MICHAEL BRIDGES

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

• Miss you brother. You inspired many mechanics including myself. The time I had with you, were some of the best moments of my life. I thank you for that. Rest in piece :( - Posted by: Jonah (Friend) on: Apr 28, 2017

• all I have to say is... Ford Fairlane, Pink Floyd, Beer and his white cat. Love you, man. - Posted by: Daina (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2017

• I have known Mike for most of my life. He was like a brother to me at one time. Mike's music was the breath of life to him; he was a great mechanic and fantastic storyteller! He had his dragons to slay, but don't we all. Mike helped me out when no one else would, and I will never forget him for that. We were close, but life went on and we didn't talk much, but stayed in touch. Life does that sometimes, sadly. I wish we were closer. Now , he is in peace, having a cold one with my dad Vic, and his beloved mother, and playing with tbe rest of the guitar gods. I will miss you, my friend. - Posted by: Daina Laniuk (Good Friend) on: Apr 24, 2017

• I have known Mike for most of my life; he was like a brother to me at one time. I know no one like him. His music was the breath of life to him, and he was truly great at his job. And what a fantastic storyteller! He had his dragons to slay, like we all do, but his heart was enormous. He helped me out when no one else would, and I will never forget it. We stayed in touch, but I wish we would have been closer... life does that sometimes. I will miss stopping in to say hello to him at work, meeting him for one at Mona Lisa's in the summer, or at one of his gigs... I sure will miss you, Mike. So glad you are at peace now, having a cold one with Vic and your mom. Love you! - Posted by: Daina Laniuk (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2017

• I knew Mike as musical acquaintances for 25+ years. When I joined OSP band some 11+ years ago, Mike and I quickly became very close. One of my most cherished memories of our time together is from last fall when Mike and I shared a drive to a gig in Swan River. We had great conversations that ran the gamut - love, life, the good, the bad the ugly, the mysterious, the stupid. We laughed, we cried and we laughed again. We shared warm comfortable stretches of silence when nothing needed to be said. Anyone who knew Mike knew he was a straight up, tell it like it is no B.S. kinda guy. Non confrontational, and a man of fewer words than actions. A refreshingly rare pearl in the ocean of the human condition. I'm struggling to get my head around Mike not being around anymore. I am richer man for Mike. - Posted by: Blair De Pape (Muscian brother/friend) on: Apr 24, 2017

• Mike and I met back in May of 1999, since then we became close friends. I considered him my best male friend ever. We would laugh, cry, get angry together. We would watch great movies while munching on take out food from Silver Heights Restaurant. He would play his guitar and sing and sometimes I would sing along not great but he never cared. Mike loved kids, he would come over and entertain my nephews many times over. Over the years he would call me and cry about his mother and others that he had lost and I would console him. We would console each other when times got difficult. We made each other a promise that when we reached that age of being in a old folks home we would end up in the same home and see each other again. We will not see each other again until I meet you upstairs. I will always remember you. You have stolen a piece of my heart Michael. Love you always. - Posted by: Melody Olenick (Long time friend) on: Apr 24, 2017

• Dear Michael, I didn't know you long, but I knew you well as Janice's special friend. Your life was short but truly beautiful, especially in your love and care for Janice and hers for you. Godspeed. Helen Hinchliff Salt Spring Island, BC - Posted by: Helen Hinchliff (Step mother of soul mate, Janice O'Leary) on: Apr 22, 2017

• I had spent a lot of time with Mike in the past, both outside of work, and in the stall next to him at Ford. I chose that stall not only cuz I knew he was a great guy, but he was a mechanical genius. From the time I met him 35 years ago with a problem I couldn't figure out on a vehicle when I was a kid, I saw that he had the passion for fixing vehicles, and then very shortly afterwards learnt that he had an even bigger passion for being a musician. He ruled in both categories. When I was working with him years ago I brought one of my sons over to his place cuz he was just getting into guitaring, and Mike took the time to show him the ropes, some tricks here and there, and steered him in the right direction. It wasn't long afterwards that he was playing fluently, and I always appreciated Mike taking the time to help a young gun follow in his footsteps, so to speak. He would always take the time to help with any mechanical problems that you couldn't solve. And he would solve them. I remember after he did one for me I looked at him and said how the heck did you know that? And he just modestly smiled at me and walked away. Whenever I had a tough problem on a vehicle that was frustrating me, he would offer advice. But not just come right out and give me the answer, but make me work for it. The sign of a true mechanic. As everybody that knows him already knows, he could play guitar like he had a natural gift. I went to many gigs of his just to watch him do his magic. It was amazing. He could play anything that was handed to him, and also play from the hip, as he had the gift of perfect pitch. Which is the ability to hear a song, pick up his guitar and just play it. Again, the sign of a true musician. I know that I am just one of the many people whos lives he touched, and I will never forget all the kindness he had shown me over the years, as he was not only a great musician, and a great mechanic, but he also had a big heart and really cared about people and I know that for a fact. I will miss you Mike. You got taken away way too soon. - Posted by: Curt Newman (Long time friend) on: Apr 22, 2017

• i am deeply deeply shocked. Mike was such an amazing person, friend and musician. He will be so missed by all the people who he crossed paths with. He was someone you could not help but love him. He was such a rascal and funny too. I know he's with his mom and Chris. My love and sympathy for his family and loved ones - Posted by: LETA Klann (friend) on: Apr 22, 2017