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Mike’s ride started on January 3, 1966 in Stratford, ON when he was the last baby born to Jack (2002) and Jean and big sister’s Jacqueline (Dan) and Patricia. They built their dream home in Sarnia, where Mike graduated from St. Clair High School. He then attended Ryerson University (his Dad’s alma mater) where he graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Technology Architectural Science. In 1988, while attending childhood friend Bob McMahon’s bday party, he was introduced to a cute, short, sassy girl named Liz. Everything changed – 4yrs later they were married and started their own journey together. Mike was hired at Colt Engineering in 1997 and worked there for the next 27 yrs. Every spring when he heard the rumble of Harley’s, he would mutter, “Someday”. But he always put his family first, and the only thing stronger than his want of a Harley, was his need to be a dad. Keely sparked a light in him that will shine on forever. He couldn’t possibly have been happier. Then along came Burke. If happiness was a person, it was Mike. But every spring, he’d still whisper, “Someday”. He absolutely loved being ‘Fasha’ or ‘Farthar’ to his kids and was the true definition of a partner to Liz. Keely was always watching him cook, and he spent hours on the ice with Burke as his hockey teams “Best trainer ever, with the best hair!”. But his favourite times were the spontaneous conversations with the kids, where he could drop in just a dribble of dad advice, and bedtime where there were millions of snuggles and giggles during his ‘Pete and Dudley’ stories. Then finally at 40yrs old, his someday came. He bought a 1999 Harley. It seemed to complete him, as he felt so natural and at ease while riding. He loved taking the kids for rides, and hearing them laugh every time he hit the throttle. Life was good, then it got better-12 yrs later, Keely had just finished her culinary degree and Burke was in fire school, so Mike treated himself to a 2nd Harley. Now it was time to indulge Liz’s need to travel. It started with Roszell family trips to Disney and Panama, then to Vegas with Granny Burke and Iceland, Myrtle Beach, and Vancouver with friends Joe & Krista Broderick. Their last trip together, was the best one. The whole Roszell clan travelled to Halifax to see niece Sydney marry Vaughn Keeble before nephew Jakob and Kenzie moved to Australia. But that wasn’t Mike’s last trip. In March he met up with Joe Broderick, his Harley wife, and they rode the California stretch of famous Route 66. They loved it so much, that they planned to ride another section next year and have Bob McMahon join them. The guys are still going and plan on taking some of Mike’s ashes to spread into the wind for one last ride together. Mike created a life he loved. He spent his days working a job he still liked, rode home to cook dinner for Liz and snuggle with dogs Bruce & Wayne. His kids are grown and happy, awesome people. Keely just bought a house with Bryden (Paulssen), and Burke (Cari Hanniford) is a firefighter in Pt Edward. He was happy and wouldn’t have changed a thing ……… except maybe a 3rd bike!
Join us on Thursday, August 22, 2024 upstairs at the Ups N Downs, 226 Front St., Sarnia from 5:00-11:00 p.m. to celebrate Mike. We hope the night will be filled with love, laughter, great memories and lots of Harley shirts. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Sarnia/Bluewater Wrestling Club, Sarnia & District Humane Society, or a charity of choice (cheques only at the funeral home please). Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.
Come help us send him on his last ride.
