Michael Douglas Wrenshall

September 23, 1949 – October 1, 2022

On October 1st, Heaven gained an indomitable spirit in Michael Douglas Wrenshall. He spent his 73 years on earth living deeply, loving enthusiastically and encouraging anyone lucky enough to be in his orbit.

Mike was the youngest son of four children, born in Edmonton, Alberta to Helen and Charles Wrenshall. He was a spirited boy who loved music and pestering his older sisters. He graduated from Royal Military College in 1971 and went on to serve as a submariner in the navy until 1973.

A blind date transformed his world when he met our mom, Dawn, in 1971. Their fifty years of marriage is a shining example of commitment, support and adventure, one that took them from their first home in England, to the shores of Nova Scotia where their three children were born and ultimately over to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where they have lived since 1983.  

Dad found his true calling in the life insurance industry with Mutual Life of Canada in 1977. Inspired by the kindness of the agent who looked after his dad when his mom died, he was passionate about the business. If you've ever had a meeting with him, there's a good chance you bought some kind of product to help your family or business. His knack for breaking down boring and often unpalatable topics led to the underwriting of thousands of insurance policies over his 40 years in the business.

He always said that one of his greatest joys was working alongside two of his children; I (Samantha) joined the firm in 2004 and Jonathan in 2011. We shared countless happy times – and a few awkward ones! – learning from him. He treated his clients with warmth, always with an analogy up his sleeve to explain a concept. This is the same approach he brought to anyone who ever asked him for advice. And there were many. 

A humble man, Dad would not tell you how accomplished he was, or boast about his top production in the insurance industry. He might not tell you he spent years trying to better our community through his involvement in service organizations, like chairing the United Way campaign and leading the Shelter House Board in the mid nineties. In fact, Dad was always organizing a project that celebrated others or enhanced people's lives. One of his most recent undertakings was the successful TEDx TBay event in June 2016, aptly themed “What are you waiting for?” — an adage he swore by.

Perhaps his most cherished role was family man. Dad was a stickler for manners and spending quality time together. His own thirst for adventure led to some epic family vacations, often taking the “long way around” by car or train for “educational purposes.” We'll treasure our memories of being sopping wet on camping trips, the overturned canoe episode on Lac-Des Milles-Lac and that infamous horseback riding vacay, which left most of us with sore backsides and umpteen mosquito bites.

If he was here today, Dad would tell you how important it is to show up in your kids' lives. We were so blessed to have his constant cheerleading, even if it meant him butting in a little too much — like applying for Natasha's first job as a teenager?! — we always knew his intentions were good. Dad threw himself in our lives, whether it was coaching Jonathan's basketball team, shuttling Natasha to early morning swim practice, or showing up for the annual piano and ballet recitals. He was driven to teach us the importance of letting others know they matter, a value he exemplified. He was the guy we called for literally everything… a panic attack in the bush… too much booze consumed at a party… which mortgage rate we should take. We will miss his ongoing wisdom but know we'll continue to see his love woven into our lives as we move forward.

Despite enduring a painful chapter of abuse as a child, Dad was never a victim. In fact, he turned his experience around by coaching others and advocating for survivors of  sexual abuse in his later years. He involved himself in speaking engagements, on topics of forgiveness, being vulnerable, and how people with problems can still realize their potential. He helped countless other men come to terms with their own difficult pasts and considered his chance to make a difference a “gift.” 

Dad was a wild horse who loved world cultures and couldn't sit still. His wandering spirit would take him all over creation, from Thailand and China to the tip of Patagonia, always with his precious ‘Punkie' keeping him in line. Ultimately, it was Guatemala that captivated his heart after a Habitat for Humanity home build in 2007. Since then, he and our mom have spent nearly every winter in their second home in the village of Santa Ana just outside Antigua. ‘Miguel' or ‘Mike' quickly became a father figure, employer and friend to many of the local people. His beloved Enma and her children Ali, Alejandro and Carlos meant the world to him.

We are heartbroken to lose this wonderful human, but know that his life lessons will live on in all of us. He spent his last two years making videos for everyone he loved; one more chance to ensure we knew how much we mattered. That's the message he'd want us to share: make sure those you love know it. Don't wait to mend the fences. Don't hold anger in your heart. Get busy living. 

Mike is predeceased by his parents Helen and Charles Wrenshall, and will be lovingly cherished by his soulmate (Elizabeth) Dawn, his three children, Samantha (Alvis), Natasha (Rod) and Jonathan (Shalem); his five beautiful grandchildren who adored their Papa/Grandpa: Piper, Saffron, Maple, Diego and Mila. He'll be forever missed by his sisters Joan (David), Patricia (Bud) and his brother John, along with his special nieces Sarah, Mia, Amanda, Melaika, Emma and his nephews Christopher, Michael, Richard and Cameron. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to his care providers, most especially Dr. Jordan Green of the Liver Care Northwest. Additionally, we are grateful to the incredible team at St. Joseph's Care for their kindness and compassion as we helped our dad transition to his next chapter. Lillie, Nicole, Lauri and Dr. Migay, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We couldn't have done this without you.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 7th at 10:30am, at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street officiated by Archdeacon Deborah Kraft. Private interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of any flowers, we would ask that you please take a moment to call someone you love and tell them how much they mean to you.

For those unable to attend, a livestream of the service will be available on the St. Paul's Media YouTube Channel. A video recording will also be available on the Everest of Thunder Bay website following the service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.

Rest easy, Dad. (Actually, who are we kidding?
You're no doubt organizing some other shindig up there.)
We'll keep your light shining as best we possibly can.

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