Montreal 74-year-old who froze to death this week lived for years in solitary camp in NDG woods

The man who died of hypothermia in Montreal's NDG neighbourhood Monday evening had lived in the same spot, outdoors, for about a decade, says one of his neighbours. The man’s name was Michael, said John Symon, who met him at his cave-like structure in the wooded escarpment called Falaise St-Jacques.

The man’s name was Michael, said John Symon, who met him at his cave-like structure in the wooded escarpment called Falaise St-Jacques.

Calling Michael “homeless” is technically true, in the sense that he had no house. But the 74-year-old staunchly told people he had picked the spot for his home.

“He said to me he’d made a lifestyle choice to live in the makeshift shelter,” Symon said.

Why had he made that choice? It wasn’t clear. But until COVID-19 hit and the range of options for the homeless changed, Michael’s routine had worked for him through years of Montreal cold snaps.