in by the water.

Work was where his restlessness first showed. He came to Toronto and started at Bell, then went on to build his own company, Lexsys Networks, which grew to employ more than 100 people. After selling it, he served as a General Manager for a Direct Energy franchise before finally retiring. It didn't take long before he started a small engine repair business out of his man cave, fixing whatever came through the door, mostly lawn mowers and snowmobiles, for no better reason than he loved having something to tinker with.

Michael and Jill were partners in every sense, and together they built a life full of the things he loved. They rode his Harley annually at the Port Dover Friday the 13th motorcycle rally, went to St. Maarten every single year, and closed out plenty of nights at the Seneca and Atlantis casinos, where he was perfectly content with a slot machine and a rum and coke. He loved animals with his whole heart, German Shepherds most of all, and he loved being out on the water in his boat, the Lady J. Jill always insisted it was named after her. However, It was actually named after Jara, his German Shepherd, a fact Michael was far too smart to ever admit around Jill.

The rest of what he loved was simple and easy to picture: the sun on his face, time with his kids, trips to the Bahamas, his place in Orillia, music going at all hours, and a cold Stella poured into a chilled Stella glass. He stayed close with his friends around the neighbourhood and was always up for a beer with the people he cared about.

Michael is survived by the love of his life, Jillian Trotter; his children, Christopher (Amy), and Andi (Jonker); his step-children, Jaimie (Dezmon), and Taylor (Lindsay); his grandchildren, Lucia, Arthur, and Eleanor; and his siblings: Christopher (Dolores) Moran, Southside Boularderie, Cape Breton, NS, Patrick (Lori) Moran, Hubley, NS, Jeffrey (Vince) Moran, Windsor, Ont, Marleigh (Gordon) Leaman, Lucasville, NS, Barry (Charlotte) Moran, Miramichi, NB, and Julie (Ralph) Hayden, Fredericton, NB

Predeceased by his parents, Gerald Vincent Moran and Margaret Emily (Topple) Moran, and his brother Timothy (Tim)

Williams Funeral Services have been entrusted with arrangements.

At Michael's wishes, there will be no public funeral. He will be cremated, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.