Michael Rota

Michael Rota passed away peacefully on Saturday August 9th, 2025, at Eastholme – Home for the Aged.

Born in 1948 and raised in North Bay by his Italian immigrant parents John and Gina Rota.  In 1922, John Rota founded the City Bakery on Worthington St. As a young man, Mike went to work for his father helping to deliver fresh bread to many regions in Northern Ontario. The bakery would remain a vital business for the area for decades to come. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Susan Kirkwood. He is predeceased by his younger brother Aldo who sadly passed in 2022. Michael will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery beside his family.

During his teenage years he attended Scollard Hall and later on became friends with a close-knit group known as “the boys”. This group of lifelong friends still get together annually to reminisce about the good ol’ days. Mike left North Bay around 1966 to pursue his studies of electronics at DeVry Institute.  While living in Toronto Mike married Susan and they lived in North York on Golfdale Rd.  Mike became a Bell technician and later on, a union representative for his fellow workmates.

In 1991 Mike was presented an opportunity to further his career with Bell Canada and accepted a position as a technical supervisor at the N.O.R.A.D. facility in North Bay. Mike was overjoyed at the idea of returning to his beloved hometown to finish his working life. Mike and Susan lived on a lakefront property on Premier Rd. where they enjoyed a community full of friends and neighbours while being surrounded by beautiful nature and stunning sunsets over the shores of Lake Nipissing

Mike retired in the early 2000’s and spent his later years filling his time with many hobbies. He was an avid photographer, cycler and antique collector. He attended many Blues and Jazz Festivals travelling across the province to enjoy the music. Most of all Mike liked spending his time with his furry friends! Over the years his cats Bonnie, Hailey, Ula, Bunty, Minoo and Murphy (who was the neighbour’s cat) held special places in Mike’s heart and meant the world to him.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the loving and compassionate staff at Eastholme – Home for the Aged in Powassan for the incredible care they provided Michael in the last few years of his life. He was treated like family there and loved by all.

Friends and family can pay their final respects at Hillside Funeral Services on Monday August 18th, 2025, between 10:30am – 12:30pm.