Michael Roger Lavigne

It is with profoundly heavy hearts we share that Michael Roger Lavigne, 66, of St Croix, Nova Scotia, died quickly and unexpectedly on the way to East Hants Community Hospital early Saturday morning.

Michael's cellphone answering machine, after retirement, was a simple "Hi you've reached Mike, or Dad, or Papa, depending on who's calling. Leave a message, I'll call you back." He will be incredibly missed in all three roles. I'm going to do my best to describe them now.

Mike was an only child, and a man of many hobbies. He loved to play the drums and guitar, and sing off-key. He went skiing in the winter and spent his summers canoeing and camping (sitting in a lounge chair with a beer and his guitar). Mike turned the act of fixing and building things as frugally as possible into an art form - I'm convinced that there was nothing this man couldn't fix, even before the days of YouTube tutorials. He could tell the same story seven times and it would be just as funny on the seventh telling as it was the first. Mike was, perhaps, the only person in the world who only typed 'lol' if it meant he really were laughing out loud.

Dad was a rock. Constant, unwavering, present, and unchanging. He lived for his kids in a way that I didn't come to really appreciate until having and raising a child of my own. He loved and supported the three of us so fiercely while somehow never picking favourites or leaving any of us behind. Dad wasn't perfect, but he really and truly would have done *anything* for us, with never even a moment's hesitation or second thought. 

Papa's very favourite thing, I think, was being Papa. His grandson Joey was his little buddy for the last 14 and a half years of Papa's life (and the first 14 and a half years of Joey's). They spent weekends together skiing, camping, canoeing, riding their mini-bikes and, in more recent years, teaching Joey things like how to weld and change the tires on a car. Papa was getting ready to welcome his newest grandson and little buddy, Ben, this summer. While they won't get to formally meet, I'm confident that Papa already loved Ben just as fully as he loved the rest of us. He was so excited for you to be a part of our family, Ben.

Michael was pre-deceased by father, Roger. He is survived by mother, Audrey; daughters, Ashley and Jennifer; son, Robert; and grandsons, Joey and (soon-to-be) Ben. He was a constant and dependable presence in countless lives and I'm certain that his absence will be felt in many ways for many years to come.

To any of the kind strangers who pulled over to help my Dad Saturday morning - from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Because of you, he wasn't alone in his final moments here in the world. I don't have the words to properly express my gratitude. 

A burial and celebration of life will be privately announced to friends and family. We love you Mike, Dad, and Papa. You are going to be *so* missed.

www.eastcoastmemorial.ca 

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