Garnett

It seems like I am writing many stories about friends who have passed away during the last few years. It must be the age bracket I find myself in as the frequency of these deaths unsettle me and I get a certain relief when I put to words a few thoughts about each and every one of them. In doing so I am reminded of the joy and sometimes sorrow attached to each of these individuals and how they impacted the life of my family or self.

Garnett came into my life when I was married in 1959. Garnett and his wife Shirley became close friends and our shared time and experiences enriched our lives.We not only became close friends but close neighbours during my university days at Laurentian. We lived across the street from each other and our families blended and bonded from the very beginning. Garnett shared stories of his early life in Sudbury and how he loved school sports where he excelled in football, basketball and hockey. He probably was spoiled being one boy in a two child family.

Garnett joined the RCAF and quickly became the captain of a  Lancaster Bomber used as a Atlantic Ocean patrol plane often flying as many as 18 hours at a time to perform his duty.  He met Shirley and left the Air Force and returned to Sudbury where he worked as an INCO employee. I saw his ability and practically brain washed him so he would return to university. He and I were some of the older students and managed to graduate to make our families proud. During our college days there was more than hard work as we held full time jobs but managed to participate in the athletic programs at Laurentian. Garnett was my coach in football and even played one game but took a heavy tackle and had to stand up on the bus all the way home from London.

At this time in our lives money was always a factor. For entertainment we played bridge and Garnett was very good at teaching  the rest of us the game. Drinking was popular but A&W root beer was the beverage of choice as you could purchase a gallon for $1. We shared meals and after we bought a cottage we shared some of the happiest and most memorable summer days. It was here when we literally lived together that we as friends bonded as did our children. Throughout the years we seemed to always be there for each other. On every election day when I was in politics Garnett and Shirley would migrate from Sudbury and be with us for the happy occasion. One election they were unable to attend and I lost. He seemed to be a lucky charm.

His two children were and still are wonderful examples of Canadian Youth. Resourceful and productive, fun loving and caring would be how I would describe them and much of that came from loving and caring parents.

Over the last few years we saw very little of each other but we did communicate and when we had the opportunity it was like old times. Garnett was lost when Shirley passed away and it was some years before Carol came into his life. She added that spark that awakened within Garnett that feeling of it is great to be alive. They did so much in such a short time but it is not the time you share, but how you share the time  that is special. Garnett had a few shared years with Carol and they never wasted a moment.

Our family feels sad at Garnett's passing but we have a whole pile of memories that can bring a smile and remove the sadness and replace it with joy for having shared some of his life with us.