Well Dad, your journey here has come to a peaceful end. Over this last week so many memories have been flooding back. Years ago you mentioned you had been concerned that you worked too much when we lived in Oro, but Marielle and I thought our childhood was wonderful. Anytime we wanted to see you, we just had to run downstairs to say hi. You always came upstairs so that we could have dinner as a family, and I remember staying up late to watch the news with you. You made us an incredible go-cart so we could burn around the backyard (envied by many friends, especially the boys) and anytime a new snowmobile came in you often took us for a ride. Anytime Marielle and I visited Tosca (our Saint Bernard) you would come rescue us when she got too excited and we were trapped on the roof of her doghouse screaming "DAD"!!! Our family vacations, camping trips and Sunday car rallies were always an adventure. I loved that I was a night owl like you and could have some dad time by myself. I loved that we both loved storms and you would sometimes wake me up for the really good ones. You took me on my very first rollercoaster at eight years old and from there I was hooked (still am). 

When I was a young adult our father daughter relationship was still strong but we also became friends. You were so excited to give me my first car so that I could enjoy the freedom of being able to hit the road whenever I wanted. Our trip to Holland gave me the chance to really enjoy quality time with you, exploring different towns, tasting all the different food and having a blast at Eurodisney and the Efteling. The home you moved to the lake with me in mind was so sweet and the window seat you had built for me was my favorite spot to sit to enjoy the view and read a book. When I was stranded coming home from Vegas you were so proud of me for figuring out on my own how to get home.  

You were never shy to show how much you loved us and never seemed to judge us if we made choices you didn't agree with. You were always easy to talk to. Remembering our game of trying to find each other the sappiest card and make the other one cry and of course a round of bloody knuckles to pass the time, puts a smile on my face. As I got older and moved out of town, we were not able to get together as much but you often came down to Victoria to enjoy a meal, a show at the IMAX or for a music event. Often a quick call to say hi turned into an hour (or so) long chat about current events or the latest amazing thing you had just watched on National Geographic. Getting to see you with Cameron was very special and I wish you could see the wonderful young man he has become. I see a lot of you in him and every time he enjoys a beat or whistles a tune it reminds me of you. He shares your passion for cars and I think you two would have enjoyed a road trip together.

The last few years have been very hard with you getting quiet. I missed our chats and missed seeing you get excited about something you had seen or were working on. Occasionally I did see a mischievous look in your eye but I was not always sure what it was about (your secret I guess). It is now your time to rest Dad and maybe dance a little. I am so proud to be your daughter and want to thank you for all the guidance and love you gave me. I hope that we are able to have a chat again one day.

Love you Dad. Shell-a-belle

So many great moments with my Dad.  Never judgement and would gladly give advice if asked.When I was 17 I was getting Married and right before my wedding I met a Parrot in a Mall. Spike, and I had to have him!  My Dad was already paying for so much, but when he heard me talk about this parrot, he couldn't deny the fact I was destined to have him. Those unique magical moments of desire, when my eyes were so bright, he was always happy to deliver a truly wanted gift. 

My Dad wasn't an over spender and didn't need much to be happy in his day to day.  Cheese Kaiser buns for lunch, beer after work, car race on the weekend, enjoying the balcony in the summers and fixing up and enjoying cars.I loved conversations with my Dad, we could and did talk about anything and everything.Hours would pass by like minutes.He was always their for me when I needed him, and always trusted in giving me enough space to find my own way.Great Dad, mentor and most of all a great friend.I wish my kids got to know him the way I did, but through stories they kind of have.Forever his presence will be with me.Marielle