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Michael TAM

November 5, 2010

Surrounded by his loving family, Dr. Michael Siu Kee Tam passed away at Cascade Hospice. He was born in Hong Kong on September 12, 1941 and peacefully left us on November 5, 2010.

Mike’s adventurous spirit brought him to Canada at the age of 18 to begin his post-secondary studies. He completed his undergraduate in Halifax at St. Mary’s University. It was there that he met his soon-to-be wife, Roberta Tam. Soon they were off to Toronto, where he studied medicine at the University of Toronto. During medical school, Michael joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After graduating from medical school, Michael and Roberta married, only to find they had been posted to Portage La Prairie.

It was in Portage that Mike soon learned what cold really meant, and he was pleased to get a new posting to Chilliwack in 1970, where he served as base surgeon. The lush green, temperate climate and lure of the great outdoors helped him decide to settle in Chilliwack where he started to raise a family. In 1972, he left the Air Force to start a private medical practice. He worked as a general practitioner of medicine in Chilliwack for more than 35 years. He went on to study acupuncture in 1996 and became an instructor for the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute.

For those who knew Mike, he had many passions in life which included medicine, fishing, hunting, travelling, skiing and playing pool with his friends. He was a man of great generosity, often bringing food and snacks for his colleagues or entertaining his friends with a fine glass of wine at his home. His greatest passion was spending time with family and friends. He had been known to say, “Come on in, grab a seat. Can I get you a drink?” His generous spirit and passion for life will be missed.

Mike will be greatly missed by his mother, Bernadette, his wife Roberta (nee Dougherty) of 42 years, brother Joseph (Fanny), children Vanessa (Antonella), Jason (Charlene) and Natasha (Jennifer), his grandchildren, Elliot, Rory and Clayton and nieces Irene (Peter) and Lesa. He was predeceased by his father Stephen.

A special thanks to the staff at Cascade Hospice and to Lori Toon for all their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chilliwack Hospice Society. A funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Church at 11:00 on Friday, November 12, 2010. Reception to follow at 1:00 pm Coast Hotel, 45920 First Ave., Chilliwack.



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