Michael John Miskow
March 2, 1944 - January 2, 2024
Michael (Mike) Miskow, fondly known as the Polish Prince, was born in Canmore to father Joseph Miskow, from Poland and his adored mother Anne (Kardash) Miskow from Edmonton.
Shortly after finishing high school in Canmore, Mike moved to Banff to find work. He was a local to Banff for his remaining 60 years showing his colourful personality to all in the Bow Valley each and every day. Mike was an incredible endurance athlete most well known for being active in the road/mountain biking, golfing, cross country skiing and downhill skiing communities. As well, Mike was always one of the first to seek out the frozen lakes for ice skating. His love for being outdoors was unmatched. He would entertain, smile and coach anyone who shared the same admiration for what our mountains had to offer. He would often say, “hills are your friends, the bigger the hill, the better the friend”.
In his early years, you would find him working at the old King Eddy and Joshua’s pub to his later years tuning skis for Snowtip Bac-Trax. Working just enough so he could wake up early for the next mountain adventure.
Although Mike was an only child with a small amount of direct family connections, he adopted the Wilson/Allan family. Being a Manny to Laurel, Malcolm and Reid in support of Trudy was a loving highlight of his life which he would always say was the best job he ever had. Love and appreciation from the Wilson/Allan family for Mike was more than reciprocal. He will be forever in their hearts.
For those who knew Miskow, most would agree that he had the biggest and warmest heart in all of the Bow Valley. He touched the hearts of many and because of this he was fortunate to have immense support through his network of friends in his last few years. Thank you to all those who helped care for him - the doctors and nurses in the Mineral Springs and Canmore hospitals, Bow Valley Home Care, the Cascade House and Bow River Lodge SL4 Unit.
Although it was Mike’s wish that there be no Celebration of Life, friends are planning an outdoor gathering to honour our good friend at a later date, TBD.
