Michael Slane Fleming

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our dearly beloved Michael, who passed away of a heart attack while harvesting Christmas trees with his crew in the Kootenays. Mike was predeceased by parents Art and Helen Fleming, brother Dennis and Sister Vicki. He is survived by his sister Joan (niece Olivia), sister Elizabeth Munro (Ian and nephew Colin), nieces Angela (Tori) and Moni (John), cousins, his black Labrador Retriever Lucy, valued employees, as well as countless relatives, friends, colleagues and customers.

Mike grew up on a 10-acre farm at Elk Lake and graduated in 1971 from Claremont Secondary School as Student Council President. After high school, Mike graduated from BCIT as a Coastal Log Scaler and worked for 25 years in Haida Gwaii. In 1968 he established Woodstock Evergreens Inc. where he developed a reputation for growing the best Christmas trees in Western Canada. When Mike retired from Log Scaling he became a full time farmer on the Saanich Peninsula. He partnered with sister Joan, creating Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm in 1981, where they grew premium B.C. Christmas trees and quality produce including fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Mike was Past President of the B.C. Christmas Tree Council, a longstanding member and convenor of the Saanich Fair and a proud supporter of the 4H Club.

Mike had a great passion for the outdoors and always looked forward to annual trips with his hunting and fishing buddies. He loved animals of all kinds, and over the years he raised chickens, ducks, pheasants, sheep, pigs, cows, turkeys and even ostriches for 17 years. Mike was a loving, kind and generous man who always gave from the bottom of his heart. He has donated a large Christmas tree to the B.C. Legislature for the last 48 years. His smile, laugh, sense of humor and storytelling will be sorely missed by all he touched over the years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support youth in agriculture at the South Malahat 4H District Council c/o Doug Kong, 1433 Courtland Ave, Victoria, B.C. V9E 2C5.

Family, friends and acquaintances are invited to attend Michael's Celebration of Life which will be held at the Saanich Fair Grounds Main Hall, 1528 Stelly's Cross Road, on November 11th, 2018 at 1:00 pm.

His legacy will live on forever. May he rest in peace.