***Mike Cormier – Former Manager of Winter Harbour Marina and RV***

This tribute is intended to celebrate the legacy Mike left to the Marina, hence it is an overview of “Marina Mike”.

Mike, together with his partner, Patti, spent the summers, the last 10 years, as the Manager of Winter Harbour Marina and RV. On and in the ocean was where Mike felt at home. 

For those who didn’t know Mike, besides his wonderful work at the Marina, he was passionate about the outdoors, was a skilled Scuba Diver and an avid advocate for saving the oceans and all life in them as such, he worked with the organization “Oceans Watch”, for several years.

Photography was his lifelong passion: no wonder he took so many pictures of all of us, with our catch, to share our joy and passion for fishing, with others.

This is one of the rare pictures of Mike with his catch of the day.

The long-time guests of Winter Harbour Marina have expressed their disbelief and heartfelt sorrow when they heard about Mike’s passing: “It was surreal and seemed like it just could not be true.”

He will be remembered, by all who knew him, for his kind, gentle nature, his welcoming smile, his help and support for a great stay at the Marina. If you had an “oh no!” moment and needed to borrow something like cannon balls, fuel, tools, downrigger clip, bait, a hose, a book or just a helping hand to launch, Mike was always right on it.

His whole demeanor: the way he walked, talked and smiled gave all guests the assurance that they were in a calm and friendly place and they will get the help they needed.

Mike was considerate of others: he had a strict rule of “NO noise! after 10:00 pm, which he was enforcing with calm diplomacy.  He was caring: worried about the boats returning late and their safety and, at times, had to give a gentle lecture about letting him know they would be late returning. He was respectful and asked the guests to “please leave the place as clean as you found it”.

The Manager’s Office is now known as Mike’s Trailer, and will be used by the guests, and to honour Mike it will have a plaque on it,  which was made by his daughter.  A bench will be added near the campfire that brought memorable moments for all who joined Mike, sitting around it.

 R.I.P., Mike Cormier!

May 27, 1952 – May 13, 2022