Petawawa

Mike Gulliver

Let’s welcome our neighbour, Mike Gulliver.

Hi, Mike! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello, I’m Mike Gulliver. I guess I’m what you call a valley import. My wife (Janet) is from the valley, and we first moved here in 1986. At first, I didn’t see the appeal. I wanted to see more, be more, climb the corporate ladder, etc.

A short eleven years later, and I was ready, and the appeal became very apparent. It wasn’t easy at first, but it became the place for my wife (Janet) and me to raise our three girls, and we have felt so blessed to be able to do so.

I have always taken steps to try and describe myself by actions and positions rather than those of my career employment. Basically, it always frustrated me when people would ask what you do. It is not asking who you are.

I’ve always been a person with vision and have sometimes been overzealous. I have tried to bring folks together to accomplish things that couldn’t be done individually. I am a former President of the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce, former Kiwanian, current band member of GATE47, Managing Director of Funny in A Good Way, Treasurer of the local Clergy Association, and a member of St Luke’s Anglican Church. In 1999, I became a Christian; before that, I would have considered myself an agnostic with a seasonal leaning towards Christianity.

Much of my youth was spent on the shores of Lake Nipissing in the North Bay area, so I love boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, etc.

I also had the pleasure of working with my father at his service station and later within the standardbred horse industry. At one point, I thought that my career might be in the horse industry. God had different plans, and I believe He knew best.

So basically, I am a child of God, a husband, a father, and a poppa to nine grandchildren. I enjoy clean humour, many types of music, some light travel, and anything around water and nature.

For those wanting to know what my career was…I guess you could say I was a “banker” as I spent 37 years in the financial services industry. The industry was good to me, and I think I did some good while I was there.

What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

I don’t know if it is the funniest thing, but there definitely was a trend to me having “wardrobe malfunctions.” I was once at a fancy Christmas party for work, and I ripped the seat right out of my suit pants. Needless to say, I wore my suit jacket for the rest of the night.

Recently, I was at a dinner and had something swing right over my head and hit me square in the forehead. Not realizing what had happened, I hastily turned around, looking for someone who thought they were being funny. Alas, to my surprise, the issue was brought on by my suspenders losing their grip on the back of my pants. The pressure was too much for the clip to endure. Bang, the metal clip was launched with appropriate force to swing around over my head and pick my forehead as the spot to penetrate.

Of course, you also don’t live on the lake and enjoy water sports without a few incidents of accidentally showing more of your posterior than should be. It happens.

Do you have any phobias? What are they?

I have a very strong dislike for rats! I blame it on the movie Ben that came out in 1972. Put simply, I was way too young to see that movie when it came out, and it scarred me for life…. Other than that, I have experienced claustrophobia when I was in a crowd of some 70,000 people, and I kind of lost it. That is a hard “not doing that again” from me.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

In my younger years, I was always inclined to want to go to Australia. So different there. So many unique things and animals. Now, I’m taming that down a little and Jan and I have recently discussed the fact that we need to visit more of Canada. Canada has so much to offer and so much beauty. Next year, we’re working on a trip out east to finish off the eastern provinces. Then it will likely be some place a little further north.

If you had to become a breakfast cereal, which one would you choose and why?

The first thing that comes to mind on this one is Captain Crunch. I’m always a kind of “leader,” as it is my personality. Sometimes I get it wrong, but the enthusiasm and the passion are there. I’m not always doing things that are healthy, but at the heart of it, I’m a sweet guy. Apparently, they haven’t outlawed Captain Crunch, yet.

What actor/actress did you have a crush on as a kid?

I was a Cheryl Ladd fan. I’ve confessed this to my wife, so we’re good.

Do you own a piece of clothing that no longer fits, but you can’t seem to part with it? Why?

I own many pieces of clothing that no longer fit. As to why I don’t part with it, I would say there are two reasons:

1) I can dream about fitting back into it.

2) Sorting through my closet to throw things out is not how I choose to spend my time. There are so many other things to do.

Are you a cat or a dog person? Why?

Dog, dog, dog, dog, dog, always a dog! Why, you say? Basically, I think they reciprocate love much more than a cat does. At least it is my experience. Don’t hate me, we’re all allowed our opinions.

What is your most useless talent?

I can’t say that it was necessarily a talent, but it was something that I always thought was cool, so I decided to try it. Quite a few years ago, in the early 2000’s, I had the opportunity to do a fire walk. Yep, me and about 30′ of hot coals. The physical talent that is required to do a fire walk is certainly not something that is earth-shattering, but the mindset and the determination, commitment, focus…. and a little bit of crazy represent some attributes that served me well.

You’ve just won the lottery. What will you do with your windfall?

I’m assuming that we’re talking big time money here. My children would get a little to help them, but most of it would go towards programs that can help those who don’t even have the basics of life. My involvement with Kiwanis and Funny in a Good Way, and other initiatives, has seen us be able to help a little, but the need is great, so being able to set up a format for a lasting impact would be amazing.

I’m only human, so I might also buy another guitar and a sewing machine for my wife.

If you could hang out with any cartoon character, who would you choose and why?

I’d have to say “Mr. Magoo.” Not the most popular guy, and there are lots that I think of as a whole lot funnier, but the tagline of “Oh Magoo, you’ve done it again” was repeated by my father throughout my youth, and it brings back such great memories of him.

Thanks for sharing with us, neighbour Mike.

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Next week, we welcome Josh Murphy.