Se souvenir de Mike Moran - Lives Lived dans le Globe and Mail (en anglais) 4 janvier 2007
Tiré du Globe and Mail, 4 janvier, 2007 par Mary Moran
Michael Charles Patrick Moran
Husband, son, brother, teacher, businessman, artist, runner, skier, cyclist, adventurer. Born Sept. 12, 1958, in Toronto. Died Sept. 30, 2006, of cancer in Barrie, Ont., aged 48.
As far back as 1970, I can remember sitting in my 12-year-old brother Michael's bedroom wondering why he had a paperback book sitting on his shelf that seemed to be written for grown ups. The well-worn and well-read book, titled Winners Never Quit, lived in my brother's room for years to come.
From a very young age until his very last breath in life, Mike (who was two years my senior, a twin and the youngest -- by 15 minutes -- of my four older brothers) astonished me with his dogged approach to life. Winners Never Quit was his mantra to live, and as it turned out, to die by.
Mike had many accomplishments in his 48 years. At the age of 10 he won a half marathon, running it in one hour and 48 minutes. That same summer, he went on to run the Toronto Police Marathon where he held the title (and may still do) as the youngest finisher. He completed the race in approximately five hours in the heat of August, with a police escort, to crowds of disbelieving onlookers cheering him into the CNE stadium.
By the time Mike turned 23, inspired by the tragic death of our second-eldest brother, he chased his dream that he mapped out on the walls of our basement. He rode his custom-made 10-speed bike around North America, riding 15,500 miles in 15 months -- solo.
Mike continued to have many accomplishments in his adult life. To mention a few, he achieved his Level 4 in Nordic Ski Instructor designation, became technical ski adviser, was a part-time teacher at Seneca College, partnered with his wife in a successful outdoor adventure store, and turned into a competitive adventure racer. Unbeknownst to Mike, he inspired, encouraged, and educated most everyone he met during his remarkable life.
When Mike fell sick in March 2006, it shocked our family and the many people he came to know through his adventures. Doctors and nurses alike could not believe Mike's will to live. He took on his illness like every other challenge in his life -- with steadfast determination. In spite of his best effort to fight his disease, sadly, it soon became clear that he would not win this battle. When Mike faced this harsh reality in the middle of September, he accepted it and insisted on having a party at the hospital the day before he died so people would remember him in a happy atmosphere. He spent the last few pain-filled hours of his life ensuring, he said, the perfect thing to make the hundreds of people that came to visit him feel better. Mike lived his life valiantly and to the fullest even in his final days.
Before he passed on the morning of Sept. 30, he asked us to have a celebration of his life rather than a funeral. Held at one of his favourite golf courses, in a room with a 270-degree view of the spectacular fall colours, more than 600 people came. But unlike a traditional funeral, people did not weep and whisper. They studied the picture-boards of Mike's life, told stories of his adventures, read heartfelt poems and articles and sang cheerful songs in his honour. People walked away not sad for Mike's passing but grateful they knew Mike during his incredibly short time on earth.
For me, watching Mike during this challenging last six months was analogous to the many times I stood on the side of the road or track cheering my lifelong hero on as he ran a race. In spite of the horrific pain he endured, he never ever quit. He is, and will always be, a winner.
Mary est la soeur de Michael.
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