Saturday night 23h39, my hero took his last breath... I will miss you Dad more than I have already missed you.
Although he has been placed in a home for the last 6 years, melting away, I wasn't sure how this last day would impact me. We have been without him for so long but to make it official is harder than expected.
Here's a post from a while back when I introduced him to the 'Letterheads'. He would have loved to meet people in this trade as he was always fascinated to visit my shop back then. We had to place him around the same time I first heard of a Letterhead meet at Pierre's in 2003. Sometimes I close my eyes and see him in a corner of a shop talking to Bill Riedel, John Jordan and a few more...
Pierre never really met my Dad and he was one of his favorite artist, I know he was MY favorite!
78 with no knowledge of the last 8, it's over... you can rest now!
Love you Dad........
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
mes sympathies René. Je penserai ŕ toi et aux tiens.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I'm comforted by your memories.
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
I'm sorry for your family's loss Rene. It seems he was as a good a dad as he was an artist.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Hey Rene, Your Dad was a great artist and I remember well both your pride and sadness when we spoke of him when I asked about a beautiful picture in your house. Athough I am sure there is an element of relief there, I, like many others am familiar with the pain of losing a parent you loved and admired. Who knows, perhaps he is in a corner talking to John Jordan. They are probably telling each other they speak funny. Sorry for your loss, Bud, even though it has been in progress for a long time, the finality of this must hit home. Hugs from the prairie.
Posted by Kent Moss (Member # 4295) on :
Rene,Sorry for your Dads passing.
A great friend & Dad...RIP
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
This is one club it sucks ot be a part of. Rene I feel for you and all of your loved ones. Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I doubt there was ever a time you and I got together, that your Dad's name didn't come up in a conversation. This recent time was no different. My Dad and he would have got along famously, well except that my Dad was a Leafs fan. I'm glad their sons became good friends and their spirit lives on through us. My heart goes out to you, Bug and all your family at this very difficult time. Love ya Bro.
[ July 12, 2010, 01:41 PM: Message edited by: Duncan Wilkie ]
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Rene, My heart and prayers go out to you my friend...Your father did good, not only as an artist but as a father, your a great guy Rene, thats a great gift your father has given you...Love, Pat and Ruth.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
I'm so sorry Rene, Even though we just spent a little time together, I feel I know a little about you and your Sense of Humor.... I bet you got it from your Dad... please accept my deepest condolences.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I'm so sorry to hear that, Rene. Revisiting your dad's work reminds me where you inherited your talent from.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
My prayers for you and your family, Rene.
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
So sorry to hear that Rene. Your Dad's gift shines through your art. Be comforted that he is at peace now. Prayers sent for you and your family.
Posted by Bevin Finlay (Member # 2159) on :
Very sorry to hear this Rene. My best to you and your family.
Bevin
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
My heart goes out to you Rene. Remember the good stuff...
-grampa dan
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Oh Rene, that is sad. He will always be there in your heart. And you will see him again in your children. My condolences to you, and your whole family.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father...my heart goes with you and your family!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Although I never had the honor of knowing your Dad, I did have the privilege of meeting you and I'm sure that all those great qualities that I see in you came from him.
It's a tough time right now, but the pain will lessen over the years but the great memories will always be there.
My Mom and Dad are both gone now but the best news is that they are at rest and in a better place.
My thoughts and prayers go with you....even if they do sound funny.
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
I feel your pain, Rene. It is never easy to lose someone so close to you. But as the time flies by, you will be able switch from pain and missing them to a little more remembering what a blessing they were in your life.
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Thank you all for the nice thoughts and those who called me in person, good to hear from you.
I'll be adding (probably tomorrow) a few more pictures, including the finished urn that I did for my Dad.
Very hard to focus on the tasks ahead...
Peace
Posted by Sal Cabrera (Member # 1236) on :
I'm so sorry to hear that, Rene. my best to your family
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Sorry to hear of your father's passing Rene.... my prayers are with you for peace and comfort as you grieve this loss.
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
So sorry for your loss Rene. It is so hard to watch our parents grow old and then to change roles with us as we become their care givers. No matter how much you prepare, it is still always so hard to say good bye. Thoughts are with you!
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
Sincerest condolences Rene.
Stevo
Posted by BOB HINES (Member # 2702) on :
breath deep,close your eyes & smile.What memories.Bob & Muriel
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Rene, be grateful for the love you shared. Hugs to you all.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Rene, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know what you're going through. Staying busy helped me.
What an incredible artist your Dad was. So inspiring! How awesome you have such incredible mementos of his work. They're stunning.
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
prayers and condolences from here as well-
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
So sorry to hear that Rene.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peace, Bob
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Them dads are special. Yours was so talented, what beautiful paintings those are! God bless his heart and you too Rene. He will stay in your thoughts and heart for a long time to come. I think of my dad every single day...
Posted by Darcy Baker (Member # 8262) on :
Your Pop excelled across the board.You are fortunate to have been genetically linked to him. My condolences Rene.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
We're very lucky to have had wonderful dads - mine was the smartest man I ever knew. I know how you feel and I'm sorry for your loss.......
Posted by Bob Peach (Member # 2620) on :
Sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family. Your father was incredibly talented.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Rene, I can't imagine how this must feel. I still have mine, & we have become so close in the past couple of years.
I sure do pray you are comforted every time you think of him.
Posted by Manfred Didier (Member # 5933) on :
Condolences from Bavaria. We're very sorry to hear about your loss. Your dad was a great artist. Unfortunately we never met him but we've seen his work at your place, just awesome. You got his talent and keep it alive. The best for you all.
Catherine, Carol, Marcus & Manfred
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Thank you all for the support, the phone calls and the kind words. Here are a few pics of what will be his final resting place. When my mom asked me if I would do the urn, I was honored and accepted the challenge.
What we usually see as an urn, is a box with a dove or a cross on it wich is fine if you like that, but to me the sight of an urn like that reminds me of the day that person died. My dad lived about 28700 days, why would I do anything to remember his last one... wich lets face it, wasn't his best! I want to remember the living years...
So I started to find ideas that would remind all of us that knew him, parts of his life. The cottage, the lake, the address where we all grew up, and so on...
All built in a sign shop of course, so HDU, Abracadabra Smooth and Sculpt, latex, 1-Shot and stuff collected here and there.... in the middle of it all a 1 l. jar! Hope you like it Dad!
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I'm glad I saw it when I visited you Rene. It's a beautiful work of art and soul.
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
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