Michael Alexander Sharp

Caroline and Mike leave behind family and so many friends who loved them dearly: their son - Alex, Caroline’s mom - Maria, Caroline’s sister - Monika (Steve Frangos) and nieces Becca and Sara, Mike’s sister - Barb Low (Randy - deceased), nephew Cameron, niece Colleen and grand-niece Sierra, and Mike’s brother - David Sharp (Bev), grand-niece Loradana, grand-nephew Isaiah and nephews Seanan (Sara), Ian (Nathania) and nieces Joella (Topher), Kalindi (Sam) and families.

Caroline and Mike always brought fun, laughter and adventure to the table. They were a kind, generous and welcoming couple to their family and large circle of friends. They were wonderful parents to Alex and devoted aunt and uncle to their nieces and nephews. They were passionate travelers; Caroline was an extraordinary trip planner and then spent countless hours sharing their adventures on her fantastic travel blog.

Mike was the consummate host, a dedicated volunteer, teller of bad jokes and puns and always on top of what was happening in the world. Mike loved hockey; he was a former coach and president of the West Vancouver Minor Hockey Association and was the goaltender for various West Vancouver hockey teams.

Caroline was enthusiastic in all her life endeavours – being a wonderful mom to Alex, caregiver to her mom, travel writing, figure skating, volunteering, planning her next trip (there were many), adventuring with her extraordinary group of gal pals and dancing Zumba. She shared a special bond with her favourite (and only) sister Monika; annual family trips with Mike, Steve, Alex, Sara and Becca were lovingly referred to as Griswold family vacations.

A Celebration of Life will be planned later in the Spring in West Vancouver when gathering becomes more accessible and we are ready to share stories, laughter and tears. We will be creating a photobook of memories over the coming weeks and will share this with family and friends. Other plans include a commemorative bench for Caroline and Mike (they loved to hike), a hockey scholarship in Mike’s name and a Environmental Stewardship Scholarship in Caroline’s name.

Established in 2022 the CAROLINE HELBIG AND MICHAEL SHARP MEMORIAL FUND serves as a legacy to this couple’s enduring spirit, friendships, and community contributions. Two memorial scholarships—one in environmental stewardship and the other in hockey— are being administered through the West Vancouver Foundation. Further memorial grants recognizing the interests and passions of Caroline Helbig and Michael Sharp will also be considered.

The direct link to the "Caroline Helbig and Michael Sharp Memorial Fund" through WVF is: westvanfoundation.ca

We hope you find some comfort in this lovely poem:

Sometimes

Sometimes someone special comes into your life

Sometimes you come into theirs

Sometimes they are your friend

Sometimes they are your mentor

Sometimes they are family

Sometimes they are all of these and more

Sometimes they say just what you need to hear

Sometimes you like what they said

Sometimes you don't

Sometimes you're smart enough to listen regardless

Sometimes you see them lots

Sometimes you don't for a long time

Sometimes you lose them all too soon

Sometimes you don't get to say goodbye

Sometimes the pain and sadness have nowhere to go

Sometimes you write about it

Sometimes it helps

Sometimes it doesn't

Sometimes you want to hug them one more time

Sometimes you can't

Sometimes you wonder if they know how special they are to you

Sometimes you have loved ones to share the heartache

Sometimes together is better

Sometimes you need to be alone

Sometimes you remember it's going to be alright

Not today, but Sometime

by Ian Johnston