Tribute

On January 4 our beloved father said goodbye to this world and journeyed onward into the cosmos. He lived a long and happy life. A man with many talents, he had the mind of a scientist, the heart of an artist and the soul of a poet. His paintings and sketches, some of which won awards, live on in the homes of family and friends and a large piece is on display at Thunder Bay Historical Museum.

He married the love of his life, Inez, after meeting her at the Cascades in Ontario and had three children who joyfully cherish his memory: son Donald (Leona), daughters Sharon and Stephanie (Wayne) and grandchildren he was so proud of Jeff, Eileen and Allison. He also leaves behind his family in Australia, sister Elizabeth, niece Lynn (Peter) and greatnieces and nephews Nicole (Brenden), Michelle (Kym) and Peter Jr. (Tahlia), who have enjoyed his many descriptive letters and their wonderful visits. Also left to celebrate his life are his family in BC Maggie (Ian) and family and Cleve and family, dearest friends who are as family, Kati, Nada and Dana (Richard) and many relatives near and dear to him. He loved you all.

His favourite quote of many was, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” We would like to think, as we ponder the starry skies, that he now embraces those vast dreams and philosophies unknown, to now understand the depth of and breadth of all mysteries.

As one great scientist said, “My brain is only a receiver, in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists,” Nikola Tesla. Dad had obtained much in knowledge, strength and inspiration and his greatest love for us was in teaching us not what to think, but how to think. His family always came first and some of our best memories were the many years we had at a cottage he built on a lake he loved, filled with the calls of loons.

Lastly, he shared another Tesla trait. “Of all things, I liked books best.” Indeed, he had his own large library having spent many years as a boy reading and contemplating.

He was predeceased by his wife, brothers, parents and many good friends.

We wish to thank Dr. Watson, Dr. Hoffert and the Home Care nurses for their outstanding compassion and dedication in helping our Dad. A special thank you to Wayne, Read and Hanna for caring. He knew.

Thank you, Dad, for being our father. We have wonderful memories filled with laughter and the “oddities” that make genius so special. We will miss you.