Obituary of Michael Buckle CARD OF THANKS

Card of Thanks

While we continue to grieve with heavy and broken hearts, our spirits and faith have been both strengthened and uplifted by the kindness, thoughtfulness, companionship, concern, and above all, the love, shown to our families during the recent passing of Michael (Mike).

Foremost, it was the numerous condolences, tributes, Michael’s Smile (a song forwarded to us by his Godfather Uncle Ed), slide show (created by his cousin Matthew), emails, phone calls, text messages, cash donations, gift cards, e-cards (Heavenly Creatures, The Labour Relations Board – ESDC), flowers, monetary donations to Heavenly Creatures, gifts of food, Sympathy and Mass cards, visitations to Fillatre’s Funeral Home, attendance at the Chapel Service and Mike’s Celebration of Life, and the visits to our home that really made us realize how special and loved Mike is and how many individuals he touched during his short time with us. We thank you all so much from the very bottoms of our aching hearts for being there for us in our time of need.

 A special thanks goes out to the Medical Professionals from Ontario, MacKinnon and Bowes, Air Canada, his Uncle Bill, and Fillatres for their roles in bringing Mike’s remains home to us.

Thank you to Fr. Lee Lainey and the Bereavement Team (Tony, Julia) at Sacred Heart Parish for their help in planning and ensuring that the Prayer and Chapel Services went off without a hitch, and their efforts in making both events so moving and touching. Our gratitude is extended to The Sacred Heart Folk Choir, Fr. Lee , Basil, Kelly, Andrea B., Trevor, Andrea J., Krista, Bernie, Trudy, and Leo for their help with the Prayer and Chapel Services, and the Celebration of Life. The memory of the music provided by the Choir and Fr. Lee’s heart-stirring Liturgical Service and kind words about our Loved One will remain with us forever. Kudos to all those who participated in the various events. The music provided by The Griffins and Friends’ band at the Celebration of Life was surely one of the highlights of the afternoon. There are no words to express how thankful we are for your kindness. We are truly appreciative of the efforts of all who were involved in the planning and preparation of the event. As well, Patsy, Carol Ann and Debbie, at the Westmount Club, the service and food were top-notch.

To the Executives, Managers, Friends, and Colleagues at all levels of the Federal Government who reached out to us, a heart-felt thank you to all of you for letting us know how special Mike really was. To his family and friends across the country and the U.S who provided for us, as well, a shoulder to lean on, your empathy and respect for him has provided all of us with strength to get through each day. To the cousins and Aunts, Uncle, and friend Andrew F., who made the trek from the East Coast to be with us in order to participate in Mike’s farewell, it was much appreciated.

To Andrea, Krista, Doug, Brandon and Peter, five of the many of Mike’s true friends, who travelled from away and took the time to be with us, and to Mike’s Ottawa family, especially Melanie, Lois, Tyler, Kyle, Luka and anyone else who was part of the wonderful tribute you put together, Mike is smiling down upon you guys. A great big hug to Tyler for the beautiful pictures of Mike and Mitch he had double-copied and mailed to us.

What can one say about Fillatres that hasn’t already been said in the myriad of Cards of Thanks already posted in numerous obituaries on their site. They continue to be a Class Act! Laura, Ernie, Faith, Mindy, Brenda, and the entire Staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs and wishes. The picturesque funeral home itself was so welcoming, warm and comforting. Fillatres’ professionalism, caring, friendship, and excellent service made our traumatic experience more bearable and manageable.

Finally, what is most soothing in dealing with our great loss is our thinking that God has a special plan for Mike. Perhaps he was too good for this World, and we are of the opinion that God needed another angel to help with His difficult work here on Earth. Rest in Peace, Dear Michael. We love you! You will never, never be forgotten. Thank you to all!

Gerry, Sandy, Brad, Andrea, Kerri, Trevor, the Nieces/Nephews and The Buckle and Griffin Families

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Michael Gerard Buckle
February 11^th, 1985 - April 5^th, 2026

It is with heavy and broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and loving friend, Mike, on April 5^th, 2026, at the age of 41. He leaves behind with many precious memories, his parents, Gerry and Sandy, his siblings, Brad (Andrea - Leah, Ryan, Sam) and Kerri (Trevor - Olivia, Maya, Lucas), Grandmother Eileen Buckle, many uncles, aunts, cousins, and close friends - too numerous to mention. 

He is predeceased by his dog, Mitch, who was his best bud and soulmate, with whom he will be laid to rest, Grandparents Edward Buckle Sr., Thomas Sr. and Annie Griffin, Godmother Aunt Jackie Griffin, Uncles Brian Griffin, Glen Wallace, and Gary Seaward, cousins Robyn Griffin and Anne English.

Mike was born in Corner Brook, NL on February 11^th, 1985. He was his Mom’s Valentine’s Day Baby, as she so proudly reminds everyone as he was brought home on the 14th. After completing his Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University in 2008, he packed up, left home and moved to Ottawa hoping to obtain employment with the Federal Government. His family circle grew even bigger when he moved there. He was a determined soul, and worked various jobs until he finally got his foot in the door.  Mike remained there until 2017 before moving to Toronto. In the meantime, he wore many hats over the years while being employed with the Government and you can be assured that he put everything into his work. The friends he made and kept in touch with over the years have given us great solace as so many of them have reached out to us in the last little while. In April of 2025, he decided to move back to Newfoundland to be closer to his immediate family and was so proud to have purchased his first home.  

To know Mike was to love him.  He had such a big heart and would do anything for anyone. His positive attitude was admired by everyone and he had a way of making people feel better, no matter what was going on. He always knew what to say and his sense of humor was like no other. The moment Mike walked into a room, his smile was the first thing you would see, and it was contagious. Mom and Dad often joked with him about the money they spent in his teenage years on his teeth and braces and how he came to be popularly known as “Mike With The White Teeth”. We would often say that’s mainly why he didn’t mind flashing his pearly whites. 

Mike was the biggest animal lover. The number of times that he looked after pets for friends and family are too many to count. He would never say no to looking after a dog! His biggest love was for his one and only favourite companion, Mitch. Those two were attached at the hip from the first day they met and they went everywhere together.  Knowing that they are reunited again is providing us with some peace. Mike generously donated his time volunteering with animal rescue organizations, giving care and comfort to those in need. 

Being an uncle to his six nieces and nephews was one of the things that brought Mike the greatest joy and, boy, he was the best at it! He adored those kids like his own and was always there to support them and cheer them on. The bond he created with them will last a lifetime and they are so blessed to have had an uncle who cared so deeply and loved so freely.

Our family would like to express our deepest thanks to all of Mike’s friends, family and co-workers from across the country who have reached out to us with condolences, stories and pictures. We know how special Mike was, but to hear how he has impacted so many people over the years has brought us both tears and comfort during this very sad time.

Please join us in celebrating Mike’s life with a visitation on Friday April 17th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm and a Chapel Service at 10:30 am on Saturday April 18th, all of which will be held at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 4 St. Mark’s Avenue, Corner Brook. A Celebration of Mike’s beautiful life will be held on Sunday April 19th at The Westmount Club on 10 Herald Avenue, Corner Brook, from 1-4 pm (with brief speeches at 2 pm). If you care to drop by to share a story or memory, feel free to do so.

The family would like to share that we will be having another Celebration for Mike in early July in St. John’s when we all gather together. For anyone in the area that would like to join us, feel free to reach out. More information to follow.

The Chapel Service will be livestreamed with Forget Me Not Ceremonies, you may register for the service using the link provided: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=c0a80de5-a2bd-4b57-8eab-dbee58c56a84

In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated in Mike’s memory to Heavenly Creatures, an organization that was very dear to Mike’s heart (https://heavenlycreatures.ca)