A Collection of Dad's Essay's & Writings - Welcome

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- Dad’s Eulogy & Final Tributes - “It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing” Dad’s funeral was held at Brennan’s Funeral Home on Paradise Row. It occurred on Thursday, December 1st. The service was performed by pastor Tom Graham of Hope Lutheran Church where Dad had been a member off the congregation since it’s founding in 1931. Mom’s funeral service was also at Brennan’s. I had not intended to deliver Dad’s eulogy, simply because I did not know if I was capable of maintaining my composure (?). Events transpired, however, which quickly changed my mind. Veronica and I stayed at 208 Pitt Street, where Mom and Dad had lived since December of 1989. We arrived in Saint John on Tuesday. It was definitely difficult to return to Pitt Street and to walk around the apartment where veronica and I shared so many good memories with Mom & Dad. I had a restless sleep the first night thinking about Dad and the upcoming funeral. I kept going over events in Dad’s life particularly all the good times we had as a family. As I mentioned in the eulogy his life revolved around his devotion to Mom and us kids. It seemed that Dad was calling out to me in my sleep. I talked to Cathy and Karl the next day and they encouraged me to do the eulogy. We talked about Mom and Dad and had a good time remembering stories. Karl and Cathy suggested I mention a few particular humorous things about Dad and the speech started to form inside my mind. I went into dad’s room and fittingly composed a brief speech on the old 486 computer. Dad’s cousin Jenny came down from Toronto to attend the service and reception. In the funeral parlor on the eve of the funeral, she briefly talked about Dad’s life and his sense of humour. As I listened carefully to Jenny, my confidence increased and I knew that it was the right thing to do. Dad might be listening and would have a good laugh at what we had to say. The day of the funeral arrived. Veronica and I left 208 Pitt and drove down past the newspaper office. A truck, coming off the causeway suddenly veered in front of us and almost hit us. If Dad were driving I am sure he would have made a choice comment, as he always complained about Saint John drivers. I was about to curse at the driver, when, on the back of the truck, was a sign that said: “The Great Dane”. Veronica and I looked at each and smiled. Dad was with us! The funeral hall was full. A lot of people had turned up to pay their final respects to Dad. I admit I was nervous but kept an inner smile, awaiting my time. I was obviously going to be respectful but would also enjoy poking fun at Dad and his habits. Karl, Veronica and I always had a good time with Dad and I know he enjoyed all the banter over the years. The family agreed it was a nice final farewell to Dad. I hope he was listening! ________________ A few days after the funeral some articles appeared in the local newspaper paying tribute to Dad and all the work he had done for the Saint John arts and music scene. At the season premiere of the Saint John Symphony a tribute to Dad was given as well. These articles follow the eulogy. In the final few weeks Cathy was always at the hospital with Dad as she had been for Mom. She was continuously at his bedside when he was moved into palliative care. He had taken a really bad turn and the family knew he would not live more than a few days. Karl unfortunately was in Montreal and could not get a plane out until Sunday, November 30th. He arrived at the hospital Sunday afternoon around 3:30 only to have Dad pass away 15 minutes later. Sensing in late October/early November that Dad’s health was rapidly deteriorating, Veronica and I made plans to arrive on Monday, November 28th. It was too late for us to see Dad one last time. When I returned to Regina a week after the funeral I immediately looked over all the family items I had found in Dad’s den. My high school friend Bobby Selby took many of his cassettes on classical music. I viewed the hundreds of slides that Dad had. After about a week I placed all the family heirlooms and documents in a box. I found it difficult to attempt to organize his work at that time. Upon returning from Saint John this past August I decided it was time to publish Dad’s work. He would have been 85 in February of 2008. This book ends with a poem, “A Parents Love” and verses from two cards I sent to Mom and Dad on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary in 1989. This is my final tribute and “song of praise” to two wonderful, loving and caring parents.
Final Tributes
Page 1 and 2: A Collection of Dad’s Essay’s &
Page 3 and 4: - THE QUALITY OF LIFE - “The Qual
Page 5 and 6: only be thwarted by introducing ref
Page 7 and 8: - Almost Forgotten Ballads Have an
Page 9 and 10: Peerce and Nelson Eddy featured a t
Page 11 and 12: - Adventures Above the Clouds - "Wh
Page 13 and 14: Breton Flying club extricated her f
Page 15 and 16: - FAITH - “One life is all we hav
Page 17 and 18: “My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord
Page 19 and 20: Reginal Heber wrote the words to
Page 21 and 22: - Humour, Glories and the Name of H
Page 23 and 24: - From Elijah to Hope - A History o
Page 25 and 26: During the War Years from 1939 unti
Page 27 and 28: Lockhart and Common Council; Donald
Page 29: tremendous improvement in disease c
Page 35: Newspaper Articles
Page 43: `During the last few years of his l
Page 48: - IN MEMORIAM - 52 years together C

A Collection of Dad's Essay's & Writings - Welcome

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