Michael Francis Robin Thompson passed away peacefully at the Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. Age 60 years.

Loving Son to adoptive father Stephen Thompson and Donna Thompson. Cherished Brother to Ondine Brandon and her husband Rodney; Alexander Thompson and his wife Catherine; Graham Hodge, and Bryce Hodge and his partner Darlanne Bohdan. Very fondly remembered by his niece and nephews: Emiline Willson; Nicholas Brandon and his wife Stacey Brandon; and William Thompson. Also remembered by his great nephews Gavin and Austin Willson; and great niece’s Mylah Brandon and Audrey Hodge. Beloved son of the late Annemarie Powell and Michael Cook.

Michael Francis Robin Thompson was born in Parry Sound, Ontario, the beloved son of his late mother Annemarie Powell and father Micheal Cook, and a cherished little brother to his older sister, Ondine. Michael was always fond of his childhood in Parry Sound, in particular lazy summer days at the beach and the time spent with his grandparents playing cards or fishing. Michael was a curious child and always interested in how things worked. He became renowned for disassembling various gadgets, such as the walkie talkies he received for Christmas one year, not being able to put them back together again. He never lost that childhood curiosity and many gadgets suffered the same fate well beyond his childhood.

Eventually, Michael and Ondine became the loving children to their adoptive father Stephen (Steve) Thompson, and a younger brother, Alex, was added to the family. The growing Thompson clan moved to Timmins and then to Peterborough, Ontario, where they settled. In the winters, Michael became passionate about downhill skiing and loved blazing down the hills, with short breaks for jelly-filled donuts and hot chocolate, even relishing the slow chair ride back to the top of the hill.

As Michael came of age, his work ethic began to shine through. He was always on the move, in particular working multiple paper routes at the same time, and always looking to take on more work so as to earn more pocket money. He could also be a bit of a rabblerouser. Once, intrigued with the then-hit TV show, The Price is Right, Michael racked up extensive long-distance charges tracking down the show’s host at his home in California. Bob Barker, as it happens, picked up! And, as with most teenagers of the era, he also became a fan of rock music, often subjecting the entire household to the to the loud beats of his vinyl collection – Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall was in heavy rotation.

Following successful completion of his high-school education at Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School (PCVS), Michael moved to Toronto to pursue a college diploma in Hotel Operations Management at George Brown College. His passion for work and the hotel industry led him to Banff Springs and Lake Louise, Alberta, where Michael spent a number of years working in hotel accounting and enjoying the beautiful vistas of the region. He returned to Ontario to work as a night auditor at the Harbour Castle in downtown Toronto.

Michael’s work ethic and strong desire to help others defined who he was. He always wanted to contribute and to lend a helping hand. He was restless and spontaneous, occasionally embarking on long distance road trips, including one to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to discover what fame and fortune he might find out there in the world.

Wherever he was, Michael kept his family, including his niece and nephews, close in his thoughts. He was the guardian of the family, placing regular telephone calls, often lasting no more than a minute, but long enough to be satisfied that all was well with whomever he had called. When his mother, Annemarie, moved back to Parry Sound in her retirement, Michael telephoned to check-in on her every day.

Eventually, Michael’s health and well-being required him to move into The Villa Care Centre in Midland, Ontario, were he flourished under the care of the medical team and personal support workers. According to staff, Michael’s constant good humour and gentle nature always brought a smile and brightened everyone’s day. He made regular visits to staff offices and had a habit of sitting at the main entrance greeting people as they came and went.

For family visiting him in Midland, Micheal was always eager to accompany them to the local Tim Hortons for his signature large coffee with cream. Visitors quickly learned that whether frequenting his favourite restaurant or the multiple Tim Horton’s franchises that he visited on his daily walk, it was impossible to go anywhere with Michael and not run into some he knew, someone eager to say hi to him and ask after his well-being – even during a random visit to a secluded beach many kilometres away from Villa Care.

Micheal confronted every challenge with a smile on his face and a blessing for those who crossed his path. As his health deteriorated over the last few years, Michael never lost his sense of humour, grace, and kind heartedness. As much as he was the family guardian, Michael was also forever appreciative of the help he received from close family, his sister Ondine and Steve and Donna Thompson in particular.

Michael relished the small things in life, like the odd meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken, his daily Diet Cokes, and a monthly delivery of sugar-free breath mints (which always prompted phone calls to declare that the package was received and secure, oh, and could he pay for the next shipment himself, please?). On one of his last visits with Ondine, Michael giggled and giddily recounted childhood memories as they played crazy eights.

Over the course of his life, Michael embodied and represented the very definition of resilience. Confronted with multiple challenges in life, his pure spirit, gentle soul, and the belief in a better tomorrow never faltered, never waned, and stayed with him until the very end. May his example inspire us all to live and love as purely and as innocently as he did.

He will be dearly missed.

Cremation.

Graveside Service will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Parry Sound on Thursday, July 11th at 1:00 P.M., followed by a reception for family and friends at the Logan Funeral Home, 81 James Street, Parry Sound.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated.

Condolences

Thinking of you and your family at this sad time. I'm so sorry Ondine.

Steve, Donna and family, please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of Michael. Family was very important to Michael and he was truly blessed to have you all.

Steve and Donna, So sorry to hear this news. Thinking of you and the families. Michael and Chris

My condolences. He was a great guy to take care of at the Villa. He will be missed. He was so sweet and kind to talk to.

I never cease to be amazed when young people get away while I still exist. It's strange, and bizarre. And, it makes me feel guilty for still being alive. Steve, you and I have been in the harness forever. I share your sense of loss. Because I too, have been there. Peace mon ami. ☮️

Dear Steve, Ondine, Alex, and your families, I have fond memories of our visits with you and Michael during childhood. I remember being so impressed that Micheal had three paper routes. I am sending you love at this time. Wendy Fischer

Love to you all ... Michael was a very sweet and gentle soul.

Dear Steve, Donna and family, Sending our love and deepest sympathy at your loss. With much love and caring, The Denune Longs. Tom, Teresa and Katherine

So sorry for your loss.