A Loving Tribute to My Father-in-law, GREG

"Life is a journey of sweetness and sorrow,
Of yesterday's memories and hopes for tomorrow,
Of pathways we choose and detours we face
With patience and humour, courage and grace,
Of joys that we've shared and people we've met
Who have touched us in ways we will never forget."
- A verse in one of our many sympathy cards received

Last week I lost my father-in-law, Greg… and want to share some photos that represent him and his family…

This is the little card that was handed out at Greg's funeral.
The poem on the back sums up his life…
the photo on the front sums up him,
in front of one of the many churches he photographed,
here holding his camera. This photo was taken by a dear friend
of Greg's.

Greg and Blanche's wedding photo…
October, 1950.

I crafted many cards for Greg and Blanche over their past years.
This is the final anniversary card I made for their anniversary
last year… definitely a date to remember.

Here is a photo taken of Greg with his siblings…
he was the 3rd youngest of the nine of them and the last to pass away.
He is easily picked out in this photo second from right in back row!

The very last family photo of Greg and his 4 children
… this one was in our backyard in the summer of 2012.

This family photo was taken at the time of Bev's wedding…and is displayed
proudly on the wall in Greg and Blanche's dining room in their home.

Another photo collage proudly on display for the past 3 years or so…
with all of his grandkids as well as his 2 great grandkids.
Each one of these children shared so much love with their
dearly loved Grandpa and great Grandpa…
I know they were among his life's most treasured blessings. 

Another photo on display in his home is this lovely one
of him with his wife, Blanche.
I believe this was one taken through the church.

I captured Greg on his final Christmas…
December, 2013… looking so festive here in the Santa hat!

Here is Greg on his final birthday…
when he turned 89 years old on April 18th, 2014.
He always loved a celebration when the family
was gathered together… for what ever the occasion.

This photo has extra special meaning to me…
it is my dad with my father-in-law…
TWO of the BEST DADS EVER!
I know this photo is not really clear… but the memories of them sharing a
celebration drink together by the island of our kitchen at our annual
Boxing day family gatherings
is very clear and vivid in my mind.
I will now cherish those memories  even more and visualize them
together again in heaven.

I considered it a true honour to be part of the grand opening of the Elevator
exhibit on May 1st, 2014, in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.
Greg had a nice representation of family and friends present
for this special day…and he spoke with such enthusiasm and passion
about his love and knowledge of the prairie history.

This book is a project I will hold dear to my heart…
Greg and I put this barn book together on my computer…
Greg sat beside me and I typed in the info to each barn.
Greg could have made several volumes of BARN BOOKS
with all his amazing photos.  His memory blew my mind…
he knew each barn and where they were located and details
to go with each one… without a single note in hand!

This barn was of special importance to Greg…
it was north of St. Gregor, and was the barn he was on the roof shingling
when he got the news of his oldest son, Bruce being born, September 3rd, 1951.
Brian, Colin, Jana and I enjoyed visiting this with Greg last June, 2013…
here with new owner and his dogs.

Many wonderful family gatherings took place at Greg and Blanche's…
this is one just this summer in July.

Greg was often seen sitting out on his front deck… by his flowers.
His neighbours will recall him out there…and used to pop by for many a visit.
Here is my husband, Brian with his dad… just weeks ago.

The display of Greg's cherished life as seen at his funeral…
The bottom left photo is especially meaningful
beside the father and son ornament… it is a photo of Greg and Son, Bruce.
Bruce sadly passed away one year ago so he and Greg
 will now reunite in Heaven once again.

Only a few photos from the day of the celebration of Greg's life.

A last kiss…
Greg was proud to boast that he gave Blanche a goodnight kiss every night!
He was a very loving and loved man…
he will be fondly remembered and held so close in our hearts.





Just over a week ago… we said a very sad farewell to a man we all loved so dearly. There is never an easy way and or time to say good bye to some one who we all cherish so much.


Greg had a fall and broke his hip on August 16th. He was out trimming a tree, which was so typical of him. He loved to be in his yard…and if something needed doing, he was quick to get on it, always! He had hip surgery on August 18th, and his hip was repaired without a problem, however sadly there were complications following the surgery. He had his family by his side, and was able to not only say his final goodbyes to them, but being the classy guy that he was, he was busy thanking all the nurses and doctors on the RUH staff for taking such good care of him, too.


He had a wonderful phone visit with my son, Colin,(his oldest grandchild) on the phone the day before he passed away. Colin was the only grandchild unable to attend his funeral… so I know this conversation will hold a very lasting memory for Colin, of the love he and his dear Grandpa Greg shared . Colin was here just this past March from his home of Montreal, so he saw him then as well.


Where do I begin to sum up the life of a man so loved by so many?…. It is hard to know where to start. He was a wonderful family man, hard working, and full of passion and pride for all he was into. He was a brilliant man, and sharp as a tack always. A role model extraordinaire!



He was a left hander… which I have heard is a sign of being extra creative. He was definitely creative… from all his many items he built to his photography skills.  He was a carpenter by trade. So building was second nature to him.


He was into everything his family was into as well… from sports to dancing, and everything in between. He was a coach of hockey teams of his sons, Bruce and Brian growing up…and then went on to watch nearly every hockey game of our son as well as the other grandsons. He also attended football and soccer… and possibly other sports, too that his grandkids were involved in.



He was in attendance at most of the  dance recitals over the history of my "Diane Will Dance Studio"…
(from 1974-2002)
Not only was he there to see them… he likely built every single dance prop needed from stairs, to cages, chairs, stools, boxes… etc… and they were sturdy enough to dance on, too! I have a little chuckle, because when I recall asking for 10 small black benches once… 
the next day wanted to change the height to be higher, but he had them all made and painted already! 
He was always in a "RUSH"KOB
to get on each and every project he was asked to do…
and he did a fabulous job of it always, too!



He was so good to my two children growing up. My daughter Jana, went to school at the fine arts school located across the street from their home. She attended from grade 3-8, and had her lunches with her grandparents throughout those years. They always catered to her picky eating needs, and then some… doing theme days too… such as popcorn Fridays and fun things like that! Her friends all have fond memories of their times spent at Jana's 
Grandparents home over those years.


Later more of Greg's grandchildren attended that school, too and had the same treatment and special bond as Jana had.


Greg loved each and every one of his kids, grandkids and adored the two great children as well.
He will be fondly remembered by his children…
Bruce, Brian, Bev and Brenda.
their spouses…
Gail, Diane, Ralph and Mark.
Grandkids…
Colin(Caro), Jana (Nels),Sam, Luke(Kirsten),
Alec, Emily, Maxwell and Rowen…
And great grandkids… Mariah and Beau.



On Father's day just this year… Greg and Beau shared some precious moments looking through the book we gave him as a gift. Mariah idolized her great grandpa too ,and just this past week told me she would like to have a "barn" tattoo on her back in her Great Grandpa's honour! 
How cute is that?!!!
(I kind of think if she does… it might end up being a temporary one… but it is the thought that counts!!!)




I could go on and on to tell many fond stories of Greg… but will sum it all up by saying he was loved by all who knew him. He was a hard working man, very kind and generous, smart, creative, interesting, knowledgable, quick witted… and so passionate and proud.


Greg was born April 18th, 1925 and lived a very full life until August 18th, 2014. He was celebrated at his funeral mass ceremony which many family members and friends
 were a part of.
This was held on August 22nd, the 25th birthday of his second oldest grandson, Sam. Sam and Greg's oldest grand daughter, Jana, both did lovely tributes for their Grandpa 
at his funeral as well.


Greg had many nieces and nephews and special friends and neighbours who thought the world of him. He will hold a very special spot in the hearts of us all,
 as he now watches over us from the heavens above.


I just want to say how lucky I am to have married his son, Brian… because he has many of the wonderful traits 
that his dad had. Like father … like son!

I also want to say once again THANK YOU to all for all the love and support in the this past week during our loss.


In closing I will share this little poem
I wrote in Greg's honour…



Where do I begin to describe such a man?
I'll do my best, and say what I can.
I was so lucky to be a big part…
Of sharing with Greg… and his very kind heart.
He was a man of passion and pride,
He shared lots of that, and just couldn't hide…
His love for his family and also for friends,
His love for his work, his hobbies and trends!
A man of such brilliance, with all that he knew,
A prince of a man, so genuine, too.
Regardless of gender and /or of age…
A very warm chat, he could always engage!
As a father-in-law, he was second to none,
I felt like a winner… HE... was who I had won!
A husband, a father, a grandpa… all so great,
A friend and a relative, we must CELEBRATE!
Thoughtful and caring… that was his way…
There are so many things I could add and could say,
He was easy to love… right from the start,
Fondly remembered… he'll live on in my heart!