Obituary for Michael George Mahaffey
MAHAFFEY, Michael George.
Born February 25, 1940. Died December 28, 2023.
Mike is survived by his two daughters, Christina Panettiere and Marnie Wedlake, Christina's husband, Donny and their daughters, Ava and Sarah. Also survived by his two older sisters, Jeanette and Marion.
Mike's life was a testament to his many interests, including nature, art and animals. He passed these interests down to his kids through his love of camping, the wilderness, and a love of all animals domestic and wild. He spent many years in Bayfield, Ontario, at the family cottage, having always been drawn to the shores of the Great Lakes.
He started his career in the 1960's working as a public health inspector in Toronto but life eventually found him returning to Kitchener. His love of nature took him into the field of horticulture where he eventually found his calling as an arborist. He loved taking care of trees and was very proud of the contributions he made making the City of Kitchener more beautiful. Mike was also a pioneer in correspondence education, writing distance learning courses for the University of Guelph.
Mike was a lifelong learner whose curiosity seemed to be limitless. As an avid reader, he always had at least one book on the go, and his library included works on everything from eastern religions to medieval history. Like many on his mom's side of the family, Mike was a gifted artist with a particular interest in painting using oils and watercolours. Through the many turns taken by his life, Mike always did his best to play the cards he was dealt.
A private committal will take place at the Bayfield Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted through Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener.
Those wishing to pay tribute to Mike's life can make a donation to the World Wildlife Fund Canada (wwf.ca
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Michael's memorial.
Born February 25, 1940. Died December 28, 2023.
Mike is survived by his two daughters, Christina Panettiere and Marnie Wedlake, Christina's husband, Donny and their daughters, Ava and Sarah. Also survived by his two older sisters, Jeanette and Marion.
Mike's life was a testament to his many interests, including nature, art and animals. He passed these interests down to his kids through his love of camping, the wilderness, and a love of all animals domestic and wild. He spent many years in Bayfield, Ontario, at the family cottage, having always been drawn to the shores of the Great Lakes.
He started his career in the 1960's working as a public health inspector in Toronto but life eventually found him returning to Kitchener. His love of nature took him into the field of horticulture where he eventually found his calling as an arborist. He loved taking care of trees and was very proud of the contributions he made making the City of Kitchener more beautiful. Mike was also a pioneer in correspondence education, writing distance learning courses for the University of Guelph.
Mike was a lifelong learner whose curiosity seemed to be limitless. As an avid reader, he always had at least one book on the go, and his library included works on everything from eastern religions to medieval history. Like many on his mom's side of the family, Mike was a gifted artist with a particular interest in painting using oils and watercolours. Through the many turns taken by his life, Mike always did his best to play the cards he was dealt.
A private committal will take place at the Bayfield Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted through Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener.
Those wishing to pay tribute to Mike's life can make a donation to the World Wildlife Fund Canada (wwf.ca
Visit www.henrywalser.com