Obituary for Michael Fay
In Loving Memory of J. Michael Fay
J. Michael Fay was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec 18, 1945 and died in Minden, Ontario on June 7, 2020. He was a loved and loving husband, father, brother and son. He will be forever missed by his family: his life partner, Fay Martin, daughter Krissa Fay, step-daughters Heather McLeod (Arno Kalbus) and Kirstie McLeod (Scott Martin); grandchildren Michael P., Bec, Ria, Ben, Maura-Jane, Sam, David, Katie and siblings Kathy, Peggy and John. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Mary-Grace, siblings Mary Anne, Patty and Tim and grand-daughter Ella.
Michael was a force for change, a tireless cheerleader for causes and individuals, a gifted organizer and communicator, committed to social justice through-out his life. Before he left the USA for Toronto in 1970 he was a Volunteer for America in Chicago and dedicated advocate for civil rights, including working on Robert Kennedy’s 1968 campaign. He continued to organize and advocate for social justice in Toronto, spearheading several community organization initiatives and a key part of CommonAct.
In 1975, he moved to Alberta and became a freelance journalist and published author, studied at the Banff School for the Arts and Bread Loaf Writers Conference with W.O Mitchell, Alice Munroe and others. He founded the Alexandra Writers’ Centre and edited the Dandelion. He was twice president of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, and as such negotiated creators’ rights in Canada’s initial agreement to reimburse writers for reproduction of their work (Access Copyright).
He became a health promotion worker with marginalized and immigrant populations in Toronto from 1982 to retirement in 2002 – some of his key accomplishments of this time include the Speak Out! And Count me In! initiatives and the documentary Salud.
In retirement he moved to Minden where he gave leadership for better library services, the Arts Council, Minden Cultural Centre Foundation, and became a playwright. He founded Conjurors of County Town which produced several original plays, his and others, based on local history and performed outdoors. In later years, he returned to writing short-form fiction, a collection of which: Tenderness and other Stories, was recently published. And Michael continued daily efforts to inspire and engage until his very last days through his FaceBook posts.
The world is a better place because of J. Michael Fay. He touched so many. The family would welcome written letters and cards from those with memories and stories of Michael to share, in lieu of flowers. Those stories are the best tangible tribute and comfort we could receive. Please mail to Fay Martin, 1166 Horseshoe Lake Road, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0.
Memorial Donations to Places for People would also be appreciated by the family and can be arranged through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be announced later.
J. Michael Fay was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec 18, 1945 and died in Minden, Ontario on June 7, 2020. He was a loved and loving husband, father, brother and son. He will be forever missed by his family: his life partner, Fay Martin, daughter Krissa Fay, step-daughters Heather McLeod (Arno Kalbus) and Kirstie McLeod (Scott Martin); grandchildren Michael P., Bec, Ria, Ben, Maura-Jane, Sam, David, Katie and siblings Kathy, Peggy and John. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Mary-Grace, siblings Mary Anne, Patty and Tim and grand-daughter Ella.
Michael was a force for change, a tireless cheerleader for causes and individuals, a gifted organizer and communicator, committed to social justice through-out his life. Before he left the USA for Toronto in 1970 he was a Volunteer for America in Chicago and dedicated advocate for civil rights, including working on Robert Kennedy’s 1968 campaign. He continued to organize and advocate for social justice in Toronto, spearheading several community organization initiatives and a key part of CommonAct.
In 1975, he moved to Alberta and became a freelance journalist and published author, studied at the Banff School for the Arts and Bread Loaf Writers Conference with W.O Mitchell, Alice Munroe and others. He founded the Alexandra Writers’ Centre and edited the Dandelion. He was twice president of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, and as such negotiated creators’ rights in Canada’s initial agreement to reimburse writers for reproduction of their work (Access Copyright).
He became a health promotion worker with marginalized and immigrant populations in Toronto from 1982 to retirement in 2002 – some of his key accomplishments of this time include the Speak Out! And Count me In! initiatives and the documentary Salud.
In retirement he moved to Minden where he gave leadership for better library services, the Arts Council, Minden Cultural Centre Foundation, and became a playwright. He founded Conjurors of County Town which produced several original plays, his and others, based on local history and performed outdoors. In later years, he returned to writing short-form fiction, a collection of which: Tenderness and other Stories, was recently published. And Michael continued daily efforts to inspire and engage until his very last days through his FaceBook posts.
The world is a better place because of J. Michael Fay. He touched so many. The family would welcome written letters and cards from those with memories and stories of Michael to share, in lieu of flowers. Those stories are the best tangible tribute and comfort we could receive. Please mail to Fay Martin, 1166 Horseshoe Lake Road, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0.
Memorial Donations to Places for People would also be appreciated by the family and can be arranged through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be announced later.