Jo-Anne and Mike Gauthier were married for 38 years and raised two daughters together.
Mike Gauthier will be remembered for all he did to help people with disabilities, according to his wife Jo-Anne. But he will also be remembered by friends and family for his positive attitude, his fun-loving nature and for accomplishing his dreams.
Mike passed away recently from cancer at the age of 68. He is remembered for his decades as a member of BC People First, where he also served as President.
When asked about his advocacy, Jo-Anne talks about the years they lived in Cranbrook. During that time, the local police station did not have a wheelchair ramp, something that bothered Mike. He was told there was nothing that could be done, but he and Jo-Anne worked with the mayor and fought for it and got a ramp installed.
They went on to fight for a wheelchair lift to be installed at City Hall so people with disabilities could attend council meetings. They also got automated doors installed at the local mall. He was proud of what he did, says Jo-Anne, and he was proud to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities as a member of BC People First.
Mike was also proud of his daughters and his wife. He was born with cerebral palsy but didn’t let that keep him from living life to the fullest. He had several jobs he loved in Cranbrook, including fighting wildfires. He and Jo-Anne bought a home and raised two beloved daughters, Sylvia and Christal. He was a skilled woodworker who made wolves, eagles and bears that he sold far and wide.
The one time he would get upset, said Jo-Anne, was when he encountered people who didn’t think people with disabilities should be married or have kids. It was a barrier he and Jo-Anne encountered throughout their lives, but he would not let it get him down.
“Mike always said ‘I’m proud of my kids, and I have a beautiful wife’,” said Jo-Anne. “We were married 38 years. For people who were not supposed to be married, have kids and a house, we did pretty good!”