Michael Willingham’s Story

Born in London, England in 1938, Michael J. Willingham half-jokingly says that his boyhood bears a striking resemblance to movie classic, Hope and Glory, that depicts the life of a young boy growing up in London during the blitz of World War II—his early life in England during the war was chaotic and challenging yet liberating and adventurous. After the war, Michael came away from school with an odd mix of diplomas in Animal Husbandry, Architectural Design, and related building trades.

The first stood him in good stead when he immigrated to Canada in 1958 and landed a position managing a sizeable farm near Toronto. Three years later, he moved west to Kelowna, working as a stock broker for six years before heading to Toronto in 1970 and a career as an advertising exec which stuck for six years before he shuttled back to Kelowna, opening a retail store and bistro/café with life partner, Diane Roberts.

After proving his mettle he signed on with Harry McWatters in 1983 as Sumac Ridge Estate Winery’s first salesman. Then making a lateral move, joined Sumac Ridge’s agency of choice, Darryl Weinbren’s Vintage Consultants Ltd. By 1986, Willingham was ensconced at Vintage developing the company’s marketing and media relations’ strategies, and implementing special events.

Michael had found his niche, and carved out a successful career in the wine industry that saw him achieve many milestones from writing about wine and educating industry workers, to bringing Darryl Weinbren’s Wine Line to life (delivering the company’s wines to caterers, licensees and individual buyers), seamlessly knitting these into his ‘day job’ as a popular wine rep with Vintage. In the early 90s, Willingham stayed the course as Remy Martin acquired Vintage, stepping up to take on the role of administrator of product information, in addition to marketing, the Wine Line and special events until 1999 and a merger with Maxxium. At this time, together with several colleagues, he accepted an early retirement package.

Anyone who knows Michael realized that true retirement was hardly in the cards. Willingham’s version included a move to Nanaimo where he kept his beloved sailboat and repping Maxxium’s portfolio on a part time basis to upper Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Gulf Islands, sometimes by boat. He had it made. Michael had successfully combined his three loves: Diane, sailing and wine.

Sadly, Michael suffered a debilitating stroke in February 2005, caused by whiplash from a motor vehicle accident. Since then, he’s defied the odds, and kicked a lot of butt including his own as he battles nonstop to regain, and reclaim his life. His progress has been remarkable thanks to his and Diane’s strength and will, and the inestimable support of friends and colleagues. Together Michael and Diane continue to make his return to health their top priority.

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