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Rick and Michelle Demaiter posted a condolence
Oh Sherry, words cannot express how we are feeling right now. I can't even begin to imagine how you are feeling. Mike was a valued friend from our past and we will remember him fondly. Please accept our sincere sympathy and know that we are thinking of you and Connor. Hopefully there's comfort in knowing your sorrow is shared.
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Cathy Williams posted a condolence
Dear Andie! I am so sorry for the loss of your brother Mike. Although I didn't know Mike as an adult so much....we grew up with him as a youngster on Southcrest Drive....with good happy memories! I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am for you, Mama Hokansson, Mike's wife and child. Please know you will all be in my prayers and thoughts. Thinking of you all with love.... Cath xo
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Bert Graham posted a condolence
Dearest Aunt Audrey; My heart aches for you as I know how dearly held your children are. I know this because I witnessed it first hand - spending most of my pre-teen weekends as your surrogate son with a cousin who was closer to me than a brother. . . Building roads together with our Tonka 'equipment' in the sand box, riding bikes, souping up our Tyco race cars, listening to 'Kiss the Love Gun' and Memorizing 'Bob and Doug Mackenzie's Christmas Album' to be later recorded for our improve radio shows on my Candle cassette recorder in the studio (Mike's bed room). It was the early Saturday mornings of sneaking your Christmas baking out of the freezer while watching cartoons as you slept in; spitting and kicking up the dust and pummeling each other (once in a while). It was 'Chicken Chalet' every birthday and black forest ham, Spanish onion, cheese on a crusty Kaiser wrapped in tinfoil and heated in the oven and of course those special 'dippy egg' and toasty soldier breakfasts with Uncle Eric and who can forget the only hamburger joint in town – Harvey's. Though we grew apart as our lives got busy with families of our own, some of my life's best memories are from those days. Sherry, my prayers are with you. I have no way to comprehend such a loss but please know you are not alone mourning the loss of such a great, fun loving guy. A very special part of Mike (and you) lives on in your fine son Connor. Connor; this is such a tough thing for you to go through. I hope you can find some comfort knowing your dad is at peace and suffers no more. Know also that your dad was very proud of his son - a son who is much like his father. You don't really know me, but your dad was a big part of my younger years – some of which I would like to share with you. Your Grandparents would have a cottage at Ipperwash beach rented every summer for two weeks where Aunt Andrea and dad were allowed to invite a friend to share that time with and I was one of the lucky ones. We always had the eagle eye of your Gran on us – even when we thought she couldn't see us, we would always here from the distant shore "Mike . . . Buddy . . . Too Far! Come in a bit!" as we tried to push our boundaries into the 'deep' water – sometimes even past our waists. Dad had trouble with his 'R's' in his younger years and I remember trying to help him with his pronunciation of words like 'Aunt Barb' and 'wiener'. I was surprised one day while visiting your dad at Gran's to find out that the Hokey's actually lived in 'Berkshire' village because I only knew as kids that we were allowed to ride our bikes just as far as the 'Butcher' side walk. Guess I wasn't the best speech therapist after all. We would drive your grandpa nuts with our loud toys to the point of him taking his side cutters to our "motors" on our BigWheels while we were bombing around your great grandparents' basement at the annual family Christmas. We were bummed out but eventually got to the point of quite enjoying the 'stealth' glide of the bikes as we rode those long trails around the ping pong table - being careful to not whack our heads on it's corners. Speaking of ping pong . . . your dad and I would have all day tournaments with our ever so patient 'Pa'. I remember us lobbing that ball over Pa's head almost every return volley. In the early days it was really just a game of 'ping' as we never seemed to get the 'pong' part of the game down pat. But our Pa never gave up on us; serving the ball to us and fetching it from the ricochet off the laundry sink before it went under the stairs or even worse; behind the curtain where the bear lived (the furnace room). Over time our skills did get better and after a number volleys with Pa, I could always tell when your dad was about to make his move. You knew when it was time to get out of his way when you saw him high up on his tip-toes, tongue out - slightly to one side and his left hand pressed firmly on the table (a complete violation of course) then the ball flattening, killer spike! Before your mom came along, your dad's pride and joy was his school bus yellow Chevy. His baby: a hand-me-down from Gran, a 1969 Malibu coup with a two speed Powerglide transmission – the same car that became our prison as kids if we were too wound up to be in the shopping mall with your Gran . . . I'll never forget the skin searing vinyl seats on those hot summer days. It started out green with a bit of rust that we worked on in the golf course drive shed. We worked away patching up the holes in the floor and the body with new sheet metal one winter. It was quite cold so we rigged up a framework draped with a large tarpaulin as a tent and ran our old electric milk house heater to allow the body filler to set and to keep toasty warm while working. The one thing we failed to read on the Body filler can was that while one was mixing filler with resin and applying it to the car, one should be in a "well ventilated area" however; our tent was sealed up as tight as a drum to keep out the cold as we worked in our T shirts. Our nice smooth, thin layers of body filler began to get a little thicker and wavier as the giggles became downright belly laughs as we innocently became higher than a couple of kites - overcome by the fumes. It wasn't until Uncle John came out with a big smile on his face after hearing the giggles from underneath the tent that we realized we needed some fresh air. After priming her up and no one around meant it was time for a test drive. To a couple 16 year olds, plates and insurance didn't come into the equation. I will never forget the look of freedom on his face as he floored it down the newly opened 402. Though heavy in heart, I am glad to know he now enjoys a freedom and a peace beyond all our understanding. God bless you Mike. Buddy (Bert)
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Carolyn Fleurant (Smith) posted a condolence
Mrs Hokansson, Andy, Sherry and Conner, I am very sorry for your loss. I hope Mike is at peace now. My prayers are with you and your family. -Carolyn
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Donna Nesbitt posted a condolence
Sherry, Connor and Family My deepest sympathy goes to all of you today, your pain is shared and my thoughts are with you xo
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Donna Nesbitt posted a condolence
Sherry, Connor and Family, My deepest sympathy goes to all of you today, your pain is shared and my thoughts are with you xo
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Bev Jones posted a condolence
Sherry, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Connor.
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ed (ted) nesbitt posted a condolence
deeply sorry to here about mike ,prays to you both and the family
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Linda and Jim Bristow posted a condolence
Our deepest sympathy to Mike's wife, son, in-laws and to Audrey, Andrea, Glen, Dayna and Eric on the passing of Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during the sad loss of someone so loved.
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Scott Miller posted a condolence
My deepest condolences Sherry and Connor. I had to priviledge of working with Mike for many years and you could not have asked for a better boss. Mike was always happy and treated everyone as if they were his close friend. He would be the first to ask if you were ok after being sick or if you looked like you were having a bad day and his geniune interest in making sure you were happy at work was his primary concern. He helped me go from appprentice to Lead hand and was always encourging me and telling me good work after completeing new assignments. He was the first guy to stop what he was doing and lend a hand to anyone who neded it. Everyone at Team Truck Centres loved Mike and he will be greatly missed. I will never forget Mike and will be forever greatfull for everything he did for me. May Mike now rest in peace.
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Darren Gallagher and Sara Trudelle posted a condolence
At a time like this it is hard to find the right words. As we sit down to write down some thoughts about such an amazing man, it's hard to narrow down exactly the right story or the right moment that can sum up the feelings and love that we have for Mongo. First and foremost, Sherry, Connor and the rest of the Hokansson family- we are so sorry for your loss. I (Sara) have had the privilege of sharing in Wednesday night date night now for a little over a year and during that time I had the honour of getting to know Mongo. Mongo quickly became my dad away from home, always full of support and kindness, advice and every once in a while a couple shakes of the head. I remember while working on our now infamous wall, we had somewhat of a mascot in our mist. A massive, furry bee had decided to take up residence about 3 inches from our work area. Having a slight (Mongo may describe as severe) fear of bees, I was having an on again off again melt down as Darren tried to convince me he's my friend. Mongo all the while, was giggling that all too familiar giggle in the background as he makes more progress in 5 minutes then we did on our own the entire previous day. As an inauguration of sorts, Darren decides it's a good call to stick his tongue out and share a special moment with this bee, as I stare, mouth on the ground, in shock. As it slowly makes its decent towards his tongue, I lost it and Mongo, at this moment, did too. These quiet little giggles suddenly turn into huge belly laughs as he informs me "You know he would die if that thing actually landed on him". Merciful as always, Mongo, once he regained his composure of course, gave the kill order and once again brought peace to the project. Mongo saved that day, and I will forever be grateful to him for the kindness and thoughtfulness he showed me throughout our friendship. All the time looking out for me and how I'm doing and without fail always trying make everything a little better, a little easier. It's not everyday that we get to meet and enjoy someone to the calibre of Mongo and I just feel lucky to have met him and spent the time I had. Darren on the other hand has had the chance to not only become his subordinate (we all know how that worked out lol)but his best friend, the brother he never had and the pseudo son he never knew he never needed. I think the fact that I'm helping write this letter just goes to show how "two pees in a pod" they really are - Men of few words. Over 15 years there are a million stories and moments that will be relieved for years to come but the most important thing to share is the love and laughter that they shared. When I asked what moment or story he'd like to share, after a few moments Darren looks up and says "His giggle- make sure they remember his laugh". I think that's enough said right there. With all the moments and all the joy, what resonates with Darren, as with all of us, is his love and kind spirit- his smile. That giggle that is nearly silent and almost all shoulder but could make you split a gut that'll wake up the neighbourhood. That's what Mongo left with us. The smile that touches our heart and makes us strive to be better, to do better. The smile that reminds us what's important. Mongo you are missed dearly.
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Val & Jack Collins posted a condolence
Sherry, Connor and family - so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts
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Angie Gregoire posted a condolence
Sherry and Connor, I am so sorry for your loss! Take care of yourselves and try to find peace in knowing that Mike is no longer suffering.
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Pam Watson posted a condolence
Sherry, My deepest sympathy to you and Connor. I hope that all the memories you shared as a family will bring you comfort and peace.
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Bill Bellmore posted a condolence
Dear Sherry and Conner I am terribly sorry for your loss. Mike and I started working together over 26 years ago when we were just kids. We had a lot of laughs and a ton of fun. He was an expert at snapping you with a shop towel , or tie strap and even the occasional heater hose. No matter what he did he would win. We use to race to see who could put half fenders on a truck the fastest and there to he excelled. Make was the afternoon shift supervisor and he had a way of making work seem like fun and because of him we worked more like a team. When he had to stay late to get that truck done we all stayed late to help . Not because we had to but because we cared about each other. There are a lot of memories from our past, one time he was at the house and I could hear him yelling out Bill don't look at the bunny! Sure enough in the other room he and Jim got there hands on my chocolate Easter bunny that my girlfriend had given me and they thought it was solid only to find out it wasn't. What a surprise to find that rabbit in a hundred little pieces at the bottom of the box and those two guys laughing there heads off. Then there was the time way back when I had a get together at my house we all had a great time till the wee hours of the morning. Mike had stayed over and the next day we were shooting baskets with two of the neighbourhood kids and having a riot. These 10 year old boys are grown men now and still laugh about it. Funny I had never heard of full contact basketball before but there to Mike would win. Mike was an extreamly important part of TEAM Truck Centres will be missed by customers and staff alike. He taught a lot of us over the years and we have all learned valuable lessons from him. I am deeply sorry for you loss . Mike was a great guy and was loved by all. He will be sorely missed and always remembered. Bill Bellmore
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Joanne Hall posted a condolence
Sherry, I am so sorry for your loss-my deepest sympathy to you and Connor. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Howard & Gail Baigent posted a condolence
Sherry and Connor we are so sorry to hear about Mike... youre family is in our thoughts and prayer .
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lefty posted a condolence
Sherry and Connor. I"m so sad that you lost Mongo. I hav"nt seen much of you guys since the ride to Dover a few years ago...one of my best memories. just want to say that although 12 yrs Mike's senior ,I have always respected and admired that guy. just wanted you to know that. You hang in there . You are in my thoughts and prayers,and I hope to see you both some time. Lefty.
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Donna,Tania,Rick posted a condolence
Donna,Tania,Rick made a donation to London Regional Cancer Program
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Uncle Bruce and Aunt Val posted a condolence
Uncle Bruce and Aunt Val made a donation to Canadian Cancer Society
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Rick, Terri, Matt, Melissa, Trevor, Abby,Kendra, Oscar and OAKLEYxo posted a condolence
Rick, Terri, Matt, Melissa, Trevor, Abby,Kendra, Oscar and OAKLEYxo made a donation to Canadian Cancer Society
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Dennis & Tammy Graham posted a condolence
Dennis & Tammy Graham made a donation to Canadian Cancer Society
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