Michael Douglas Rodgers

December 19, 1942 - July 23, 2022
In loving memory ~
Michael Douglas Rodgers passed away suddenly on July 23, 2022, aged 79. A dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, he will be missed greatly by his loving wife of 53 years, Noreen; his children Mick (Haruna), Kathleen (Darcy), and Keith (Fanny); his grandchildren Miki, Liam, and Raine; and his brother Phil (Sharon) and sister Jackie (Sam).
The family is grateful for the kindness and care from Dr. Andrews, Dr. Czubernat and the emergency room nurses and staff at Kootenay Lake Hospital.
Mike was an adventurer. Born in Bury, England on December 19, 1942, he emigrated to Canada in 1948 with his mother (Hilda) ahead of one of his father's (Charles) many military transfers. As an army brat he was always on the move, from Canada to England and Germany and then back to Canada where, having never attended the same school two years in a row, he settled into university life in Calgary. While funding his studies bartending, Mike met Noreen and they married in 1968. Graduating from the University of Calgary in 1970, he combined his teaching degree with that of Noreen's in nursing, and the two headed off with their newborn son and the pennies in their pockets to England for two years. From there they continued on, building their teaching and nursing careers from locations including Spence Bay (Taloyoak), Yellowknife, Winlaw, Castlegar, and Harrop, BC.
Mike retired from Kinnaird Elementary School in Castlegar in 1999, but he continued to combine teaching and traveling, enjoying time in Montreal and in China as an English language instructor and spending time with Noreen cycling through Europe, cruising the Caribbean, and wintering in Florida. He also found much to keep him busy in the Kootenays: good skiing, good golf, plenty of fishing, and a great many stories on summer evenings by the fire with. An active union member during his career, he was never one to hide his opinions, but he was equally known for his kindness and, perhaps above all, his sense of humour. "There are two kinds of people," he would often say. "Dreamers and do-ers." Mike was both.
As he would have wanted a big party with family, friends, and neighbours to celebrate his life, a wake will be held at the Harrop Hall on August 12th (arrive 3-4pm). All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to KidSport BC (https://tinyurl.com/MikeRodgersMemory)
To leave a personal message of condolence please see Thompson Funeral Service website: https://www.thompsonfs.ca.





Thompson Funeral Service