My father-in-law Ken passed away on Sunday after a brief battle with cancer. You'd have liked him. His son Mark wrote in the obituary:

"Do you remember him? You saw him stroll past you, happily humming some tune out loud. He opened the door for you as you entered the mall. He smiled broadly and then called you “Luv”. It made you feel good…like you were being greeted by an old friend."

He was the guy who talked to you in the line at Harveys, at the Tim Hortons, on the bus, at the mall, anywhere, everywhere.

You saw him at the park surrounded by his grandkids: Molly, Jack, Russell, Daisy, Jacqueline, Nathan and Angus. The wide smile on his face illustrated his happiness, his pride.

Your favourite beverage; Sterling, a pint of Keiths or a shot of cognac was already poured, waiting for you when you walked into the ANAF. His warm welcome made you feel at home.

It was him at the Mimico baseball fields, like a gazelle you saw him bound past third onto home.

He was at the snooker table with his friends. Every so often he walked away to refresh his wife’s drink.

He gave you a warm, dignified handshake. He was your brother.

The man was Papa, Ken, Kenny, Dear, Pops, Dad, Uncle Kenny and Old Man. He was Kenneth Carmichael.

It was the family's wish to have a celebration of his life on Wednesday, which left little time to prepare. The hall was booked, a minister was found, food was arranged but none of the family's "regular" pipers could be found. I was a bit panicked as I was nominated to find one. What to do? We cannot have this without a piper. I know! I'll ask Glen. I sent him a PM on Monday night. I got a response almost immediately. "I'll call my old pipe instructor", he said. The next day I get a PM with the name and number of a piper who is available at that time. One quick call secures his services. Of course he turns out to be a very good piper and a nice guy to boot.

The memorial service was perfect: family and friends, many stories, much laughing, much crying. Ken would have liked it very much.

Thank you Glen for making it possible for us to celebrate Ken's life properly.

And Ken, I'll miss you.