(Pieter) Michael Salentyn, February 27, 1983 - April 11, 2006
How do we go on? How?
 Our precious first-born child, our only and loving son, our pride and joy, and our sweet daughter Bianca's big protective brother, her best friend, her confidant and her soul mate. Our Michael was taken away from us in the middle of the night on April 11, 2006. He had just turned twenty-three years old in February. He was responsibly walking home from a house-party with two of the many friends with whom he had celebrated his final day of one of the most rigorous and demanding programs at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. He had successfully completed his Bachelor's degree of Management and Organizational Studies, specializing in the Commercial Aviation Management Program. He had already received his Integrated Commercial Pilot Licence, Multi Engine Rating and Group 1 Instrument rating, in accordance with Transport Canada. Dr. Keith Fleming, the director of Western's Aviation program said that “Michael was a highly accomplished student who excelled in his rigorous program that requires students to carry a full academic load and complete flight training to the specifications and satisfaction of Transport Canada.”
We are overwhelmed and paralyzed by grief and pain. How could we even start to describe our Michael's wonderful character and spirit? One of our reactions to our unbearable loss was that we set up a special award at his university, where he had been so very happy for the last four years of his life. On March 31st, 2007 the first annual P. Michael Salentyn Memorial Award was awarded to fine young man who was a full-time undergraduate student in his final year of a Major in Commercial Aviation Management, enrolled in the UWO Integrated Commercial Pilot License flight training option of the Aubrey Dan Program in Management and Organizational Studies like Michael had been. We were informed by the director of the program, Dr. Keith Fleming, the faculty members at the University, and the training staff at Empire Aviation that the recipient of the award had to remind them of Michael's work ethic, team spirit, preparedness, enthusiasm, and incredibly positive attitude. Michael was known for his qualities of leadership, congeniality, generosity in mentoring fellow aviation students, and commitment to excellence in aviation training. Michael's award was established by memorial donations from his family and friends through Foundation Western and continues to grow so that every year we will be able to proudly present a deserving student with Michael's award.
 During the summer holidays, we were happy that Michael would come to live at home in Grand Bend (Ontario) to be re-hired by Pinery Provincial Park in their Maintenance Department. He worked every weekend and on his two days off during the week, he would be back in London at the airport, completing more flight training. Michael didn't mind that he had not had any holidays for four years and he made the best of his “free” time. He often organized Monday's “local's night” out in Grand Bend (which is a resort town) from our screened-in porch of our home. Eight to ten young people would come, decide who would be the D.D or decide to walk home or to “cab it.” Not one of those responsible young men and women would have ever thought to go out and party with friends and then get behind the wheel of a car. Michael's Pinery co-workers, in agreement with management at Pinery Park, created a memorial plaque in Michael's honour. It hangs in the beautiful Visitor's Centre at the park. For the next twenty-five years a student who shows the same exemplary leadership as their “Maintenance Mike” did, will be chosen by his/her peers.
 Our hearts bleed continuously. Michael called me one night at the beginning of his last year at Western…“Mom, I've taken an elective on “Death.” I shuddered a little and asked him why he had chosen to do that. I should have known the answer of our sensitive and passionate son. Even though Michael had only been eleven years old, he still clearly remembered my grief when I lost my best friend and sister Gonnie to ovarian cancer in 1994. I lost my dad to cancer in 2002. My sister-in-law Janine, my niece Joerika and my own mother, all died, within five weeks in the spring of 2004. I now so often wonder how Michael managed that he did not defer any of his exams during those emotional and devastating weeks. He was so strong and so dedicated. Then, as though we had not suffered enough grief, my brother Bill died of complications of leukemia in August of 2005. We lost five beloved family members within three years. “I want to get an understanding of what we have been through as a family and I want to be able to help our family if another tragedy happens.” was Michael's answer to my question. How we all need him now, so very much.
We need his humour, his laughter, his quiet intelligence, his love and his strength. Bianca needs her loving and caring brother who told her not to ever worry about life because he would always be there to love and protect her, until a reckless hit and run driver took our Michael from us.
  
Michael's friends and family members lovingly set up Michael's website:
www.mike.salentyn.com
We thank you and we weep with you; Jack, Carrie and Bianca Salentijn.
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