Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Story of His Life


MICHAEL R. APPLIN

(1947 – 2009)

 

            Surrounded by the “Applin Girls” and sustained by his music and faith, Michael passed away Friday, February 6th, 2009 at the age of 61.  

            Michael was born in Poole, Dorset, England.  His father was from Bere Regis, Dorset, and his mother from Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.  Whilst growing up, he took an active interest in St. George’s Church, Oakdale, where he was a Choirboy and Altar Server.  Later in life, he continued in that vein as a Rector’s Warden.

He was educated at Poole Grammar School, the University of London and was a Sloan Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he earned his Masters in Business Science.  After his first degree in Comparative Animal Physiology (U of L) he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he met the love of his life, Anne-Marie Haig, who was born and raised in Toronto.      

Michael spent over 35 years working as a Management Consultant at Urwick Currie, Coopers & Lybrand, PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM Business Consulting and Oliver Wyman / Mercer Delta.  Whether colleague or client, he developed a strong rapport, great respect and many lifelong friendships, which were so important to him and his family.

            Michael was a remarkable husband; proud father of Stephanie and Kate; and cheeky brother of Lesley (Trevor Clinch) and Heather (Peter Frazer).  

            His passion was infectious, whether for Music (from Bach to Opera to King Crimson), Cooking, Vegetable Gardening, Animals, Cars, Art and Travel … his curiosity knew no bounds!

            Michael will be remembered with great affection by so many friends and family for his penetrating intelligence, brilliant wit, wicked sense of humour, enormous integrity and enthusiasm for life.  He was indeed a true “English Gentleman”. 

Fondly,

4 comments:

  1. LaDawnFebruary 11, 2009

    Written by people who clearly loved and adored him. I'm certain he will never be forgotten. Your family has my family's sympathies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 12, 2009

    This is all so fitting of a great man. He was an inspiration to me at PwC and IBM and one of the best people with whom (and for whom) I have ever worked.

    My thoughts are with you and your family.

    ~Charlie

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownFebruary 12, 2009

    Dear Anne-Marie

    Dave and I were very sad to hear of your husband's passing We were both hoping, along with so many others, that he'd win this battle at long last. Our final meeting with him was at our own family gathering, with you, just a few months ago, where he was just as engaging and interesting to talk to as always. We are thinking of you and send our sincere condolences to you and your family.

    Love,
    Sheryl Trachter Rubenstein

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownFebruary 20, 2009

    Dear Anne Marie

    Having only recently discovered through Heather's patient research of the Applin family tree that I am part of Michael's family, I have been reading his blog and was aware of his progress until the end. I am so sorry that I never had the oppotunity to meet him and his wife and daughters but I am thinking of you and send all the family my love.

    Pam Ward (nee Applin)

    pam@jbward.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

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