My Father's Death

(Dad's Army photo - age 19)
On Sunday June 25th 2006, my father passed away. Ironically, it was during Toronto Pride celebrations. As a million people celebrated, I rushed home from Toronto to be with my mother.

I have been with my family over the last few days making all the arrangements and taking care of the details. Only now have I had a chance to take a step back and try to understand what has happened to me & my mother.

I am not sure that I have fully grasped what has happened. It will take time for me to come to terms with his lose.

My father had been ill for sometime but his death is still a shock. I had seen him 48 hours earlier and my mother had been with him the afternoon before his passing away. He seemed to be doing well, at least no worst.

He is finally at peace.

He would have been 81 in September.

During the last few days I have been moved with all the well wishes, condolences, prayers, e-mails, cards, phone calls and offers to help.

I was overwhelmed by the show of support from my friends who attended the visitation and also the church service. It gave me new strength seeing them all there and all I could think of was how lucky I am to have such a great group of friends.

They are more than friends to me – they are my family.

(Dad teaching me how to fish - Woodstock 1972)

(Mom & Dad in Hull Quebec - My Uncle's garden before my cousin's wedding - 1998)