STUART, Michael James Thomas - (1975-2009) Mike Stuart, formerly of Port Colborne, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 25th, 2009, at his residence in Banff, Alberta, due to unexpected health problems. Predeceased by his mother, Sue Stroeh, (2005), Mike leaves behind his brothers, Craig Stuart of Toronto, Eric Stroeh of Banff, Alberta, and Kurt Stroeh, at home, and his Step-father, Barry Stroeh, of Port Colborne, as well as his uncle, Thomas Gorman, (Gloria), of Wainfleet, Ontario. Cremation will be taking place and a private family service, arranged by his father, Cameron Stuart, will be held at a later date in Kincardine, Ontario. Passing at age 34, Mike had been on his own for over half his life, having left Port Colborne at age 16 to seek his fortune and fulfill his quest for adventure took him to Western Canada into the mountains to fly down the slopes on his snowboard at Lake Louise, Alberta; Revelstoke B.C., and Golden, B.C. and at his home base of Banff, where, in the winter, he cooked at a well-known steakhouse in the mountains. As soon as the snow was gone, Mike left for the north country of British Columbia, to plant trees, often being airlifted in by helicopter to remote areas and putting in 18 hour days. The work was hard, the food was good, the pay was excellent, and it was just him, the birds, the bees and the bears, as one close call taught him. In Banff, Mike was known for his trademark dreadlock hair-style, his fun-loving charm, his good looks, and indomitable fearlessness on the slopes. He was well-loved by the snowboarding community and will be sadly missed by his many friends in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as by his family in Ontario. Mike's life was an adventure. He was one of the very few of us who had the courage to follow his own path through life from an early age, to do as he wished, to determine his own life-style, to set his own goals and achieve them, to face adversity and setbacks on his own, and triumph over them, while bringing his sense of fun , joy, and the unexpected to all whom he encountered. You never knew what Mike would be up to next, but you knew it would be fun, so you would smile whenever you saw him, and you would be happy you knew him. That was Mike's gift to us, so treasure him in your heart when you think of him. 11713248