For more than 15 years McCauley has been the place where Mike Siek wanted to be. “McCauley is my small town,” he says. “If I go out on the street, I see at least one person I know. I chose this community in 2008, in part for budgetary reasons, but also because it is closer to the action and more community-oriented than other places I have lived.”

And Mike has lived in more than a few places. “I am not a huge plan maker,” he says. “I am more of a leaf on the wind, just following my heart.”

This past May, the time came for Mike to move on once again. In a post on Facebook, he wrote, “This will be my last summer in Alberta. I have such a great community (deep roots) here in Edmonton, and I will miss you all more than even I can imagine, but it’s time for a new chapter! I will be heading to New Brunswick to be closer to my siblings and extended family, and to help my folks live in their beautiful home as long as possible, as they get close to 80!”

Many people know Mike through his work roles. At the time of writing this article, he was a community developer at e4c. Before that, he was a recreation facilitator at Boyle Street Community Services. He has also been the production manager for the late Vue Weekly newspaper. Mike’s versatility and flexibility is evident in that he began his work life as an auto mechanic.

Others know Mike as a musician. He plays guitar and has been a member of several Edmonton bands, most recently Funk Cove. “I have been playing guitar from the age of 12 or so,” Mike says. “I got to love it and started to become connected with the music folks. I have been doing live shows in various bands since my early 20s.”

Perhaps the place where most have met (or witnessed) Mike is in his volunteer roles. He has been the production manager and president of the annual Heart of the City music and arts festival. He has done communications for the McCauley Community League. His other volunteer involvements have included McCauley Revitalization, Friends of Church Street, and the board of Boyle McCauley News. Mike is also everywhere that a community event is happening, quietly helping to move tables, rescue falling lanterns at the CO*LAB Spring Lantern Parade, putting away chairs after a meeting, and doing anything that needs doing. 

The operative word in the previous sentence is “quietly.” When being interviewed for this article, this humble guy says, “I am not all that big on talking about myself.”

The last word goes to Colleen Chapman, a neighbour, friend, and fan: “I hope the fact that there are so many of us who will miss him touches his heart! He deserves to know how very special he is.”

Anita Jenkins is a retired writer and editor who lives in Boyle Street.