Honored by his sister, Karen Holmes
I have literally “grown” up with Mike, but we have also been friends and colleagues. A rich way to go through life, with your brother.
William Michael Holmes, (Mike) was born on December 21, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in North Bay, Ontario, to parents, Vic and Agnes Holmes. Mike is the third of five children and his other siblings are David, Lisa, and Gerard, who reside in Southern Ontario.
Mike attended St. Alexander’s Primary and Mother Saint Bride’s Elementary (where he was president of Student Council) schools in North Bay, before heading to Scollard Hall Secondary, for three years of academics and basketball. Mike’s parents offered him the opportunity to study grade 12 and 13 at Regina Mundi College in London, Ontario, and he took it. While away, he passed the Real Estate Licensing exams and worked for his father at Vic Holmes Real Estate Ltd. during summers. In 1976, in his final year of university, he married his high school sweetheart, Michelle Currie of London. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario. They then headed back to North Bay, where Mike went to work with his Dad, this time, on a full time basis. This was always his plan.
Like his parents before him, Mike and Michelle felt that North Bay was the best place to raise a family. They have two children, Kelly and Bill, who now reside in Toronto and B.C. respectively, but make frequent visits home to get their dose of northern air and to re-visit their roots.
Mike took well to real estate early on and became a Broker in 1979 and eventually a top producer. He served on copious industry committees as well as becoming the President of the North Bay Real Estate Board in 1983. In 1986, he took over his Dad’s company with his business partner, Norm Pellerin, to form Holmes and Pellerin Real Estate Ltd. Holmes and Pellerin soon became synonymous with the ‘go- to’ name in real estate and they enjoyed much success. Mike was named number 1 sales representative for 11 consecutive years, 2000-2011. After earning an enviable reputation and being proudly known as one of the last independent brokerages in the city, Mike and Norm decided to move in a new direction and work as independent sales brokers for Royal LePage North Bay Services, Brokerage in January of 2012. This would enable them to spend more time concentrating only on servicing their clients. Mike also continues to contribute to the Ontario Real Estate Association by sitting on committees and working to implement changes within the industry.
Over the years, Mike has tirelessly been an integral part of North Bay’s fundraising fabric and sponsor to many local initiatives. Also, he was instrumental, on a local level, in Mike Harris’ election campaign which eventually led Harris to his position as Premier of Ontario. Mike has personally worked on behalf of many charitable organizations, but particularly, Rotary, The Ontario Wellness/Pain Control Organization, and Nipissing Association for Disabled Youth.- NADY. He is also a Director of the Performance Boat Club of Canada which holds an annual Poker Run in North Bay on Lake Nipissing, in support of NADY and has raised over $40,000 to date. Mike’s own catamaran is well known as, “Keep N Busy “. An apt description of both the boat and the man.
Mike’s strong work ethic, integrity, sense of humour, kindness and compassion towards others has consistently shone through the stream of his life, both personally and professionally. Those who know him well can attest to this. He has contributed to North Bay in a tangible way, giving back to the city that has given him and his family so much.
As usual, in all facets of his life, Mike continues to be a man who’s “Keep N Busy”.