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Wednesday, August 17, 2016
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The family of Michael Gourley uploaded a photo
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Nestor Prisco lit a candle
Sunday, February 24, 2013
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Remembering Mike...
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Linda Dempster lit a candle
Saturday, March 31, 2012
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Sincere condolences to the Gourley family for your loss. Mike was an exceptional person, friend and mentor to many. My career in the Ministry of Treasury & Economics/Finance benefited from his sage advice and good humour on many occasion. He will be sadly missed.
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Vivian Judy and John posted a condolence
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Susanne Joel Emily and Families. As the hour nears for Mike's final tributes, we offer you our heartfelt sympathies. Although the passing of years has let us go our separate ways, we all have our memories. These will remain with us always. God bless you as life's journey continues. Vivian, Judy,John and Leslie.
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Suzanne Desrochers posted a condolence
Friday, March 30, 2012
Dear Suzanne, Emily and Joel, I was very sorry to hear of Michael's passing. It was always a pleasure to talk to him when we met. He was a very special man. My thoughts are with you and your family. Tante Suzanne
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Anne Evans posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Dear Suzanne, Emily & Joel, I worked with Mike at the Ministry of Finance for many years, in different roles, but for me the most important relationship was as Mike's EA when he was ADM, Office of the Budget. I think that was around 1988. He was a terrific mentor to me, giving me the exposure, experience and confidence to move into the management ranks. The successful career I enjoyed over the subsequent 10 years was in no small part due to the encouragement and support I received from Mike at the outset. I also owe Mike a big debt of gratitude for supporting my decision when it finally came time for me to leave the OPS, which opened the doors to a very rich experience working internationally. But just as Mike had such a big impact on my career, I’m sure you have heard many similar stories from others who worked with Mike. Mike was one of those special people you meet along the way who is a bit bigger than life – a true leader who can inspire people to try harder, go further, and put real passion into the work that you do. Unfortunately I will be out of the country so will be unable to attend the service on Saturday. Please accept my deepest condolences.
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Bryne Purchase posted a condolence
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Dear Michael I am so sorry that we did not have at least one last time to chat. There is one thing that I wanted to thank you for that I don't think I ever did, or at least did sufficiently. You will remember perhaps that you gave me the opportunity to develop the dreaded "Debt Retirement Charge" on our electrcity bills. I was a private consultant at the time but we had known each other from the late 1980's at the old Ministry of Treasury and Economics. In fact, during that time, we shared a fabulous trip to the far north of Ontario on Hudson's Bay. It was such a spectacular site of endless beaches, beach ridges, countless polar bears and layer upon layer of birds. Absolutely breathtaking and something every Ontarian should be as privileged as we were to witness. I particularly remember you casting a line into a cold and unnamed tributary to the Bay, only to have an instant strike from a rather large catch. Those were the days! Anyway Michael, we had our many policy disagreements, but I never forgot the good times and especially I never forgot that I wanted to thank you for getting me back involved in the energy file in Ontario. The study of energy economics at the privincial, national and global level has been a preoccupation, and a source of endless fascination, ever since. Until we meet again, rest easy... and thanks. Bryne
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Vivian Bercovici posted a condolence
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Dear Joel, Josette and Family: I smile as I recall the quirky twists and turns that brought me into contact with Michael. As a political staffer in Finance in the 90s, I had the honour of interacting with and learning from a giant - Michael. He was brilliant, hard-working, funny, uncompromising in standards of excellence. You could see the quality of excellence he brought out in those around him....a true leader. Several years later, ten years ago, I had the good fortune to get the most awesome ski instructor on the hill at Sun Peaks...."Joel". At the end of the week, I learned your last name - and that you were Michael's son. No surprises there. You share the same generous, warm, fun-loving spirit. When I spoke to Michael upon returning, he loved that story, particularly how you manipulated me psychologically to conquer my fears.....:). We discussed professional matters over the years. He was always available and helpful, but it was wonderful to see how he shifted gears. A few years ago, I returned to Sun Peaks with one of my daughters, and we both loved hitting the slopes with you and Josette. We hope to return soon. Wishing you all strength through this very difficult time and in the days ahead, but you must be fortified by remembering the gift that was Michael and how fortunate you were to have him. With Sympathy, Vivian
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Gabriel Sekaly posted a condolence
Friday, March 23, 2012
Suzanne, Emily & Joel, Ever since I received news of Mike's passing I having been thinking about what to write to you. It is hard to express my thoughts about what a great friend and mentor Mike has been to me. Working for Mike as his EA at Finance was a treat - I learned so much from him. More importantly was the friendship that we forged. I will always remember fondly his love of life, his good humour and his caring. He was always there for me when I needed him with a sage word of advise. I know that he loved you all dearly. He loved his grandchildren and spoke about them often. He was always excited about his trips with Joel and I saw many pictures of the BIG fish you would catch and the bears that crossed your path. And, of course he was always excited about your cruises in different parts of the world and was always trying to get me to go. My deepest condolences gabriel
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Karen Sadlier-Brown posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Dear Suzanne and family Michael was a wonderful person. He brought integrity, intelligence, compassion, humour and bounds of energy to everything he took on. He taught those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him in the Ontario Public Service so much: how to take on the most challenging issues; and how to have fun in the process. With his very broad shoulders you always knew that Michael would support you in a difficult situation. The Province is a better place to live because of him. I am enormously saddened that he’s not with us, but he will be in my heart forever. I am so very grateful to have known him.
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Your Sister, Pat and Family lit a candle
Saturday, March 17, 2012
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Your zest for life and laughter will be how we remember you. Dancing at weddings, singing "hurtin' songs" and sharing your treasured moments of children and grandkids will be the memories of the brother we will hold dear forever.
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Tom Sweeting posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
To Mike's family I had the pleasure of working and playing with Mike in the Ministry of Finance for many years. He was my colleague and for many years my boss, and he was exemplary at all he did. In any person's career you recognize that one or two people are the ones that have the most impact on you and your organization. There is no doubt that Mike was such a person to me and many in the Ontario Public Service. As a long time senior civil servant, I can personally attest to the quality of the advice and the leadership that Mike provided to Premiers, Ministers and public servants. Most importantly, he was fun to be around. Senior civil servants in the Ministry of Finance are under incredible pressure to provide advice and deliver results that can affect millions of Ontarians and impact directly the government that serves them. Mike made sure that working in this kind of environment was enjoyable and never passed on the pressure that was put upon him. I am sure that you as his family saw on an everyday basis the joy and humour that helped us so much in dealing with the daily life in Finance. Everything I ever saw Mike do was accomplished with much humility and concern for others. I am sorry that I will be out of the country when you gather to celebrate Mike's life. I would have like to express to you persoanlly my thanks for the time I was able to spend with him. My condolences Tom Sweeting
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Risa Shuman posted a condolence
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Nobody got more pleasure out of playing the "Polkaroo" at TVO functions than Michael. I have only the fondest memories of this most gentle man. My deepest sympathies. Risa Shuman
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Liette Desrochers and Peter Cleyn posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Dear Suzanne, Emily and Joël, We were so saddened to learn of Michael's passing. He was a loving husband, dedicated father and grandfather. He made the life of all the people he met more interesting. Our sincere condolences to you and your families.
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Carol Burtin Fripp posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
I am shocked to hear of Michael Gourley's death, so very premature. He was very well regarded by everyone who knew him at TVO, and we all regretted when he left TVO to take on new professional challenges. He was a genuinely nice person, and a genuinely good man. Please forward my condolences to his family.
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Ron Schwartz posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
My sincerest condolences to the family. I was a partner with Michael at PWC prior to 2001, and always enjoyed our time working together. He was always able to contribute something special, and it was a real pleasure to work with and know him. Ron.
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Georgia Volker posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
While working in the Ministry of Finance Communications Branch, I was lucky enough to have Mike as my Deputy Minister. He was always a lot of fun and took the time to praise and talk to all of his staff, always with a kind word and time to chat. He will be missed and my condolences to all the family.
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Toni Farrace posted a condolence
Monday, March 5, 2012
Dear Gourley Family As a 26+ year civil servant at the Ministry of Treasury and Economics (Finance),the Deputy's office was never quite the same before or after Mr. Gourley's tenure. He once summoned the entire ministry staff to an off-site rush/urgent compulsory meeting and started off by telling us about his days as Pokeroo. I don't remember the purpose of the meeting. I do remember his warm greetings, kind smile and happy face at all times. I am so saddened to hear how things turned out for him. With sincere sympathy, Toni Farrace
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Hugh Mackenzie posted a condolence
Monday, March 5, 2012
I have many happy memories of Mike bth in government and in politics. He as a wonderful person and his pre mature death is a real tragedy. My thoughts are with you.
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Henk & Linda Ploeger posted a condolence
Monday, March 5, 2012
Dear Michael ! I was very sad to learn about your recent illness and its unfortunate result. It must have been such a difficult time for Suzanne and your family, but also for you, to face the inevitable we all have to face , but in your case far too soon indeed ! Given all that you were involved in late in your rather varied career, you must have left so much of a hiatus in so many fascinating places, your dynamics and imagination most sorely missed. I think back fondly upon the many wonderful years we shared our professional lives within the world of Queen's Park,the occasional disagreements at the time having lost their edge with the passage of time. Linda and I will never forget you masterminding a neat presentation upon my retirement that was very special and warmly appreciated. In fact, we ended up becoming virtual neighbours, you doing your thing on a bicycle and stopping by for a chat and promise to engage in a game of golf, now postponed to the hereafter. You have left an indelible footprint in many lives and organizations, all of which will miss you dearly and all of which would wish you could have been given more years to enjoy life with your family and your many causes. You still owe me a battle on the links ! Until then, goodbye my friend, Henk Ploeger
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murray segal posted a condolence
Monday, March 5, 2012
As terrific and fun loving a civil servant as I ever had the pleasure to work with. My deepest sympathies to the family, Murray Segal Deputy Attorney General
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Olga Kuplowska posted a condolence
Monday, March 5, 2012
I am totally shocked to learn about Michael passing away. I had the pleasure of knowing him and working with him when he was at TVOntario in the 80's. I have only fond memories of him - a truly wonderful person, inspiring, helpful, gracious, and always full of life and zest. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in eternal peace.
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Grace Mistry & Mike Hasson lit a candle
Sunday, March 4, 2012
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Our sincere condolences to the entire Gourley Family. Emily, Chris, Maddy and Zach you are in our thoughts and do not hesitate to let us know if you need anything.
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Norm Shulman posted a condolence
Sunday, March 4, 2012
On behalf of myself and the Board of the Ontario Gerontology Association, our condolences. I knew Mike over the past fifteen or more years and was delighted when he agreed to join the Board of the OGA. In his short time as a board member, he made valuable contributions to the work of the Association. We will be among the many we mourn his loss.
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Saturday, March 3, 2012
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Michael's compassion and endearing spirit will remain alive in our hearts. Prayers for peace go out to his beloved family and to everyone who had the pleasure of loving him.
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Diane Mancuso & Kevin Frank lit a candle
Saturday, March 3, 2012
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Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Your memories will help ease your sorrow over time.
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The Cibelli family lit a candle
Saturday, March 3, 2012
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with all our love
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Bob Nixon posted a condolence
Saturday, March 3, 2012
I am so sorry to read of Mike's death. As a green-horn Treasurer of Ontario in 1985 I found him to be a tower of strength, knowledge, helpfulness and good humour as he advised and assisted me. We had many tough times as when the rating agencies downgraded Ontario's credit rating and we shared the satisfaction when the AAA rating was restored some months later. And when we actually balanced our accounts for the first time in years. A wonderful experience for me with Mike's strong advice and friendship. Dorothy and I send our deepest sympathy.
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Penny and George Pedersen posted a condolence
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Dear Suzanne and family, Penny and I were deeply saddened to read Michael's obituary in today's Globe and Mail. I was privileged to work with him when he was the VP at the University of Western Ontario. He was such a great guy who enjoyed every day of his time there. Life is sometimes just not fair. Our thoughts are very much with you. Warmest, George Pedersen
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Elner & Bob Cibelli posted a condolence
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Dear Suzanne, Joel, Emily, Madison, Zachary, Josette, Chris & family, Although it has only been the past 12 years that we have been truly blessed getting to know and love Mike, it feels like he has always been a golden thread woven into the tapestry of our lives. He will forever remain in our hearts. The many joyful memories we were privileged to share will forever be cherished and treasured. His presence engraved deeply within us, he will sorely be missed. While often calling Mike a walking dictionary & thesaurus as he always answered whatever question posed to him, he had the loveliest, gentlest soul ans genuine smile. His deep love, pride and compassion for all of you, is a lesson for us to emulate in our lives while we remain here on earth. For every bicycle path not ridden, fish, fowl or flower yet to be photographed, God's landscape or ocean to traverse, humanities problems still unresolved, sadly all a huge loss for Mike's untimely passing. However, for all who were fortunate to know and love Mike, we celebrate his exemplary life. With our deepest heartfelt sympathy and love, Elner & Bob
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Nestor Prisco posted a condolence
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sincere sympathy to the Gourley Family. Nestor Prisco, North Bay, On
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murray segal posted a condolence
Friday, March 2, 2012
murray segal made a donation to Liver Transplant Fund, Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation
