Passed away peacefully at the young age of 61, on Sunday, August 6, 2023 in his home in Rockwood, Ontario with family at his side.
Mike was the father and hero of two loving children Brandon Stoker (Jaime) and Andrea Dillabough (Robert). Mike was the big brother to Scott Stoker, Shawna Thomson and Tim Stoker, Uncle “Unca Monkey” to Heather, Liam, Elizabeth and Catherine, and nephew to Glenn Lambert. Mike is survived by his best friend and love of his life Marianne Francisco (Liam), and pre-deceased by his parents Valdene and Denis Stoker.
For anyone who knew Mike, their first mention is always his unique “Stoker” sense of humour, which is shared amongst his siblings and includes a language of nonsense only close friends and family can understand. Committing Mike to take a serious picture without making a face, or to give straight answers without a joke, has been a life-long challenge for his friends and family and he is loved for it.
The next cornerstone of Mike’s life was his love for music. Mike was an accomplished drummer starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the Sea Cadets Band, which later inspired him to join Ottawa’s Ceremonial Guard where Mike took lead of the Guard’s Drum Line and introduced them to many of the same rudiments they play on Parliament Hill to this day. Mike would live to pass this passion on to his children who are both avid musicians.
In February 1988, Mike began his career as a Police Officer with the Toronto Police Service where he had a highly accomplished career until his retirement in August 2017. Mike spent the beginning of his career working at 13 Division, working in various uniform and plain clothes capacities including The Major Crime Unit. In 1999, Mike moved to 52 Division where he became a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigations Bureau. In 2004, Mike worked at 51 Division until joining the Central Fraud Unit at Police Headquarters in 2009. In 2012, Mike joined Traffic Services where he remained until his retirement. Through his example, Mike inspired his son Brandon who is now a Police Officer with the Waterloo Regional Police Service.
The most inspirational part of Mike’s life was his passion for his children. Mike’s greatest joy was sharing his life and many interests with his kids; making them laugh, taking them to air shows, museums, camping, fishing, and inspiring them to be better people. Mike was excited for his expected grandchildren, but he will live on through Brandon and Andrea as they embody his humour, and joy for life with their children.
In honour of Mike, the family asks to remind you to take time to call your loved ones, tell them about your day, and maybe even invite them over for a cup of tea.
Friends and family will be received for visitation at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 7-9 pm and on Friday, August 11 from 10-11 am, followed by a funeral service at 11 am in the funeral home chapel. To attend the service remote, please click on this Zoom link on the wallcustance.com website within Mike’s notice. Reception to be held in the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre. Burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Canadian Cancer Society.
A tree will be planted in memory of Michael (Mike) B. Stoker in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.