Jayne posted a condolence
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Dear Valerie, Linda and Kevin, Steven and Jay and family,
My thoughts are with each of you as you say goodbye to your beloved father and father-in-law. Heartfelt condolences to each of you.
Uncle Garth was a very important person in my life for my entire life, actually my Great Uncle Garth, but to me he was more like an uncle because he was so active and vibrant. My children and I visited Uncle Garth and Aunt Irene very regularly throughout the years Bradley and Lindsay were growing up, and after they moved away from home, I continued my stays with them in Nepean on my own.
Uncle Garth was a big inspiration to both my children, but in Bradley he made an impact that continues to this day, especially in playing hockey into his 80s and going into the office to work every day years past retirement.
As a family we have many favourite memories, and the ones which come to mind immediately are skating on the Rideau with Uncle Garth during Winterlude when we were all introduced for the first time to the infamous BeaverTails; having silly diving competitions into the backyard pool next to the old swing set; attending Canada 125 celebrations on Parliament Hill in 1992; all of us going together to watch Bradley in an Ontario Cup downhill race at Camp Fortune; being absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to watch Linda in a road race on television in the basement with Uncle Garth and Aunt Irene. All of those memories stick out because they were special occasions, but the ones we made year in and year out involve countless suppers in the dining room enjoying Aunt Irene's delicious food served on her Denby dishes (and doing so always felt familiar as I have a set myself); sitting around the kitchen table for all other meals as well as "happy hours" and endless board games and card games. Wherever we happened to be, the conversations were always diverse and engaging, there was always an empathetic ear for what was going on in our lives, and the love and support we felt was constant.
One thing about Uncle Garth I absolutely loved was his propensity to continue wearing shirts which were frayed and in some places threadbare -- he just liked the feel of them next to his skin and didn't see the sense in throwing them out (despite Aunt Irene's opposite feelings on the matter)! The two of them loved one another through and through, and I always melted a little inside when I heard Uncle Garth call Aunt Irene "OBee". Their marriage was one to be admired, that is certain.
With the onset of COVID, it was necessary to change things up, so I was hoping to have video visits with Uncle Garth, but although that wasn't possible, the annual Christmas cards kept coming -- a tradition Aunt Irene started decades ago and which Uncle Garth continued.
You are loved, missed and will never be forgotten, Uncle Garth. Rest in deep peace.
