Birth date: Mar 24, 1973 Death date: Jun 26, 2014
Michael John Rivard, age 41, of Remus, passed away suddenly, June 26, 2014 at his home. A funeral mass will be held in his honor Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Remus, at 11:00am with Fr. Aaron Ferris as c Read Obituary
I had the pleasure of meeting mike through my parents when we were camping at school section lake campground a few years back. He was so funny and kind that we bonded instantly. Even though we all lost touch over the years I will never ever forget mike and the many memories we all shared. Sending my condolences to the Heidi, Matthew, and the rest of the Rivard family during this difficult time.
We are so sorry for the loss your family is suffering. You are all in our thoughts and prayers
So sorry to hear of Michael's passing. I'll be praying for the family.
About Michael John Rivard….
As most of you know, Michael had a heart big enough for everyone in this room; and for many more that are not here; and there was still room for those he had not yet met. He was a devoted father; husband, brother, uncle, son, parishioner and volunteer. He would help anyone in need. For example, he helped his sister, Beth, throughout every step of her life by being a pillar of support, a best friend and confidant, a father figure to her son, Shae, a smile or laugh on a sad day, a handyman when she needed help with home repairs and in many other countless ways…there’s just too many to mention.
For example, he helped some strangers whose car broke down in front of his house on a hot summer day, by offering them a cool seat in the shade and a cold beverage while they awaited assistance. He helped a friend in need of a place to stay a room in his home. He helped the community by making signs for worthwhile community events. He helped his son’s teacher by regularly volunteering in the classroom and always bringing laughs and smiles to everyone’s faces. He helped the Church by volunteering his time to parish functions. The times he helped others are innumerable, and the impact of his life immeasurable.
Michael was a fun person to be around and always made everyone feel good…everyone liked him. He never had any enemies. He always cheered up anyone with a long face, even if it was an inappropriate comment for his environment. It didn’t matter, as long as it made them smile and feel better.
His family meant the world to him, and he protected it with all he had. Michael loved his son, Matthew, more than anyone else and felt blessed to be able to work at home so he could spend as much time with him as possible. He loved and cherished his wife and felt she was a saint through all the trials and tribulations of their life and thought she was a good mother to their son. He felt so blessed to have her. He loved his nephew, Shae, just like a son and always worked to be a big, important part of his life and to teach him how to be a man. As a result, Shae has inherited his big heart. He loved his parents, grandparents and his Aunt Ruth and inherited many of their good traits. He loved his sister, Beth, and always put her on a pedestal and would do anything for her and never asked for anything in return. She did not take this for granted and will always be indebted to him.
Michael knew he was good at sign making and proud his home-based business was thriving. He loved having the little extras to, like his toys, which we all know he loved to talk about! His Jeep was his latest project vehicle and it is very cool looking…he’d want you to know that!
We’ve all heard him speak about his son, wife, family and his happiness with life. Michael looked forward to the future and the many milestones with his son and family. He said that when he was younger, he never imagined that his adult life would ever be this good. He said he had everything he ever wanted in his life...his life was whole.
At times like this, we may have questions about our faith and the afterlife. We need to remember that God has a place in heaven for all his children. And he has a very special place for people like Michael who were suffering from an invisible illness. Those few and brief moments of irrational behavior caused by his illness are not what define people like Michael. Michael was who we all knew him to be; loving, generous, funny, kind and ambitious. How many of us can honestly say that we would open our home to stranger in need? Michael would because he was a better person that most of us. And God had reserved a special place just for him in Heaven…he wants you all to know that.
Published by his sister, Beth, with loving memories and a very heavy heart.
