Thanks McMurdo

[robthehiker]

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.

[Sionnach]

Sorry to hear about your Father-in-laws passing. Glad to know you are able to celebrate his life. Thanks for giving us some of his story. And glad to know that Glen could be of such great help to you as well. All the best.

[Macman]

Your father-in-law sounds like a true gentleman. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Good on Glen for helping make sure his celebration of life was a good one.

[McMurdo]

Rob

It was my pleasure to help you with finding a piper, very glad to hear it worked out, Kenneth certainly sounds as though he was that special breed a true gentleman, reading his obituary proves that to me, I wish I had met him. Again I was only too happy to help you out. I will send my thanks to my old pipe instructor as well.

[george7]

Your father-in-law sounds like a great man and it's an honor to be amongst people like Xmarkers, even (and maybe especially) the moderators like Glen. ;-)

[GMan]

What a neat guy he was. I know his memory lives on.

[cessna152towser]

Condolences to you and yours, Rob, and well done Glen.

[robthehiker]

Thanks everyone. Ken certainly was a real gentleman. It was a privilege to know him.

[thescot]

Robthehiker, thanks for sharing that with us. It's always nice to hear good things about people both on and off Xmarks. Of course, we would expect nothing less from McMurdo.

I hope my son will say those same things about me when the time comes. I want to be the guy who opened doors (expeically for ladies), sang a tune, greeted anyone and everyone, and generally liked people and life.