Monday, January 2, 2023
For Dad
Brian, Mom and I would like to extend our gratitude to all of you for coming to celebrate the GEM that was our Father, by using his famous words - "Mercy - that's French for thank you".
I don't know one person who doesn't love our Dad. And if you think you MIGHT know someone who doesn't love and admire him ... don't tell me, because I wont believe it anyway.
The sentiment that keeps showing up in all the messages to the Family are that he was such a kind man, a gentle man, he was sweet and a great sense of humour. And all of those things he was.
Dad loves Canada Geese, The Toronto Maple Leafs, my Mom, Brian and I, Breanna, Brayden and Emily. He loved Floyd and loved Kim and he loved a glass of rum or whiskey. But, not necessarily in that order!
He loved each of his brothers and sisters, Hank Williams, molasses bread, fish and brewis, jam and toast and a good chat. He loved candies! Especially jujubes!
He was simple, kind, honest and hardworking. He was a GREAT listener. He taught Brian and I both, by example. He was a good provider and a good joke teller and a great...and sometimes repetitive...story teller!
He was the smartest person I know.
He had the softest hands.
Mom, Gladys was his best friend and they did everything together. She stood by his side for over 60 years and layed by his side in his final moments. He knew how much he was loved and he loved her just as much. The love and respect they had for each other was unparalleled.
He was so proud of his Grandchildren. He loved Emilys spunk, her red hair and the fact that she corrected him! Like when she was 5, he took her for a walk on the beach in Glenburnie and said "look at all the seaweed Emily". She said, "actually Poppy, that's KELP".
He loved watching Brayden play hockey and he was over the moon when he got accepted to Law School He was definitely Poppys little man. He'd be happy to know that Brayden has taken over the role of family 'pick' and comedian! Rest easy Dad, your legacy continues!
He was so happy for Breanna's accomplishments and loved chatting with her about her thirst for education. She was his first Grandchild and Pops Girl. When I gave birth to her, Dad came to the hospital and hugged me and thanked me for making him a Grandfather.
I am so thankful that Dad got to meet Breannas awesome husband Jack, and he would have been ecstatic to know that Breanna was going to make him a Great Grandfather in April. Oh, and he would have been Great.
He loved talking to Brian about so many things, including his work and hockey. Loved having a whisky and a chat with Floyd and talking to me about my kids. But more importantly, he always asked "how are YOU doing?" And more importantly that THAT, he really listened to your answer.
No matter what the kids told him they wanted to do or were applying for or trying for, he would always say "you'll do it", "you'll get it" , "i know you will". He was our biggest fan and genuinely happy to see us all do well.
He prayed for us all at night and cheered us on in the day.
He was a gentleman. He always made me walk on the inside of the road.
He was the first man I ever loved.
He wasn't perfect, but I'll still argue to the contrary. He did the best he could and he tried hard. He got better with age. He was SO funny, the funniest person I know. He had a devilish twinkle in his eye...and a raised eyebrow that spoke volumes! I'll miss that mischievious grin and his beautiful blue eyes.
When Dad took a turn for the worst last week I prayed he wouldn't go on Christmas Day. I thought that would be a sad, sad memory every year. And it will. But, the more I think about it, I realized that he was such a special, special man, that God had to choose the most special day to take him to Heaven. Walk in Heaven Dad, knowing how much you were loved.
I will leave you with the 5 words that Dad said to us every night on his way to bed, or before hanging up the phone after our chats in the evenings.
Good Night and God Bless.