Mike Apsey passed away peacefully in his sleep, September 1, after a lengthy struggle with dementia. Happily, Mike never lost his ability to recognize his beloved wife, Sharon, who was with him the day he passed. Born in Vernon. BC, Mike graduated from the University of British Columbia’s Forestry Department in 1961 and over the next four decades became one of Canada’s most influential and respected forestry professionals. He began his career in the provincial government’s Department of Industrial Development, Trade and Commerce, before being recruited as an analyst for Vancouver based forestry company Macmillan Bloedel. …Returning to B.C. [from Turkey] in 1970, he served as a vice president of the Council of Forest Industries. In 1978, Mike became the Deputy Minister of Forests for British Columbia, a position he held until 1984. Leaving that post, he took on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Forest Industries of B.C, a position he held until his retirement in 1998.
In retirement, Mike remained active, attending numerous speaking engagements and serving on various committees… During this period, with the encouragement and collaboration of Ken Drushka, a distinguished author, Mike published his memoir, titled “What’s All This Got To Do With The Price of 2 X 4’s?” Mike’s dedicated service to BC’s forest services earned him several honours, including the Rielle Thomson Award, the Chevalier de l”Ordre du Merite Agricole from the Government of France, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Government of Canada, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC. In 2002 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.