Michael Andrew OPPER

OPPER Michael Andrew Died peacefully January 1st, 2005 at the age of 72 at Timmins & District Hospital after a brief illness. Predeceased by his parents John and Lotta of Switzerland and a brother Nick of England. Mike is survived by his loving wife Donna (formerly Ketola) of South Porcupine, Ont., children Susan (Tom Lanos) and Mick of Marathon, Ont., Jane (Francis Dumonceau) of Medicine Hat, Alta., Dr. Cheryl Ketola (Eric Pirie) of London, Ont., and Steve Ketola of Toronto. Cherished grandfather of Shaun and Brianna Draper, Kailee and Kristen Lanos, Travis and Tyler Opper, Shaina Dumonceau, and Maeghan Pirie. Treasured brother of Sylvia (Hob Brown) and Annabelle (Jeannot DeMonte). Loving uncle of Marc Durst, Karen (Darron Carnall) and Sharon. Mike was born July 29th, 1932 in Bwanamkubwa, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). He was educated primarily at the Diocesan School ("Bishop's") in Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa. While there, he proved to be an excellent boxer, and an enduring point of pride for him was his volunteer work as a boxing coach for the youth of District Six, a "coloured" district of Cape Town. He left South Africa in 1950 to continue his education in Canada, first at MacDonald College in Montreal, later at the University of New Brunswick and eventually he earned a Master's in forestry from the University of Minnesota. Mike retired as manager of E. B. Eddy-McChesney in Timmins, Ont., in 1997 and for his many years of service he was endowed with several awards for outstanding service. Remembrances to the Timmins & District Hospital, made through the funeral home, will be graciously acknowledged. While Mike was always proud of his African heritage, he was most at home in Canada's boreal forests, and it is there that his remains will be committed following cremation. A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM in St. Matthew's Cathedral in Timmins on Friday January 7th, 2005 with Rev. Marcus Germaine officiating accompanied by organist Sue Steel.. Arrangements entrusted to the Stinson Funeral Home 100 Bruce Ave., South Porcupine (705) 235-2900. - 1/6/2005 - ID5476922