Passed away peacefully on May 1, 2024 at Welland County General Hospital, in his 92nd year, with his loving sons by his side. Mike was born on November 7, 1932 in Welland, Ontario, grew up in Welland South, and lived most of his life in Fenwick. He is predeceased by his niece Susan, sisters Ann and Mary, parents Fred and Nellie, and Mary, his wife of over 63 years. Mike is survived by his sister Kay, brother Ron (Dianne), sons Marty (Sue) and Mike (Susan), grandchildren Heather (Al), Richard (Katie), Alison, Matthew (Nicole), Michael (Shaney), Daniel (Shannon) and Emily, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Mike fondly remembered his childhood in Welland South, where his happy experiences included swimming in the canal, playing with his dogs, skiing on barrel staves and boxing under the streetlights. However, he lost his father at the age of 14 and mourned this loss throughout his life. He spared his family from a similar loss by vigorously advocating for better medical care for his wife Mary, saving her from a nearly fatal illness.
Mike worked very hard throughout his life. He built two homes in Fenwick, and was still mowing about 2 acres of lawn in his 90th year. He was an extremely talented artist and craftsman who completed a wide variety of works. These included oil paintings, motorcycle and automobile graphics, murals in the tunnels at Page-Hersey (where he was employed for 33 years), textbook and safety manual illustrations, colouring books, cartoons and commercial signage (from gold leaf on office doors to barn walls visible from blocks away). He used these talents in his involvement in an environmental campaign. He enjoyed fishing, wine- and beer-making, researching and archiving Internet articles, video recording family events, gardening, and tinkering with just about anything that caught his attention. More recently, entertainment included Solitaire and Sudoku on the computer, and watching the Raptors.
He was the Dad who was always there to drive to basketball practices or games, and support his boys with anything they were doing. He was the best taste-tester for Mary’s cooking, and an enthusiastic collaborator in many of her crafts. Mike was very proud of his Ukrainian heritage and was a devoted Gido to his grandchildren. His family must take comfort in his being re-united with Mary, who he has missed so deeply since her passing in 2015.
Many thanks to Dr. Saquib Ansari, the supportive staff and his friends at Plymouth Cordage, and the caring nurses in the ER and 3 South. At Mike’s request, cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lampman Funeral Home, Fenwick, ON. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Donations to Pelham Cares, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, or The Canada-Ukraine Foundation would be appreciated by the family. www.lampmanfuneralhome.com
As we send our heartfelt condolences to Marty & Sue, Mike & Shaney and all the Kicul family, we are very sorry for the loss of much loved Gido, but take comfort he has once again joined his beloved Mary.
Denise & Howard Carpenter
Thank you again, Denise and Howard, for your condolences. We appreciate your support very much.
Dear Marty and Mike,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father,spent many high school days around the kitchen table, eating your mom’s cooking and discussing life with dad!!!! Dad always had some nice wine in the basement, which we raided at odd times! Sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your families.
Chris & Dana
Hi Chris and Dana. Thank you very much for your condolences. Believe it or not, there is still wine in the basement, although I would not suggest raiding at this point. Here is another memory which we have re-lived with Dad over the years: “The Lord said ‘Let it fit, and it fat’ “. Mom and Dad always enjoyed your visits, Chris. Cheers!
Our sincere condolences to the entire family. So sorry for your loss.
Wayne & Céline
Thanks again Wayne and Céline. Your condolences are appreciated very much,
My Condolences . Sorry for your loss
My prayers for the family
Dear Marty, Sue, Michael, Susan and family, Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of your dear Dad. Such a nicely written obituary on a very fine gentleman, whom I remember from my youth and for many years after. Interesting that he shared the same birthdate as my Dad (but born 14 years later, of course)! Your Mom will be awaiting him for sure! He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. Sincerely, Barbara Rybiak and Travis Secord
Hi Barb, Thanks to you and Travis for your condolences. It was very nice to hear from you. Yes, very interesting that our Dads shared a birthday…it was a very special day. I hope all is well with you both.
Uncle Mike was one special man. My sister Susan and I always enjoyed his visits with Auntie Mary and Marty and Michael. A kinder, gentler man could not be found. May the great memories we have sustain us throughout this sad time. I hope he found the recipe for buckwheat cabbage rolls from my mother Mary Kicul Kulpaka! We are so happy we saw him in the fall. Love you Uncle Mike❤️
Hi Sharon. We have lots of good memories of visits with your Mom and Dad, and you and Susan. And it was so nice to spend time with you and John in Dad’s final hours. I am not sure if we had your Mom’s recipe exactly, but Dad and I did make buckwheat holobtsi (April 10, 2020) and they turned out pretty well. We needed to try again but never got around to it…one of my regrets about things not done with Dad. It was nice to be reminded that Anastasia and Alexandra visited 790 Church St and enjoyed it too. See you and John soon.
Dear Mike and Marty,
I met both your parents when I was a living in, and a beginning teacher in Fenwick. Mike, you were in my Grade 3/4 class. I think that what I saw then of the character of both the boys, was a testament to the way that you were raised by your mother and your father. A wonderful family. My condolences to both of you.
Sincerely,
Tillie Clapp
Hi Tillie. Thank you so much for your condolences, and your kind message. It is so nice to hear from you, and think back many years to St. Ann’s. We were very lucky to have the Mom and Dad we had. Among other things, they always stressed the importance of school.
Thank you so much to all who posted. Such kind and thoughtful comments from all of you. It is certainly uplifting to see your names and know you care.
Deeply saddened to hear of your father’s passing. Condolences, Prayers
To the Kicul’s families
We send our deepest condolences for your loss of your brother, father, Gido, uncle, and friend.
I remember the first time, I met this larger than life gentleman. Mike and Ziggy Sojka were out putting up elections signs for a provincial election in the 80s. From that day forward those two gentlemen became my comrades in politics and environmental issues for over a decade. Mike had a talent for creating political satire cartoons and environmental signs as large of four by eight feet signs. Mike had many of his cartoons in local papers and union news. During our ten years of opposition to the toxic waste disposal proposal, Mike was a founding member of the Niagara Residents for Safe Toxic Waste Disposal. Mike created and placed his signs throughout the Niagara Region. His signs always had positive messages of opposition, Mike’s most impressive achievement with these signs was the one that was placed in front of the Niagara Regional Government Headquarters on St.David’s Road by Block University. There has never been any protest sign ever since or before Mike’s sign was allowed by the region.
Mike Kicul was a good friend and dedicated activist for the good of social and environmental issues.
May Mike Rest In Peace.