Michael Pringle

Pringle, Michael

Mike was born in Malaysia to Dr. Leonard Pringle and Elsie (Thorp-Monks), RN. His father was a physician in southeast Asia, and they settled in Hong Kong after Seremban, Singapore and Kowloon. At the start of WWII, Leonard stayed behind to care for patients and spent the war in Stanley Internment Camp while Elsie and her two sons sought refuge in Australia. Mike schooled at Shore in Sydney where he gained that Aussie lilt in his voice, got caned once, then graduated as an engineer from Cambridge where he was swept off his feet by Jo. He was a 2nd Lieutenant with the British Corps of Royal Engineers protecting the Suez in the early 1950s. He did surveying from BC to Manitoba, and picked cherries in the orchards south of Pearson in Toronto. In 1960 he married Jo (Wilderspin) and later began working for Atomic Energy of Canada in Ottawa. More work travel than he wished, he switched to a job in the civil service until he retired and became a grandfather. He and Jo were tireless volunteers for Nakkertok Ski Club and the Rideau Canoe Club. They drove to nearly all the regattas, even in Nova Scotia, and were easily heard cheering from shore. He loved walks in the Gatineau and along the Ottawa River, often teaching the kids about local history and geology while skipping stones into the water. At times prickly as his prized blackberries, he was unreserved in love and devotion to wife Jo, daughters Fiona and Gail, and treasured grandchildren Joseph, Sarah and Joshua. A gentleman to the end, he enjoyed a sip of Pol Roger on his recent 60th wedding anniversary with Jo. After giving the last of his heart out to family he passed away gently on the morning of April 1, 2020 at the age of 88. Frugal, resourceful and punny, he probably chose that day to get a full month's extra pension. He is predeceased by his brother Roger.   A donation in Michael’s memory can be made to the Dementia Society.  Condolences, tributes and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com