Michael “Mike” James Perkins 1940 – 2024
Michael peacefully took his last breath and closed his eyes on July 16, 2024, at Mount Saint Mary Hospital in Victoria BC. He is survived by his wife, Frances “Fran” Perkins; his three children, Nicholas, Christopher, and Amanda; his sister, Angela; and five grandchildren Annabelle, Spencer, Sam, Charlotte “Charlie”, and Willow.
He first entered the world on February 28, 1940, in Plymouth, England, where he grew up with siblings Gillian, Angela, and Nigel. He lived in Malta for two years, from age ten to twelve, when his father was stationed there with the Navy. After returning to Plymouth, he attended St Boniface Catholic High School before going on to complete a degree in civil engineering at Plymouth Polytechnic.
Soon after graduating, he moved to Leicester to work for the water department. It was in Leicester that he met Frances, at the tennis club. They married in 1967 and emigrated to Canada in 1968 with their ten week old son, Nicholas. His son Christopher was born two years later, in 1970, and his daughter Amanda in 1974.
He held several engineering jobs — in Chatham, Newmarket, and Don Mills, Ontario — before moving North with his family to Elliot Lake, Ontario in 1976, where he remained employed as the city engineer until 2005. During this time he was instrumental in creating new infrastructure and new subdivisions as the town grew. Upon reaching retirement age, he was able to continue his work for the city of Elliot Lake as an independent consultant, which he did until 2017.
Michael stayed very active throughout his life, taking part in a wide variety of outdoor sports. In his youth, he played rugby for Plymouth Albion club, Leicester Tigers, and Toronto Scottish (Ontario champs 1970). He was a lifelong cyclist and competed in triathlons and adventure races. He was an avid cross country skier. He did a five week cycling tour of New Zealand in 2007. He went on many family camping trips, as well as hiking, canoeing, and rock climbing adventures.
In his after-supper leisure time, he kept his mind active by reading the newspaper, doing cryptic crosswords, sudoku, and chess puzzles. He also enjoyed tackling home renovation projects, which were never-ending as he took his time with them and completed each one with meticulous attention to detail.
Michael was a man of few words, though the words he did speak were always worth listening to, often revealing his keen insight, as well as a terrific sense of humour. As a father, he was patient and kind, never one to raise his voice in anger. He had great appreciation for music and would often sing Frank Sinatra or Gershwin songs around the house.
As Alzheimer’s took over his life in later years, when communication became more difficult, Michael’s appreciation of music only deepened and his spontaneous bouts of dancing became more frequent. After moving to Victoria in 2020, Fran and Mike found community with the Voices in Motion choir and sang with them regularly up until Mike went into long term care at Mount St Mary’s. The care and compassion provided by the dedicated staff there was beyond measure.
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Fran and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Mike but it sounds as if he had a wonderful interesting life. I do know that you had a good life together. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
I am deeply saddened at the loss of Mike. My sincere sympathies to dear Fran and the family. May he rest peacefully.
So sorry, Mike was total class. Condolences to Fran and her family.
My deepest condolences to Fran and the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sincere condolences for your loss Fran. Mike was a near perfect soul and one of the friends I most admired. He stood tallest among them with just his quiet pensive nature.
Elliot Lake and Dieppe Public School were fortunate yourself and Mike were here during the mining boom starting in 1976. The engineering department was a valuable resource to those of us dealing with new construction.
I will mention his name and accomplishments with praise at every opportunity.
Paul and Dayle
Sorry to hear about Mike. He was a great guy and I got to know him well working with him for several years.
Sympathies to his family.
My sincere condolences Fran & Family for your loss
Dear Fran and family, my sincerest condolences. I remember Mike with fondest memories. He was my boss, my mentor and most importantly my friend. Fresh out of the University of Guelph I was hired by Marshall Macklin Monaghan (MMM), who were the Town Engineers for Elliott Lake. It was 1976 and the Town was embarking on a large residential subdivision in anticipation of the housing boom expected as a result of the reopening and expansion of the uranium mines. I was asked if I wanted to go and being single, having recently arrived from NW Ontario I accepted. It was there I met Mike. He was generous, kind and patient. He always had time to teach me with a smile and a joke. He made those formative professional and personal years some of the fondest of my life. We worked together for about 3yrs and I will be forever grateful…rest in peace dear friend….warmest memories, Myron Pestaluky
Dear Fran, Nicholas, Christopher, and Amanda, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Mr. Perkins as a kind man of few words with a generous smile. My deepest condolences. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Fran & family, our deepest condolences at the loss of your devoted husband , father and grandfather Mike!
Ken always had great respect for Mike through business contacts and during the times we were present in social settings. his sense of humour was evident.
Elliot Lake was privileged to have both of you as committed residents for many years.
We trust you will have comfort and peace in your Faith at this time of loss.
Sincerely
Ken & Jean Stainthorpe
Dear Fran and family,
Ken and I extend our condolences to you on the passing Mike a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Ken spoke very highly of his business contacts with Mike.
We appreciated the social times shared when Mike’s sense of humour was evident in light conversation, always presented in a respected manner!
Elliot Lake was privileged to have had your family as residents committed to serving the community in business aspects and many other areas that provided stability to the community.
We trust you will sense Peace and Comfort through your Faith during this season if grief,
Sincerely
Ken & Jean Stainthorpe
Fran and family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, father, grandfather and brother. May the good memories eventually lessen the pain and loss.
Fran and family,
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts.
Karen, Julian, and David
Fran and Family. My condolences to you all on the passing of Mike. Enjoyed those cross country ski outings we had in Elliot Lake over the years.
My heartfelt condolences to you Fran and family. I thought Mike had such a lovely smile and eyes that would twinkle with mischief on occasion. Although I spent most of my time with you Fran, I was always inspired and impressed by the quiet strength & support Mike provided you in whatever creative endeavours you’d pursue. Rest peacefully dear friend.
It was a privilege to get to know Mike over the years, as we worked on City matters. He was 1st class! Condolences to you Fran and your family.
Oh dear, Fran, Nick, Chris, Amanda and your families -Throughout our teaching careers Fran, I got to know Mike and thought he was such a talented, athletic, and very intelligent person. So I am bereft at hearing the news of his passing and wish to send our sympathies to you and yours. Fortunately, you have many good memories of your lives together that should carry you through this difficult passage.
Hoping you find peace, Lee and Grant
Sincere condolences to the family.
Dear Fran and family;
Sincerest condolences and prayers for you during this difficult time.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Suesan Munro
Fran, Nick, Chris and Amanda. We are sorry to learn of the passing of your cherished husband and father. We met Mike through many endeavours, from triathlons and biking to Lakeshore Development. He was a quiet man and a dedicated athlete. We hope that your fond memories will comfort you and sustain you.
Dave and Jo Anne Matheson
Fran and family, so very sorry to read about Mike’s passing. I pray that the love and memories you shared will bring you comfort in your grief. Sending love, Carol Simon
Fran and Family: I enjoyed my brief interactions with Mike in the VIM choir. His was a gentle, friendly presence. May the fond memories of Mike live on to bring comfort during this difficult time. Sincerely, Dave Chase.