Michael Rosholt Elrick

ELRICK, Michael Rosholt 1963 - 2009 After being diagnosed in August, Michael's journey with cancer ended when he died of complications from his illness on November 23, 2009. Loving husband of Heather Allan and adored Papa of Nicholas and Meghan. Dearly loved son of David and Mei-fei, much loved brother of Stephen, James and his wife Cristine, Pierre and his wife Elaine; son-in-law of Winnifred Allan; brother-in-law of Laird, Beth, Dan, Cathy and Nestor. Uncle Mike will be greatly missed by Ayla, Jade, Kellie, Janet, Jenny, Patrick, Jamie, Sarah, Valerie and Allan. The foundation of Mike's life was his family and he was grounded by his relationship with Heather and being a father to Nick and Meghan. In all aspects of his life, Mike was a teacher, sharing his love of nature, music, paddling and the trail with everyone he knew. Mike inspired, influenced and guided countless young people through his twenty years as a teacher and coach at the Upper Grand District School Board. He developed CELP (Community Environmental Leadership Program) and Headwaters where he made the outdoors a classroom and provided a life changing experience for his students. Mike created community in every endeavour in his life – most recently in the blog he began in September to share his journey with cancer (michaelsblog.ca). Michael's family extends heartfelt thanks to the chemotherapy clinic and staff and nurses of 4 East at the Guelph General Hospital for their exceptional care, and to friends and family for the outpouring of loving support throughout Mike's illness. Friends will be received at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, on Friday, November 27, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 30, 2009 at Harcourt Memorial United Church, 87 Dean Ave., Guelph, at 1 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Those who wish can make a charitable donation in Mike's memory to the Guelph Community Foundation/Mike Moves Us Legacy Fund. www.guelphcf.ca Guelph Community Foundation P.O. Box 1311 Guelph Ontario N1H 6N6 (cards will be available Monday at the memorial service, or at the funeral home Friday. Information available at 519-821-5077 or send condolences at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com). From one of the replies on Mike's blog: “When….our fires are bright, our wood is dry, our rivers are wild, our balsam is fragrant, our bannock is brown, our wannigan is heavy, our guitars are in tune….. we will know you are with us.”

Friends will be received at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, on Friday, November 27, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 30, 2009 at Harcourt Memorial United Church, 87 Dean Ave., Guelph, at 1 p.m.