Spontaneous, Generous, Caring & Comical are all words commonly used to describe our friend Mike Kuipers. Mike died by suicide, just over 1 year ago. Now when you think about the words used above to describe him, you would NEVER think that suicide would ever be something on his mind. Mike was truly the life of every room and party he went to. He had the ability to talk to anyone, from kids to seniors, an Oil Rig worker to a CEO. He loved to chat with strangers, and dance the night away anywhere and everywhere he went. He was the last person that 99% of the people who met him would think was struggling inside, as he kept that to his closest few confidants and kept on being the life of every party. Sadly he was struggling more than he would let anyone know. He knew he needed help with his mental health, but chose the path of keeping it largely to himself instead of putting himself in what is sadly often considered a vulnerable position in society. Mike is sorely missed by so many, and I know he would want those he left behind to help as many people as possible to overcome the mental health stigma and receive the help they need.

There’s no doubt that Mike regrets the decision he made that one lonely night. Which is why the significance of having a helping hand to reach out to and get the proper guidance that CAMH provides, is paramount to anyone suffering from Mental Health Issues. This is the reason his friends will continue to support mental health initiatives for the rest of their lives and commit to being more open to communicate and allowing ourselves to be more vulnerable to our friends and family, about the struggles we often go through in life.

The saying “ Mike would have wanted this “ will forever be said in our friend group.

Dick Kloss was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He was also a loved and respected foster father, coach and mentor to many other youth who will cherish their memories with Dick and Bert. Dick was an extremely hard worker and entrepreneur having numerous jobs and businesses over the years. He considered himself a “Jack-of-all-trades” and a master of none and believed if he couldn’t do it, it couldn’t be done (or didn’t need to be done). He was the definition of independence, determination and integrity, and he taught those values to his own children as well as over 150 foster children who lived with Dick and his wife Bert in their Group Home in Brucefield between 1977 and 1989. Dick and Bert always gave back to their community and in particular to young people. In Granton from 1964 -1975 Dick was a Boy Scout Leader and a volunteer Firefighter. In Huron County he was a member of the Lion’s Club and of the Kinsmen. Dick was a Boy Scout Leader and a volunteer Firefighter. In Huron County he was a member of the Lion’s Club and of the Kinsmen. Dick also influenced many young people in Huron County in the sport of Marathon Canoe Racing as a coach and mentor. Having 4 significant places in Ontario to call home over the years as well as their winter home in Orange Springs Florida for 25 years, they created many great friendships and memories along the way. In 1991, at age 50, Dick completed a personal goal of swimming non-stop, over 42 miles across Lake Huron. The swim took 36 hours during which he endured extreme conditions including waves as high as 12 feet, but Dick would never quit anything he started. From age 51 to age 72 Dick also completed the Michigan race of 120 miles non-stop, a total of 11 times having 3 consecutive wins in the Seniors division and earning an “Iron Paddler” award in 2013. Despite his failing memory in the last few years of his life due to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, those great relationships and experiences were never forgotten. Dick passed away in October of 2021 at age 80.