Michael Kevin Ouimet, 38, of Westport, MA, died Monday February 22, 2016, at Massachusetts General Hospital after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Kevin and Susan (Schwartz) Ouimet of Westport. Michael was a graduate of Bishop Stang High School class of 1995, and attended UMass Dartmouth.
Michael was an avid guitarist with a keen interest in music of all types and was very involved in the local music scene. He played with bands in such local venues as The Back Eddy and Down the Hatch. Michael never let his disability or illness inhibit his zest for life, even writing and producing a song and video about his time among us called “How Long.” Though Michael spent 23 years in a wheelchair and fought off an array of vicious illnesses, he played an active role in the Westport Commission on Disability and was a tireless and vehement advocate as exemplified in his work to provide beach access for the disabled. Also, as a talented and skilled athlete, Michael traveled widely to participate in such adaptive sports as water-skiing and surfing in Hawaii and mono-skiing in Utah. His heart, however, was ever anchored to the Westport River where he had quahoged and fished as a boy.
Though illness fettered his body, it never confined his spirit. Courageous and indomitable to the very end, he lifted up and inspired all who knew him, friend and family alike.
Survivors include a sister Karen Fahy, and her husband Brian, a nephew Patrick Fahy and a niece Erin Fahy, all of Rochester, MA, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and many devoted close friends.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 9 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 945 Main Road, Westport. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, February 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.