Joseph "Mike" Armand Michael Picard

Born on July 19, 1944, in St. Jean, Quebec, to Annie Hutchison and Rene Picard, Mike grew up in Clarenceville, Quebec. Mike joined the Navy in Halifax when he was 18 and soon after his family moved to Victoria where he met the love of his life Marcia Rose Bates, after their mothers who were co-workers and neighbours schemed to set them up. Mike married Marcia in Victoria on May 20, 1966 in the chapel on the Navy base, they continued to make Victoria their home for three years until they transferred to Comox with air sea rescue and lived there for four years.

In 1973 Mike and Marcia moved to Fort Nelson with the intention of only staying five years, however the beauty and charm of the region captivated them and they've called it home ever since.

Together they had two children, Correne (Randy Bassett) and Devon (Nicole Hubbell). They quickly got six grandchildren and two bonus grandchildren. Mike looked forward to family dinners, barbeques and annual camping trips with the family.

Mike worked for Fort Nelson Gas, West Coast Energy, Pro North and Penn West Petroleum, and eventually served as a commissionaire at the local jail. Mike was a hard worker and made several life long friends everywhere he went.

Mike was a kind and gentle soul who loved the outdoors and had a passion for fishing, bird feeding, tinkering in his shop, camping, and spending time with his family. He was an avid grouse hunter and reloader, black powder shooter and his love for nature was evident in his beautiful gardens and the birds and squirrels he cared for.

Mike's love of fishing was legendary, and his excitement was contagious. He shared many fishing adventures with his children and grandchildren, including a memorable trip to Muncho Lake with his daughter Correne, where they caught a 20lb lake trout right off the shore on the first day. Mike was so excited to show Marcia the fish that they packed up and drove home that day. Some of Marcia's favourite memories with Mike was their many solo camping trips where he would take her out on the boat at Muncho Lake for hours and hours on end.

Despite his thrifty nature, Mike had a surprising weakness for online shopping, often leaving his wife Marcia to delightfully discover unexpected packages at the post office, revealing his secret indulgence. Mike would order everything from spices, to fishing gear to tools.

Mike's kindness and dry sense of humor touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years Marcia, his children Correne (Randy) and Devon (Nicole), his grandchildren Matthew, Jadyn, Ella, Kaleb, Riley, and Aria, and his two bonus grandchildren Nicole and Tyler and all who knew him.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Rene and Anne Picard, his brother and sister-in-laws Merv and Kay Bates, his sister Lynn Jensen, his brother and sister-in-law Bedford and Mary Bates, his father and mother-in-law Frank and Lila Bates, and some of his beloved fur babies Sprocket, Orbit, Turbo, and Goose.

Rest in peace