Mike Taugher
(1956-2015)
Beloved life partner, son, brother, uncle, friend, colleague and mentor, Mike Taugher passed away unexpectedly on August 18. Mike is survived by life partner Ros Davies, parents Ed and Mary Taugher, brothers Jay (Cathy and children Kiana and Colin) and Kyle (Sharon and children Connor and Katie), Gloria Davies, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will also be missed by good companion Thor.
Mike led a rich and fulfilling life. He loved the outdoors and especially being on the water, whether sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, or kayaking, and he also enjoyed riding with his mountain biking friends. Professionally, Mike was a central figure in the Mid-Vancouver Island theatre community: Theatre Department Chair at Vancouver Island University, founder of the Nanaimo Fringe Festival, lighting and set designer par excellence for many productions, and a much admired mentor to many students, a number of them now successfully established in the profession. Creative and a patient craftsman, Mike was a lot like MacGyver; family, friends, and colleagues knew they could always count on him for a clever solution to any problem.
Mike was a humble and quiet man, yet passionate about his work. He was also extremely generous, and one of his final wishes was to establish a scholarship for deserving Theatre students at Vancouver Island University. Those wishing to honour Mike’s memory by donating to the Mike Taugher Scholarship can do so through the Vancouver Island University Foundation (foundation@viu.ca).