Mr. Michael "Beetle" Brooker

It is with great sadness that we announce that W. Michael A. Brooker (“Beetle”) passed away peacefully on August 5, 2021, at the CHSLD Bayview Centre in Pointe-Claire, surrounded by family at the age of 90 years after a long life full of love, kindness, gentleness, and laughter.

He was the beloved husband of Jeannette Brooker (van Boxel). He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his children Mark, Tom (Leslie), and Ann Sylvia (Byron) and his grandchildren Alexander, Carolyn, Eric, Anna, Lowell and Callista.

As a young man growing up in South Africa, Michael was a human rights activist and member of the Liberal Party which opposed Apartheid. He wrote scathing letters to the newspaper editors attacking the regime. He met Jeannette, to be his lifelong companion for 62 years, while mountain climbing around the Cape. In 1962, the political situation being untenable and dangerous, Michael and Jeannette sought a more just society in which to raise their family; and so, they set off to make Canada their home.

Michael was an adventurer - happy at the stern of a canoe steering into the wind, barking “paddle!” to his crew. He liked to hike, tandem bike, cross country ski and run marathons. He chose the challenging path, the longer route, the steeper climb; he broke the trail. He was a playwright, regaling the Laurentian Ski Club with year-end plays featuring political figures of the day. He taught chess to his children and grandchildren and played to win. He loved classical music. He was an animal lover with countless wildlife and pet stories, told with a twinkle in his eye.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed mentoring, training, and teaching others at Northern Electric, CN Rail and Pratt and Whitney, as a part-time university lecturer, and in the community.

He was born a twin, but his sister sadly died at birth. Raised an only child, he did not have a large family, so he built his own and loved and cherished them all dearly to the end. He was deeply loved.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Bayview and previously the Chartwell Belvédère for their exceptional dedication and care to Michael and his family.

Visitation to pay respects at Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes 222, A. 20, Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9S 3X6 Thursday, August 12, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 2:30 pm at St. Philips Anglican Church 25 Brock Ave N, Montreal West, Quebec H4X 2G1.

Those who wish to donate in Michael’s name might consider the CNIB Guide Dog Urgent Expansion Campaign or NCC: Nature Conservancy of Canada

Published on August 10, 2021