Michael Alvin Shaughnessy
Obituary
Michael Alvin Shaughnessy, age 73, of Piney, MB., passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Vita Hospital, Vita, MB.
He is survived by his three daughters: Roxane (Raymond), Sheri (Christopher), Raquel. His brothers: Randy (Ina), Fred (Cindy). His sisters: Arlene (late Roger), Margo, Beverly (Dave), Mary (Warren). Grandchildren: Darrin, Alyssa (Kevin), Brett, Kaisha,( Matthew), Conner, Chay-Anne, (Darryl), Abigale, Nathan, Joshua. Great-grandchildren: Trent, Maleah, Aurora, Ella, Isaac, Saveja, Watson, Kalila.
He was predeceased by his father Arnold, his mother Joyce, his brother Wayne, his grandson Bowdie, and of course his beloved Koko.
Mike was born September 16, 1952 in Wawa, Ontario. He was the sixth of eight children. Mike sure loved his family. Mike spoke of his family often, always with love, admiration and much respect. Mike’s family moved from Wawa to Bar River, Ontario where he went to school and worked on a neighbor’s farm while growing into a young man. Mike was a very smart man; learning came easy to him. He excelled in math and loved to learn. He also was very athletic, playing baseball with his brothers and sisters, and like a true Canadian, hockey was a passion. He graduated from Lakeway Collegiate in 1974. Then furthered that education attending George Brown College in 1974 -76 in Toronto where he graduated as a Metal Fabrication Technologist. He told his daughters about being scouted by the NHL quite a few times. He was offered a spot but turned it down because he and Theresa, his fiancée, were about to have their first child. Roxane was born in 1972, followed shortly by a second daughter Sheri in 1973.
Mike decided after finishing college that there wasn’t much work for him in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and took a chance moving to Winnipeg, MB., with his two daughters and fiancée Theresa. Mike applied at a temp agency for employment and was offered a job at Victoria General Hospital. The temp agency told him it wasn’t worth it because it wouldn’t amount to anything. Mike decided to take it anyways and the job that wouldn’t amount to anything turned into 18 years of employment. He always said he was glad he didn’t listen. Mike and Theresa had their third daughter, Raquel, shortly after arriving in Winnipeg in 1976. Theresa and Mike married briefly. There was then a brief marriage to Charlotte; they lived in Gardenton, MB. With the end of their marriage Mike moved to Vita, MB., where he then met Linda. Mike took early retirement from Victoria General Hospital to be a full-time beef farmer with Linda in Sundown, MB. He decided to take a locksmithing course then started a locksmithing company in the R.M. of Stuartburn, while continuing to farm. His desire to learn kicked in again and he obtained his Power Engineer Certificate. He then secured a job at Shevchenko School maintaining the boilers and HVAC. He retired from Borderland in 2017 at the age of 65. Mike lived in Saskatchewan briefly, moving back to Niverville, MB., living for one year with his daughter Sheri and son-in-law Christopher. Mike then moved to his final home in Piney, MB. Once in Piney he went to stay with his daughter Raquel and son-in-law Nelson for a few months in Matlock, MB to help with renovations. He was quite the handyman. Mike loved building with wood and often made himself picture frames, doghouse game boards as well as cribbage boards. He lived out his years in Piney, always helping the neighbors with cutting the grass, listening to the Beatles, of course, and adding to his extensive Beatles collection. Spending time with his best friend Smoking Joe and Smoking Joe’s wife Melody. Smoking Joe took Mike to see Beatles impersonators; he really enjoyed that. They also spent time watching sports together, especially baseball and hockey. He sure had a bunch of great friends, one that stands out is Dwayne. He brought Mike meals daily and spent time keeping him busy with conversation.
Mike had some battles with cancer (esophageal) and lung. He underwent chemo and radiation. His daughter Sheri and Smoking Joe took turns driving Mike to and from these appointments. Mike’s cancer went into remission for a few years. Unfortunately, it came back with a vengeance; it had metastasized. Mike was very fortunate and blessed to have the friends he had. He appreciated each and every one of you.
Roxane, Sheri, and Raquel would like to thank all of his friends for your compassion, friendship, and your endless support for helping our dad when he needed it most. A very special thanks to Smoking Joe, your friendship meant everything to our dad. Also a very warm thank you to Dwayne for always taking care of our father’s nourishment and picking him up when he was down. Our sincerest thanks and gratitude.
To the medical staff at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, thank you for all the care you gave to our dad and answering all of our questions, making this transition easier for us girls. To the medical staff at Vita Hospital, thank you for keeping dad comfortable in his last days, we know he appreciated it.
The memorial service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.
