For my beloved son's Maxim Memorial Services.

Once upon a time...
That how all stories begin.
I'll  tell you story about my son.
His name is Maxim.
Before he was even born I knew that I would give him this name. As all fathers we want to see our kids strong, successful and give the all the support we can as they grow older older.
I decided this is perfect name: Maxim. He would do everything to the  maximum in his life.
He grew up fast as all kids do and  was always active.
He liked to ride his bicycle, swim and his favorite sport was play soccer.
One of his favorite things to do go for walks in park,  sit on the  bench and watch  big buses pass by full of riders.
He always told me that one day he will be driving big bus.
Max carried this  love to big buses the  same as his love for the workshop. He liked building  things from wood. One day Maxim made a
clock from carefully selected pine tree plank. He spent hours for polishing it so knots will come up on the surface and create mystical picture.  After that he covered it with lacquer to preserve his hard work. In center he inserted clock with two little golden color handles. He glued all the digits around in right order...
Happy Fathers Day dad he said and handed me box he brought from his school.  He knew that I will like his work because I also like building things from wood and like smell of pine tree...
Maxim also liked to read books. His favorite writer was Stephen King.
His novels intrigued him.  I found 363 books on his online bookshelves and five cardboard boxes full of his own favorite books. Imagination let him see the world differently.
None of us is perfect. Maxim was one of us ... not perfect.
During his time here he wanted to live his life his own way...
One day he came from school and said that he wants to start working.
Nothing could stop him. I knew that he wants to learn his own life lessons... He started working  in one small company to another one until I brought him to my workplace I used to work at.
Steam Whistle Brewery was his best job ever he told me... Despite fun work he finally started learning that education is very important... I saw him  learning his life lessons. Dad he said, I know what I really love in life.... Cars and the automotive field. I want to be a car mechanic and repair cars for you and for other people.  That was his dream and he started work towards it so his dream will come true. But it was little too late to go back to school...
Maxim found ways to get his credits he needed to complete high school and get his diploma. He started learn his real profession in College... a car mechanic. He was so excited while talking about different transmissions... Dad, it is hard but I know I can do this and I will be successful...
I will fix your car one day . Ok son,  I'll wait for you I said.
After hard work studying  he did it. My car never broke down but  Maxim successfully graduated College and got his Certificate of Mechanics. He started working on another people's cars...
I was so proud of my son that he chose the same profession same as me.  During his practice at Canadian Tire Auto Shop He said that he has big plans to go to Alberta and open his own business with his good friend. It is time to make your own decisions Max;  you can do this I said.
I'm so proud of you. I want to be proud of myself and accomplish my main goal dad he said.
Max left to make his new dream real.  
We said our last words and wished him good luck and safe trip before he left to Alberta and I thought myself we helped him as much as we could but God, he is leaving to a far away place... We did not realize how far it really was until he left.
Everything was fine at first. Work, Cars, friendships. Pretty normal life until love came to his heart. Oh, he suffered so  much. Love hit him so hard. I never see him suffering so much. He wanted to be with this girl every second of his life, look into  her eyes, hear her laughter while he  would tell stories to her..
He wanted to do anything... but could not... She  was married to another man...
Life is toughest teacher. Life taught him lessons except one.
Love.
Love broke his heart. My son did not pass his last exam...

Life. What is life? To teach lessons? To test us how strong we are?
I thought I'm strong enough grown man without remembering my own parents. I lost my mom and dad when I just was 3 years old...
I spent 3 years in orphanage. I could spend more time there but thanks to my uncle adopting me and raising me like his own son.

And now what? New test?


... Maxim not with us anymore... 

We lost an  amazing  young man, our beloved son... At age of 29.

 That how young he was and his life began and ended so quickly but  his dreams and hopes  will always be with us.

We will always remember Maxim as good son, a good friend, a good mechanic.

Thank you for reading this story about my son Maxim.

Please forgive him if he caused you or to anyone he knew any pain and troubles...

Please help us.

Please donate.

My wife just got back to  work after a one and half year recovery after her shoulder surgery.
I have two others sons 22 and 10 years of age.
They need my  attention and support. Nothing should change in their lives even they lost their big brother.

I will manage funds.
All will be spent for his Memorial Service.
I want to bring my son here to Toronto from Alberta.
I want him to be close to us.
My son deserves a nice quiet place to rest.


Thank you.

With great respect to all of you...

Grieving father Serguei Mikhniouk