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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
D'COSTA, Michael Christopher - age 67 – of Halifax passed away January 18, 2023 in the QEII Halifax Infirmary. At this moment Michael has been reunited with his old navy pals and friends who have been waiting for him to share old memories and salty tales about being a sailor in the 70's and 80's when the ladies were plenty and the drinks were cheap.
He is being greeted with lots of licks and barks by all of the dogs he has loved so dearly and had to say goodbye to over the years - Casey, Big Lantz (named Lantz, but a distinction has to be made because we have a little Lantz now), Rosie, Petey, Sasha, Savannah and Luna. He is survived by little Lantz and Stanley who miss him terribly, particularly because they always managed to charm him out of the last few bites of every meal he ate.
Michael led an incredible life that began with his birth on Christmas Day in Rugby, England. No re-gifting for his parents that year! They were stuck with this gift. Michael's Mum did manage to find ways to entertain herself with teachable moments for her first born Michael (aka Bonk to his family). Michael found sweets irresistible and was eating them without permission. One morning Michael woke up to find a wonderful looking small cake in the fridge. He lifted the cake from the plate, opened his mouth as wide as he could and bit down on a layer of delicious buttercream frosting that encased...a hockey puck! Bonk received the message loud and clear.
Michael lived life on his terms. He enlisted in the Navy at 17, where he served for 13 years. During that time he attended University. At 30 he opened D'Costa Marketing, and at 61 decided to retire and "enjoy sitting on my arse for a while before I die". In the 67 years he lived he accomplished so much, gave back to his community, loved his wife Kim completely (almost as much as he loved Stanley), and contributed far more to this life than he ever took. He never boasted, he never expected credit, he did everything he did because he wanted to, not for the accolades - and that is why they are not mentioned here.
He was a kind and extraordinary human being. He loved adventure and travel, whether it was a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon or the Edge Walk on the CN Tower - he was always game! He lived in India for a time when he was a child. He travelled to Russia during the Cold War with the Navy. Went backpacking through Europe in the early 70's seeing every country over the course of a Summer. Explored and visited every island in the Caribbean. Experienced every state in the US and every province in Canada. There were several places he said he'd like to see but would probably never visit "a guy can only chew nicorette for so long before a smoke is a must!"
Michael requested no service or funeral. His thoughts on the whole thing were "I'll be dead, so it really doesn't matter to me". If you would like to celebrate him, take a moment to reflect on a memory, and if you're inclined, have a tipple in his honour. Believe this, if Heaven is all it's cracked up to be, Michael is laying on some beautiful hot beach, naked as the day he was born, with a Crownie in his hand.
Michael's cremated remains will be scattered at a later date where he was happiest, the Atlantic Ocean.
The full sea rolls and thunders, in glory and in glee. Bury me not in the senseless earth, but in the living sea. Bury me where it surges, a thousand miles from shore. In its brotherly unrest, I'll range forevermore.
Until we meet again...
..- -. - .. .-.. / .-- . / -- . . - / .- --. .- .. -.
(The Saltwire Network 26 Jan 2023)
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