August 15, 1963 – August 5, 2025

Michele ( Named for his Italian Grandfather.)

Mike courageously fought cancer for four years knowing there was no cure for him. It had been discovered too late.Mike was in P.R.H. in Palliative care for the last five days of his life, with his loved ones taking turns to be with him at all times. Mike died on August 5th.Mike was pre-deceased by his two sets of grandparents, Uncle Tony A unt Marion, Zio Giovanni, Aunt Janet, Zia Chiarina, ZioVincenzo. And many years ago, a young cousin, Ronnie who sadly died in an accident.

Mike will be lovingly remembered by his family,Ean his beloved wife, his daughter Natasha(Kelsey)stepdaughter Chloe, brothers Tony and Marcus, niece Aleisha (Paul) great-niece Heidi. and Marcus junior, who was Mikes step-grandson, who named Mike, Poppa Mike. His loving parents, Lucio and Patricia Katie Di Iuorio. Many relatives in Italy and England. Mike was especially close to two of his cousins in England; Anna on his fathers side and Julie on his mothers side.

Can not leave out his adored Pomeranian pups Thea and Roxy who adored Mike, and the feeling was mutual, they were a great comfort for Mike; especially in his latter days at home.

(Michele) Mike was born in England in Derby City hospital. He was an incredibly good baby, which was fortunate for his first time parents! When he was three, his parents decided to emigrate to British Columbia, Canada and B.C has always been home to the Di Iuorio family; North Burnaby, Chilliwack and South Okanagan. As a young boy in Chilliwack, Mike joined the Boy Scouts and earned the title of Chief Scout which is the highest award in scouting. Mike was a very talented Artist, in high school his Art teacher visited Mike’s dad and told him Mike should apply to Emily Carr Art school, but for some reason, perhaps not knowing how talented he was, Mike did not want to apply and could not be persuaded. His daughter, Natasha has inherited his artistic talent.

Mike attended Vancouver Vocational Institute studied hair-styling and learned barbering from his father, he was successful, but in his heart he wanted to do more. After he married his first wife Sonya, he decided to join the Navy, which he enjoyed, the Navy gave him self confidence in his abilities, especially in mathematics. In due course, he left the Navy, he returned for a while to barbering in Oliver, where he was known for cutting hair with the Canucks logo on the back of the head! His real ambition was to become an educator, a teacher. He applied to S.F.U and earned his degree. The first and only one to attend university in his family.
Mike had experienced difficult times in elementary and high school, and vowed to be a more kind and empathetic teacher. And he was. Mike’s first marriage hadn’t worked out, and after working in the north, Mike went to England to teach, and following that, Dubai, where he met Ean and they were married. While they were in Dubai, his parents went to visit them and had a wonderful holiday with the hope to return one day, then COVID hit, and the world was changed. Mike, and Ean, whose profession had been, a contracts Executive acquiring contracts with hotels worldwide, now found themselves at risk of losing their jobs.

Mike returned home to Oliver, Ean to her home on Batanes Island until eventually the visa’s for herself and her only daughter Chloe arrived. Mike and Ean had plans for new adventures, but shortly after arriving back in Canada, Mike found out that he had a cancer that had progressed too far to be cured. Mike continued to work in the barber shop along with his brother, but eventually he was too weak to continue. Mike underwent treatments to slow the process of the cancer and needless to say it was an unpleasant experience.
Mike still worked on his vehicles restoring them. He loved old vehicles, hockey, travelling, camping, debating with friends & family, movies and science fiction, especially the old Star Trek and of course Star Wars. Mike was a huge Canuck’s fan and enjoyed watching the games! We will always remember Mike for his kindness, being a dreamer and caring for people. Mike had a kind selfless heart. He wanted people to be happy, and then he was happy. Mike really cared for others.

Thank you to Bev and Sonya, for the loving support during Mike’s fight with cancer. Thank you to Mike’s friends, he had known some of them them for years. From Lorne who was his buddy when the family were living in North Burnaby, and Simon and Hayden, to his adult friends, Mark Joseph, Sid ,Cam and Colin, can not recall all the names, but you know who you are. And thank you to the wonderful nurses in PRH, we are blessed to have such caring people in the nursing profession.

Our dear Michele, you are in our hearts, we love and miss you, you will never be forgotten. This world is poorer without you in it.

No service at Michele’s request. Family gathered together, on what would have been his sixty second birthday.

Donations in Michele’s memory, to a charity of your choice.