It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Newell Harper on February 24, 2026, at the age of 71.

Born on a British Army base in Hamburg, Germany, on May 28, 1954, Michael spent his childhood moving throughout England before crossing the pond to make his permanent home in Toronto.

After a varied early career he settled down in IT working for the last 35 years at CDS (Canadian Depository for Securities), Candle Corporation and TD Bank.

Michael was a person of distinct character. Stoic by nature, he possessed a dark and sarcastic sense of humor that those who knew him best understood and appreciated. Beneath that quiet exterior, however, was an incredibly loving heart devoted to the people closest to him.

He enjoyed hosting large gatherings for family, friends, and neighbours, had a passion for seeing the world and traveling, and spent many hours gaming ultimately making many friends playing World of Warcraft in his later years.

Michael will be deeply missed by his wife, Salma, his children Raisa and Alexander and siblings Patricia (Marc), Margaret, and Peter (Gaby).

Visitation and a funeral service will be held at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St West, Toronto on March 14th at 2:00pm. A reception will follow at the Harper/Husain household later that afternoon. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Michael’s Memory to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

1. Select the charity from the donations section on this website
2. Under Give in memory select Donate Now
3. For the area to support: National Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation Fund
4. For card recipient, use Salma Husain, salma.husain.ca@gmail.com