Mike Hounslow

1939 - 2021

HOUNSLOW, Mike October 1, 1939 - May 27, 2021 Mike Hounslow passed away peacefully in Calgary, Alberta on May 27, 2021 surrounded by his loving children. He would have been 82 today. Mike was an Alberta boy through and through, having spent the first half of his life in Calgary, then detouring to Victoria, BC for 30 years, before returning to live his last decade in Cochrane and Calgary. He grew up playing shinny hockey on backyard rinks and delivering newspapers for spending money. After hearing that they needed good players for the Police hockey team, Mike joined the Calgary Police Service in the 1950s, walking the beat in minus 40 degree temperatures while chewing on chili peppers to stay warm. Later on, he started numerous businesses, maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit in all he did. He kept up with new technology (as one of the early adopters of cell phones in the 1980s) and at 81 years old could be found using social media, making Zoom calls, and texting his kids. He was one of the biggest Flames fans you'll ever meet, and continued to play as a shutdown defenceman into his 70s. Even in his final days, Mike maintained his sense of humour. He had a natural ability to tell any story with a straight face so you never knew if he was serious or kidding. Was he actually Pavarotti's police escort during his concert tour in Calgary? Did he really ride a pig to and from school in the snow (uphill both ways)? Nobody can be sure, but Mike's stories will go down as some of the all time greats. We do know that he loved walking his favourite dog, Aspen, and could identify any bird that migrated through his garden, at all times of the year. Mike was predeceased by his grandson Michael Sazenis, and is survived by his wife Laurel, his sister Nora Jo Head, his 6 children (Scott, Sheryl, Robin, Greg, Michelle, and Lindsay) and many grandchildren. His family is grateful for the MAID program, which allowed Mike to pass away with dignity on his own terms. Rest easy, Dad / Grandpa Mike, and always remember to keep your head up and backcheck.