Michael William Rintamaki

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Michael William Rintamaki on January 5, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia with Carole, his loving wife of 53 years, and daughter Melanie by his side.

Michael was born in South Porcupine Ontario on August 1, 1950 and spent his childhood years as part of a large tight knit family full of life and love with his Mom, Dad and adored siblings Susan, Debbie, Marie, Tracey and Jeffrey.  While growing up he spent many wonderful summers on his Grandma’s farm helping with chores and in his free time he was able to wander the fields and fish to his heart’s content with his lifelong friend Murray Clark.  

In 1970 he met the love of his life Carole while both were in nursing school.  With his movie star looks and infectious smile, she was smitten from the get go and they were married in 1971.  This union led to their only child Melanie who immediately became the light of his life, bringing her everywhere with him and enjoying many days pursuing the big walleyes on the many lakes of Northern Ontario together. 

In 1975 the family relocated to Thunder Bay where he took up the position of Parts Manager at Superior Trailers where he worked for 37 years until retirement. He enjoyed his job and loved all of the good friends he made there and all of the great laughs that they shared. During this time, they spent many wonderful weekends at their camp on Wild Goose Lake.  He knew that lake like the back of his hand and became the go to person to ask where they were biting and he was always gracious in his knowledge and loved to chat.  You could always find him at the fish house meticulously cleaning his catch of the day while looking forward to the coming fish fry.  Mike and Carole loved dogs and over the course of 40 years enjoyed the love of Lady, Bailey, Nelly and Bella. 

Upon retirement, they decided to relocate to the small town of Red Rock on the shores of gorgeous Lake Superior where Mike was able to enjoy the small-town life once again.  You could see him early every morning walking the streets with Bella his friendly golden retriever and chatting to all the great friends he made while living there.  An attendee at the local cribbage, bowling and bingo games, Mike loved to socialize and as someone who loved to help, Mike always gave his time and effort to whoever needed it.  Unfortunately, Mike was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2018 and began to struggle.  Although he was brave in his fight, the disease progressed and in 2020 he and Carole moved to Calgary to be closer to Melanie and their son-in-law Michael.

Even through the pain of his illness, he was always the loving husband and father, fighting it with everything he had, still going for family walks, helping out wherever he could and enjoying classic car shows. He made the most of a painful situation and was always trying to make everyone around him laugh. He faced every challenge with good cheer and grace and never uttered any complaints right to the very end.   

Mike will be missed forever, not only by his immediate family but by his sisters, Susan, Debbie, Tracey(Drew), brother Jeff (Maureen), brother-in-law Serge (Reina), sister-in-law Danielle (Tom) and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of the companions and caregivers at the Bethany Care Centre in Cochrane Alberta for the loving, kind and gentle care they provided Mike through his difficult journey. You became our family and we will never forget you.  A private service will be held.  In lieu of flowers a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated.