MICHAEL BOWER

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MICHAEL BOWER In a tragic automobile accident on May 24, 2002, Michael Leslie Carman Bower passed away at the age of 27. Michael was born on October 26, 1974 in Lynn Lake, MB and lived in Leaf Rapids. In 1977 he moved with his family to Dartmouth, NS. In 1980 they finally settled in Shelburne, NS where he grew up. Michael was very active in 738 Kingsmill Air Cadet Squadron as a cadet from 1986 until 1993 when he received the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence for Outstanding Cadet Service, Citizenship and Comradeship. In his final year as a cadet he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Level 1. When he was finished the cadet program, Michael went on to become a Commissioned Officer with the CAF Reserve and held the rank of Lieutenant. He moved to Winnipeg, MB in 1994 to live with his aunt and uncle, Sharon (Hallett) and Darcy Morrow, while attending the University of Manitoba. In between working on his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology, Michael spent every extra hour that he had helping out with his familys car lot. Friday evenings were, however, reserved for the 576 Air Cadet Squadron. He spent his summers at Cold Lake, AB and CFB Borden as an athletic instructor for cadets. His last summer of University was spent working for the John Howard Society with the Restorative Justice Program. During his University years Michael met the love of his life, Jocelyn Grier. After his graduation they lived together in Winnipeg and were planning to be married on May 24, 2003. Michael enjoyed his work in corrections. He worked briefly at Agassiz youth center but made his move quickly into Correctional Services Canada first as a CO1 at Stony Mountain Institution, then as a CO2 at Rockwood Institution. He found his niche while in an acting position as a Parole Officer at Rockwood. Michael was a great lover of the outdoors. Camping, canoeing, hunting and fly-fishing, all taught to him by his parents, were always enjoyed and an opportunity to take part was never passed up. A trip home would not have been complete without a visit to the family camp. Michael was predeceased by his grandparents, Leslie and Betty Bower; and grandmother Gladys Hallett. He leaves to cherish his memory his life partner and fiancee Jocelyn Grier; parents, Keith and Gail (Hallett) Bower; brothers, Timothy and Nicholas; grandfather Aubrey Hallett (Joan) and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Michael will also be greatly missed by Jocelyns entire family especially mother Betty; brothers, Geoffrey and Campbell; and grandmother Kathleen Davis. Thank you to the staff at Seton General Hospital (Jasper, AB), Bob Joy at Edson Funeral Home (Alberta), Eirik at Neil Bardal Inc. (Winnipeg) and Cliff at Huskilsons Funeral Home (Nova Scotia) for helping Michael to return to his hometown. Funeral services have been held in Shelburne, NS. A memorial service will be held in Winnipeg on Thursday, June 6, 7:00 p.m. at the Ukrainian Canadian Veterans Branch 141, 618 Selkirk Ave. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to 573 RCACS (Ukrainian Canadian Branch 141, 618 Selkirk Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2W 2N1), The Canadian Cancer Society, or The Canadian Diabetes Association. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 02, 2002