I never met nor corresponded with Mr Ody, however I have a lot of gratitude to him for his work preserving aviation history. 
Only today, in 2019, I decided to research who the gentleman was behind some information I have enjoyed since 1993. 
God bless him for his work, and I hope this lets the family know thats his hard work is still appreciated now and in the future!  GodSpeed sir!

13/10/18 I Have only just learned of Michaels death . We were best friends in 
SW London, he lived at 44 Burtop road I lived at number 50. We went to the same school, the |Elliott in Southfields.(1 mile from Wimbledon tennis). If you contact me I can tell you loads more.  

Marion and family, I am so sorry to learn of Mike's death. The memories will keep you going.
Not only a husband and father lost but a very tenacious aviation historian lost to Canada.
I have happy memories of Mike presiding over often noisy aviation slide shows in the Ody basement 30 or so years ago.
Ian Macdonald
Ottawa

Farewell to Mike

During the last few days we have all done our share of crying and laughing as we recalled how Mike has influenced our lives in so many different ways. 

During those conversations I realized that a few themes emerged very strongly in his different life roles; the most important of which was the need to integrate both our good memories and today’s sadness with some of the humour that Mike enjoyed so much.


Role as a husband: As an observer, if I had to choose a word to describe my observations about Mike as a husband, it would be commitment or dedication. Mike was 100% committed to his marriage; he wore that commitment publicly like a shirt-sleeve. His dedication was there for everyone to see and it was never in doubt. I am sure that Mike and Marion had the occasional arguments; after all he was a human with human faults, although right now Mike’s positive attributes so completely overshadow his faults that I would be very hard-pressed to name a fault if I had to. 


Role as a father: The words commitment and dedication could also apply to my observations of Mike’s role as a father as could pride or love but what touched me most was his and Marion’s ability to model balance in life to their kids and, as well, to model the strength that comes from supporting each other. You can tell when you see Paul, Richard, and Dan that they have a solid core of values that govern their lives and that family values are at the center. They are competitive and hard working; yet they know that life is not always easy and that you have to go through hard times sometimes. Mike was that way. And, similar to the way Mike was, they are extremely supportive of each other. I remember vaguely an incident when the boys were young. We were out a park and Dan was off a bit at a play structure when a bigger boy started picking on Dan. I couldn’t believe how fast Paul and Richard were on the scene and 100% committed to the potential altercation and I couldn’t believe how fast the bully and his buddies disappeared. The bully obviously realized what the expression “You fight me, you fight my gang” meant.....or maybe I should say “You fight one Ody, you fight all the Odys”. I remember having the same confidence with Mike; that if you needed someone to cover your back, Mike would be there.

And in the last few days, I have seen the boys support each other and their mom in amazing ways during this difficult time.



Role as part of the Quinlan family: There are two words that summarize how I feet about how Mike fit in with the Quinlan family. The first is passion and the second is acceptance.

Mike’s passion was so obvious. I remember Mike working in the hay field and balancing bales of hay over his head and having hayseeds and dust all over himself. He immersed himself totally in what he did. And I remember how passionate he was about the baseball games that we played at the family reunions.

And I remember how Mike loved the friendly banter between us. And I remember the special relationship that Mike had with my parents. Mike loved my mother’s homemade bread and pies. I remember seeing him attack the fourth piece of bread or apple pie as voraciously as the first piece and the intense expression on his faced as he exclaimed “This is so Dammed Good”. And I remember how annoyed Mike pretended to be when my father and me arrived in Calgary with an empty pie plate, having, while on route, ate the apple pie that my mom had sent specifically for Mike.

And I remember how he loved to play 500 and how he reacted to my Mother’s “cheating”. My mom was as honest as they come and she would not have cheated anyone out of 5 cents but she also knew how much cheating at cards bothered Mike. So my mom would cheat in such a way that Mike would be the one that found out that she was cheating. And then she would laugh and laugh when Mike pretended to be mad, threw in the cards and called her “ a bloody cheater��. 

And I remember the dirty trick Mike played on my father when we were all out on picnic in the country and he took a picture of my father as my father had a pee against a tree. Mike thought it was hilarious when he presented my father with a blow up of that picture at the next family get-together. My father thought that was very funny too but I somehow think that influenced my father’s decision to help me eat Mike’s apple pie on the way to Calgary. 

Most of all I remember Mike’s hearty laughter at so many of our family get-togethers.

Mike was accepted as a part of our family almost immediately after he arrived on the scene. I know that my parents measured Mike according to his own values and also according to the degree of happiness that Mike brought to Marion. Mike scored high on both of these accounts. And I know that Mike valued this acceptance a great deal as well. I know this because Mike called me aside for a short chat at the last family reunion and told me about his upcoming chemo treatment and at the same time told me how much he had felt accepted into our family and how important that acceptance was to him. I had the definite impression that he wanted that message to be told even though it was well known and needed no telling.

And lastly, I’d like to clear up any misunderstanding that might exist about the nickname that Mike and I occasionally called each other. This is what really happened: One day several years ago Mike and I went for a beer and after a couple got somewhat teary eyed about each other. And I remember telling him what an amazing human being he was. And then he told me how wonderful he thought I was and summed up by telling me what an amazing human being I was. And so it was that from that day forward we called each other AH, which obviously referred to the term Amazing Human. 

We love you Mike. We miss you.

Marion, we will always remember Mike as a friendly, funny person who loved to tease the children and snjoyed his time in West Shefford (Bromont?) with your family and ours. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Janice (Howard) and family.

Marion, John and I were so saddened by the news of the passing of your husband Michael. We will remember his lovely smile and warm personality. God Bless. Love Melynda and John White.

Marion and family, Bill and I are so sorry for your loss...he was one helluva nice guy with a wicked sense of humour...he will be terribly missed.     Bill and Leslie Rose

Our sincere condolences to you Marion and your boys on the passing of such a wonderful man. It was a real shock to hear of his passing as we were with you and Mike that night at the baseball banquet. Thoughts and prayers are with you.   Tina and Rob

For all the years I knew him, Mike was always a man with a genuine smile that could cheer up anyone, More than once I compared to Alice in Wonderland's Cheshire cat. Mike and his wonderful smile will surely be missed by many.

Ron Martin

Marion,
I am so sorry to hear about Mike, he was a lovely man.  Mr. Otter!! I remember Andy making sure he took pics of Otters for Mike wherever we were. He will be missed, especially in the aviation community,
take care of yourself
Mary Heins

Marion, Paul, Richard and Daniel just wanted to send my deepest sympathy in the passing of your husband and father.  Michael was a great man who will be truly missed. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Father. Our prayers are with you and your family.

I first knew of Mike by correspondence when he was living and working in Alberta.  After the move to Ontario we became best friends and I have many fond memories of slide shows in his basement of pictures taken by various people around the world.  His three sons (who were very young at the time) would sneak down the basement stairs and laugh at us "old folks" oohing and aahing at various photos of aircraft.  Mike was a great gentlemen, an avid listener and was always quick to respond to e-mail queries from myself and others.  He will be sorely missed in the aviation community, and I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to both Marion and to Paul, Rich and Daniel.

I got to know Mike (Mr. Ody) whilst being friends with his sons. He was there for me when my father passed. Simply said..."As you were, they are! So, Thank you  Mike, for without you I would not have the friends/brothers I have today!" My deepest thoughts and prayers to Marion and the entire family.

Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell
among the wonders of the earth; for my larger
self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other
side of painâ€¦on the other side of darkness.

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine
that touches your skin, a tropical breeze
upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart
and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your
hour of need, I will be there to comfort you.
I will share your tears, your joys, your fears,
your disappointments and your triumphs.

Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels,
and hear the music beyond the stars.

Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses
the flowers. I am the calm that follows a
raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats
among the garden of God, and I am pure
white snow that softly falls upon your hand.

Do not weep for me, for I shall never die,
as long as you remember meâ€¦
with a smile and a sigh.

Marion 
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. 
Jim really enjoyed talking to Mike about the aviation world during our baseball games or back at the bar.
With the help of friends, family, time and a lot of love this dark time will pass.
Our sincere condolences during this difficult time.
Betty Currie - Jim Hastie

I only knew Mike through an aviation email group (North American Spotters!). I always enjoyed his postings. Mike even sent me a batch of Emergency Cards for my collection. Knowing he has left us is truly sad news. My deepest and sincerest condolences to Mike's family and friends at this difficult time.

The first time I met Mr. Ody was at Marion's birthday. He was very kind & invited me to celebrate the birthday with his family. He made me feel very welcome. 

Ken & I wish Marion & his family the courage & strength to carry on without him on this earth.

In memory
Shirley & Ken Cochrane

marion,Its me, Barbara Boulos Mike was a guy that you liked imediately when you first met him,at I know I did!His  accent of course,his humor and love for his hobby of plane numbers!     I didnt even know people did that! I remember our fist time going to  europe and planning to surprise you in london and then meeting you in Rome. Im glad to have talked to him through the years weve been friends,and to see him at our 40th ST Marys reunion.Im sure he was a wonderful and loving husband and father and grandfather.my heart aches for you all! With great sadness and sympathy and love Barbara.

Marion and Family,
Mike had many friends in Aviation around the world. People like me that he rarely saw but corrsponded with regularly. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with you all at this sad time.
Marie and Joe Farrell, Calgary

OBITUARIO

Mr. Michael J. Ody

22 abril, 1939 – 1 octubre, 2011

Andrews Community Funeral Centre - Bramalea Chapel

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