The Beinn Gorm Highlanders’ bass drum will be permanently adorned with a plaque honouring the late Michael Giffen.
Giffen, one of the family proprietors of Giffen's Country Market, died on Feb. 21 following the collapse of a roof on the market property in Glen Huron. According to information released by Huronia West OPP, the building on Station St. collapsed “due to unknown circumstances.”
He was 55. He leaves behind his wife Kim and three sons William, Lucas, and Jack.
While Kim declined a request for an interview at this time, she sent an emailed comment through her childhood friend Lesley Paul.
“Michael and I were high school sweethearts and we were married for 32 years,” said Kim. “He was a wonderful husband and a kind and caring father to our three boys.”
“We will miss him for the rest of our days.”
Kim’s sister, Kara Parrish, remembers Giffen as a historian of family history, noting he enjoyed his role talking with anyone who came into the market to let them know what Giffen’s Country Market was all about as a family business. Giffen’s grandmother and grandfather started the business.
“He loved to keep the family legacy going,” said Parrish. “He was such a wonderful person. The family is deeply affected by the loss of him. He was the head of the family, but in a kind, caring, loving and passionate way.”
“Life is too short.”
A fixture of the Beinn Gorm Highlanders for nearly 20 years on the bass drum, pipe major Sheila Stewart called Giffen “the heartbeat of our band.”
“He was a genuine straight shooter who treated everyone with kindness, respect and courtesy,” said Stewart. She noted Giffen regularly mentored young drummers and served as president of the band for a few terms. During the pandemic, Stewart said he opened up his home and farm to the band so they could continue practising while physically distanced.
“For now, Michael’s bass drum is holding a space of sadness and happy memories for us all,” she said.
Born and raised on his family’s farm in Glen Huron, Giffen attended Duntroon Central Public School and graduated from Collingwood Collegiate Institute.
He knew he wanted to be a teacher from an early age, earning degrees from Brock University, York University and a master's in education leadership from Charles Sturt University in Australia.
He started working as a teacher at the Simcoe County District School Board in 1989, teaching French, sixth grade and special education. He became a teaching vice-principal, and eventually moved up the SCDSB ranks to become a superintendent of education. He worked at The PeakFM for 23 years as a part-time announcer.
However, the farm kept calling on him to come home.
While Giffen always had a plan to return to the farm upon his retirement from teaching, in 2022, Giffen quit his job at the SCDSB early to focus on the farm following the death of his father in a farming accident.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of former superintendent of education Michael Giffen, and have extended our deepest sympathies to Michael’s family,” said Sarah Kekewich, communications manager with the SCDSB in an email.
She shared that despite leaving the SCDSB in 2022, Giffen continued to support the system through his connection to School Mental Health Ontario, and helped cover the superintendent for Collingwood area schools this past fall.
“Michael will be missed by his friends and colleagues throughout the county,” said Kekewich.
In an interview with CollingwoodToday on his choice to leave his job with the SCDSB back in 2022, Giffen said “family always comes first.”
He referenced his father’s death at that time.
“It made me reflect. I came to the decision that I needed to move on to work, lead and manage in different ways now, to work with my family and contribute,” said Giffen in an interview then.
Giffen volunteered with the Rotary Club of Collingwood-South Georgian Bay for almost 25 years. Penny Towndrow, current club president, called Giffen “a Rotarian at heart” this week.
“Mike assisted with events and sponsorships, always with a smile and willingness to do whatever was needed,” recalled Towndrow.
She said in 2023, he took on a role serving on the board of directors and chairing the public image committee.
“He was universally respected for his quiet, gentle wisdom,” she said. “Mike had the gift of being able to help without intruding. He was incredibly humble.”
At council’s meeting on Feb. 24, Coun. Kathy Jeffery talked about the impact of Giffen’s death on the Collingwood community.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Giffen family,” said Jeffery. “He was an integral part. I know the Beinn Gorm Highlanders will be missing his drum in their core.”
Stewart shared that the Beinn Gorm Highlanders plan to honour Giffen’s memory by establishing a scholarship fund for students to attend piping and drumming workshops, and a brass memorial plaque will be added to the band’s bass drum permanently.
“It will remind future drummers of his legacy,” said Stewart.
A service of remembrance for Giffen will be held at 1 p.m. on March 4 at the Georgian Bay Hotel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, Rotary Foundation of Canada or the Beinn Gorm Highlanders.