Dad's Memorial Service was a Great Tribute to his Life
Yesterday was my Dad's memorial service and it was a fantastic tribute to him and how he lived his life. Dad was an amazing person and people gravitated to him naturally. He helped everyone that needed it and was a true and life-long friend. There ended up being about 500 people at Dad's memorial service! What a great thing for my Mom to see. The service included my cousin Doug Humphries, who led a few hymns just like my Dad used to. My cousin Linda Atwell and her daughter sang, accompanied by her husband Howard. Pastor Jacques' message was great and his wife Tatiana coordinated the food. My parents friend Clint Brumwell played the organ. My cousin Sharon Morgan reflected on Dad's early family life and his good friend Al Butler spoke about the kind of friend Dad was. It was hard to know how Mom was going to do but she ended up saying that she enjoyed the service so much. She really felt that it was a great tribute to Dad, and it really was. Ken, Donna and I wrote a few words which I read at the service. I wasn't sure if I could get through it, but I did. Here are the words from each of us: From my brother Ken: Dad loved to pull jokes on people, like the time we were going out with mom and dad for dinner. Dad was watching from the front window so that he could beat us to the back door and make it seem that he had been waiting for us for a long time. The only problem was he tripped and fell and when Lynn and I came in the back door dad was upside down on the stairs. At that point he looked up at us and said "what took you so long." Another time when we were little, Darren and I got new bikes, so mom decided to try out Darren's bike. Off she went around the block. Then dad decided that he was going to catch mom on my bike and off he went. When mom came around the last corner dad went flying by her peddling backwards trying to stop. Dad didn't realize that my bike had handbrakes. Dad hit the curb and went flying through the air landing in the neighbours prickle bush. None of us could stop laughing. Dad was always concerned about his kids and wanted the best for each of us; that also included his grandkids. Papa made every effort to attend the kid’s hockey games and some soccer games. He was always telling Jesse and Erin to do their best and play fair. About two months ago dad even phoned Jesse to tell him not to worry about the tryouts but do his best and that God is in control and would provide for next season. Dad said that it would all work out if Jesse trusted God. Papa was the crazy-papa: he always was able to make Caitlyn smile even when she didn't feel like it. Papa would roughhouse with the kids, throw paper balls at them and make them laugh. Mom would say "oh Ken, stop getting the kids all worked up" but he just couldn't stop. Papa loved the kids so much. He's going to be greatly missed by all of them, and us as well. Dad was a great example to us kids; he was kind, friendly, supportive and loved his Lord. We are better people today because dad has influenced all of our lives in one way or another. His faith lives on through us who are still here fighting the good fight. From my sister Donna: How do I find the words to be eloquent enough to describe who my Dad was and what he meant to me? I guess I can start off by saying that right from the start of our lives we were chosen to be a part of Dad and Mom’s life. Gifts from God placed into their home to be nurtured in love, with family values, fun and laughter and the teaching’s of the bible. We learned Respect, we learned the value of a dollar, and we were taught Sunday was for reflection and going to church...there was no TV allowed. We grew closer to our parents as we grew apart in our independence. My Dad always had high expectations and when we got a 95% on a test he teased us by asking where the other 5% was. We strove to do well in so many areas of our lives but when we did stumble along the way my Dad was there to pick us up. He was even there when we didn’t expect him to be, stepping in as a father does to protect his children. I will forever miss him in my life and my sons, but I will never forget the lessons he has taught me, the support he has given me and the unconditional love he has had for our whole family. He was an incredible substitute father figure for my son and I could ask for no better role model than my father. Dad, I Love you. From Me: There just isn’t time to cover all that we could say about my Dad. It’s taken him a lifetime to complete his story, so we can’t bottle that story up in just a few words. Of course, I’ll attempt it anyway... To his friends and family, Dad was faithful and giving. He was always ready to help anyone, anytime and in any way he could. He always had the most ready smile, could light up the room with his effervescence and be heard from any part of the building. Dad’s friendship was given without expectations and without a time limit. To Mom, Dad was a loving, life-long companion. Mom and Dad did everything together. I know when Carolyn and I think of a “cute old couple” we immediately think of Mom and Dad. Dad made Mom smile, he made her laugh, he drove her nuts at times, but loved and cared for her always. We’re so sad for Mom but we know, and she knows that she and Dad will be together again. To his grandchildren, Dad was...Papa. He absolutely loved being with the kids. He loved to hear about how they were doing with school and to cheer for them at recitals and church concerts. His grandchildren will remember the tickles, his smile, his laugh, his hugs. To us kids, Dad was consistent, protective, caring and godly. Dad was always ready to look after us, look out for us and help us to grow. He cared deeply for us, for our eternal souls and wanted us to live a life worthy of being called “Christian”. He let us learn from our own mistakes but never criticized and was always ready to help us back up. He truly was an exceptional friend, husband, father, and words just don’t suffice. You each have shared in his story, in his life, and as a result hold a piece of him in your hearts. Dad, we will miss you.



