It is with profound sadness that the family of Michael Rossiter announces his death on November 23, 2022 at the age of 78 in St. John Hospice at UBC Vancouver BC.
Mike will be lovingly remembered by his family: his wife, Mary Lou; his children, Wendy and Blake Rossiter and their mother, Lori; Shane (Aileen) Mortimer and Sean (Francesca) Mortimer; his grandchildren, Miriam (Michael), Marielle (Kieran), Cooper, and Ronin; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. He will also be dearly missed by his many friends.
In lieu of flowers, we request a donation be made in Mike’s honour to the Constable Gerald Breese Centre for Traumatic Life Losses, through traumaticlifelosses.com.
Mike was born May 18 1944. After growing up in Vancouver Heights, he moved to Terrace with Lori and their young family and ran Totem Press with Nelson and Pat McGinlay. Mike became involved in many Terrace community groups: Terrace City Council; Lions Club and sat as a hospital board member. They later moved back to Vancouver where he started Michael Rossiter Graphic Design; served on the board of the BC Brain Injury Association; designed and laid out Headline Magazine-a publication for brain injury survivors, their families, friends and for professionals-for 14 years.
Mike eventually settled in Steveston, where he spent the remainder of his wonderful life with his beloved wife, Mary Lou. It was at this time he discovered his passion for watercolour painting. Thanks to his dear friend Mark Glavina, Mike became an integral part of the Steveston art scene. He joined the plein air painting group, “Men in Hats,” and the Richmond Artists Guild as well as becoming involved with Mark Glavina’s Annual Grand Prix of Art held in Steveston since 2010. Painting brought him much joy in his life.
Mike’s friends and family will remember him most for his ability to make people laugh. Fittingly, Mary Lou’s nickname for Mike was “The Happy Fellow.” If Mike has touched your life as he has ours, we once again request that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Constable Gerald Breese Centre for Traumatic Life Losses at traumaticlifelosses.com
Mike is predeceased by his sister, Gay Sheehan and his best friend, Jim Mortimer.