Firth, James “Michael”

James Michael Kevin Firth (aka Michael) was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick on December 31, 1948, and for 75 years his birthday was celebrated by the whole world. An RCAF Air Force brat, Michael traveled extensively with his parents Jimmy and Norah Firth and brother Damian. He spent his high school years in Zweibrucken, Germany where he discovered his love of music and great gift for playing guitar. Along with other likeminded “brats”, he formed a rock band called The Shapes of Things and played at various halls and clubs throughout the area. After returning to Canada, he lived in Ottawa where he played in bands in Ottawa and Hull and later in a touring show band called the Irish Newcomers. He met Carol, the love of his life, while playing at the Campbell Street Station in Sarnia on September 28, 1977, and that was IT!! They were together for almost 47 years and had just celebrated their 45th anniversary on May 18th . After receiving a devastating diagnosis of Glioblastoma (an aggressive form of brain cancer) on March 22, 2024, Michael made the brave choice to opt for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Just four months later, on July 22, Michael passed peacefully at home in Sarnia surrounded by his closest friends and family – and the music he loved. Michael is survived by his loving wife Carol and daughter Stacey Kinley and her husband Sean Kinley and grandchildren Cole and Vivienne Kinley. He will always be remembered as a kind and generous man, a mentor to many, intelligent and articulate and a guitarist with a golden touch. Remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family online in “Michael’s Guestbook” at mccormackfuneralhomesarnia.com. A celebration of Michael’s life will be held in the coming weeks. Donations in his honour can be made to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research: www.
donate.sunnybrook.ca/gord .