Five Years Ago Today
Five years have gone by, and we all miss you so much. On days like this, we think of the good times, the smiles, the laughter. Through these memories you live on. We love you so much.
February 23, 2011February 23, 2007One Year Ago TodayWe miss you, Dad. It's hard to believe that a full year has gone by. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you and miss you, but we take some comfort in knowing that your pain and suffering has ended. We know that you are with us every step of the way, and we thank you for being a great dad and there for us always. Last year, on the day of the funeral, Natasha showed us a DVD that she prepared as memorial of my Dad. The video was wonderful way to remember him and celebrate his life. There was not a dry tear in the room. Thank you, again, Natasha for putting together this wonderful video. I have now posted it online, and you can view it below: Part 1: Part 2: October 9, 2006ThanksgivingOn this Thanksgiving Day 2006, I give thanks for having Ted as my brother. He was someone that many people, me included, found it interesting to get to know. I miss Ted, and wish him and his family well. July 12, 2006Happy Birthday DadYou always said you didn't like celebrating your birthday but I always believed you did...as long as there was good cake to eat! (as demonstrated by the picture Mark posted) Love ya...Frank July 11, 2006Happy BirthdayHappy Birthday, Dad. Today we remember all the good times we had over the years. We know that you are watching us from above, and that you are always with us, every step of the way. Here is a photo from last year's birthday celebration:
April 25, 2006to jackie and the family, April 4, 2006MagicHello again, from sister Anne. First, a big thank you to Dianne and Paul for bringing to life the Teenage Ted you see in the cottage photos. Summers at Spencer’s Point held magic for us all. I also find magic now in the sympathy we receive by letter, phone, email and blog: From Bermuda Cousin James Hallett emails: His mother Keggie Hallett writes: From Toronto Colleague Margaret, who lost her B.C. brother not long ago, writes: Hope, who lost mother, father, husband to cancer, sends: Frances, who lost her mother, writes: From Ottawa Sacred Heart Convent girlfriend Eleanor (Dunsworth) Moore, of Ottawa, writes: From Berkeley, California: John Yap, our ‘extra’ brother from university days in Montreal and Ted’s Best Man, emails: From Etobicoke: This last entry is especially for Ted’s children. For a decade, my friend Leslie cared for a father immobilized by stroke; she emails: March 23, 2006Thank You TedI am the “other half” of the “Lynch Kids”, Dianne Dodsworth, a long time friend of Anne’s. Like my brother, Paul, I too spent some great summers with Betty, Ann, Ted, Fred and assorted friends at Spencer’s Point. Although, at the time, Ted was “my little brother’s friend”, the adventures and memories we created together over those summers are such a part of my life’s tapestry. To have such memorable summers in those growing up years was magical. Who can forget the many summer romances, the strip poker games where the girls came with their hair full of curlers!, the trek through the fields to the swimming hole, the stop for pies and pastries on the way back to the cottage, the group chore of making powdered milk for the many mouths around the table, the float where we endlessly dove into the muddy warm water, the clandestine midnight ‘break outs’ and many “growing up firsts” happening on those warm, red sands! So, to Ted and his family, thank you for being part of our lives...you made a difference and you are remembered for that. March 17, 2006Some HistoryI am the brother of Dianne Lynch, a good friend of Ted's sister Ann. March 16, 2006The EulogyBelow is the eulogy from the funeral mass. This was what I had written beforehand, and the actual eulogy varied from this a little. Most of it is comprised of stories shared by my family about my father. You may recognize some of the stories as ones posted previously by my brother and sisters. Above all else, my father was a man who truly loved his family. He devoted his life to us, doing whatever he could to make our lives better and happier. He was always this way, from the moment he met my mother, through our childhood, our teenage years, and our adult years. He always stood behind us, supported, guided, and helped us in any way he could. He helps us in play, in schoolwork, in sports, and transition to adulthood. Through the ups and downs of growing up, his love and support was constant and unwavering. There is no better way to convey this, than through the stories of my family members. My mother remembers how caring my father was, from the very beginning, soon after they met while working at the same hotel in Bermuda, before they started dating: "In Bermuda, I used to go out to the Badminton Club in the evenings, and, I'd have a brandy (and a couple of beers), and then I would drive home later. And the next day, I would meet Ted and he would say that he saw me winding up the driveway, that he had stayed up to make sure that I arrived home safely. And that really touched my heart, that someone would care enough to make sure I made it home safely". This caring would continue through courtship and 33 years of marriage. In addition to caring for us, my father always knew how to make us laugh and smile. My brother Frank recounts to the following story: There are many great things I will always remember about my father. One of which was his gift at story telling. The following is what I consider to be my dad's go-to funny joke/story (due to its length! Haha!). "One day the big animals and the little animals decided to have a football game. The big animals team consisted on large mammals such as bears and horses, and the small animals team was comprised of insects, such as flies and beetles. As the first half of the game progressed, the big animals were scoring at will. They were much faster and stronger than the insects. Every time the big animals got the ball, they would easily run it in for a touchdown. The big animals had a large lead after the first half. But then came the second half... In the first play, the elephant ran the ball up the middle and WAP!! He was tackled by an unseen opponent for a five yard loss. The little animals went back to the huddle cheering and congratulating each other in amazement. "Who made that tackle?" asked the ant. "I did," said the centipede. In the second play, the rhinoceros ran with the ball up the right side. WHOMP!! He too was tackled for another five yard loss. Back in the huddle the flea asked, "Who made that great stop?" "I did," said the centipede. In the third play, the gorilla tried an end sweep, led by the hippo throwing the lead blocks. SMACK!! Centipede tackles him for a ten yard loss. On offense, it was the same story. The little animals scored touchdown after touchdown, each scored by the centipede with incredible speed and ability. In the end, the little animals were victorious. During the celebrations that ensued, the small animals were confused, and asked the centipede, "You played great, but where were you in the first half of the game?" The centipede replied, "Puttin' on my boots, my boots, my boots, my boots, my boots…." The first time I heard this joke I didn't laugh and commented to him that "I listened to this whole story and THAT was the punch-line!" Now when I hear the joke it not only makes me laugh but it also makes me smile. In addition to making us smile and laugh, our father also taught us many things. My sister Sandra recalls the following story: Since I was a young child my dad would take me down to the park to practice baseball. As a former pitcher himself, he would teach me his special pitch, "the T-C Special". On one particular occasion when I was older, we were at the local diamond and I was practicing my drop curve. Dad was never a catcher as he would say, and instead of focusing on catching the ball, dad was intent on watching the spin of my pitch. On one occasion, the ball dropped just beneath his glove and bounced off the edge of the plate and knocked out one of his teeth! He insisted in making me continue practicing my pitching, even while he was bleeding with no tooth. As a proud father, my dad went a whole year with his tooth missing. I remember him saying to people -- while pointing to his missing tooth, "look at what my daughter did". Even though he looked silly, he was so proud of his daughter the pitcher, that knocked his tooth out. My father's last words to me were that, "you're a sweet kid, but you always threw like a girl." My sister Tara tells the following story about our father's gentle and supportive way: "Roots and Wings" is a phrase I heard once to describe a parenting style. And in my opinion nothing sums up my father's gentle way better than this! Together with my Mom they instilled in us strong roots, the door to home was always opened and always a soft place to fall if we needed it. But he also believed we needed wings, to venture out into the world and make a place for ourselves, a place we felt safe in, no matter where that place was, he was always proud! A few weeks ago my Mom and Dad joined us at our home for a meal, something we did quite often. And during this meal, his grand-daughter Adriana, fondly referred to as "Sweet-stuff" by her T-pa, found herself more interested in playing than eating... something that also happens quite often. In front of her she had a plate of food, a sippy cup of juice and a big girl glass of Milk just like her T-pa. During This particular meal Adriana was desperate to mix her milk and juice together. As a natural reaction -- knowing how poorly that combination would taste -- I told her "no", that she would not like the flavour combination but that she could drink each separately. When the meal had ended Dad gently suggested that now that we were all finished eating that I allow her, to make the Milk/Juice combo special -- That it was important for her to figure out certain things for herself! I agreed, we mixed the two cups together and Adriana had a taste... Her response, so full of pride was "tastey… thank you T-pa". Throughout life Dad allowed us to make choices for ourselves even though he often didn't understand them or agree with them... He insisted that we find our place... he knew that someday he wouldn't be here to make those decisions for us. So he helped guide and strengthen us, while he was here... "You need not worry Dad you did a good job... even if I have to say so, myself!" The story that would like to share is from when I was a tiny baby - but I don't remember my father from those years, I was too young. Naturally, we don't remember much from the first few years of our lives. In my early years as a baby and infant, I don't have many memories of our dad, apart from a few fleeting moments. In the past two years, however, I think we have all seen a window into what he must have been like during that time. We have recently seen the joy and happiness is his eyes as he greeted, and played, with his grand-daughter Adriana. I believe that this is how he must have been, when each of us were very little. During this time of much pain, discomfort, and sickness, Adriana provided a special gift of joy and happiness to her T-pa - a precious gift that she will not understand until she is older. When I think of the happiness - and the sparkle in his eyes - that my father experienced when spending time with his granddaughter, I see how he was when Sandy, Frank, Tara, and I were very young - the joy and love he felt for his children and his family, a love that would manifest itself in many different ways as we grew from babies to children, from children to teenagers, and from teenagers to adults. Above all else, my father was a man who loved his family. I would like to thank all of our friends and family who have supported and helped us in recent days, to those who have sent kind wishes and warm food. We would like to thank everyone who prayed for my father, including numerous prayer groups everywhere. Thank you to Father Tobin for being there for our family, for visting us on several occasions and helping us through this difficult time. And finally, a special thanks to Father Wayne and St Marguerite D'Youville parish for making available to the church hall in the basement after the mass. We invite all of you to join us downstairs, to celebrate the life of a man you truly and deeply, love his family. March 13, 2006Mr CareyHi to all the Carey family- Sorry I was only able to speak with Sandra and Tara and little Adriana at the funeral. I had to leave for another engagement at noon that day. I have so many great memories of all the 'gang'...I had each one of the four Carey children, in their turns in Senior Kindergarten. I'm sure you will all miss him terribly. What great memories Mark has set up on this web site. Great job! Take care and be MUST stop this terrible disease...I just lost my niece a year ago at age 41. It hurts. Nora Jones and family... March 7, 2006CondolencesDear Jackie and Children, Mrs Jones alerted me to MrCarey's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. I remember when I taught Frank and also Sandra Mr. Carey would come and sit quietly at interview time but you always could feel a sense of how proud he was of his children. I know he will be greatly missed. Yours sincerly Rita Cornell March 6, 2006CondolencesDear all, Lots of love Onu and Terry March 5, 2006The Carey FamilyI have only known the Carey family for a short time, however there has been many dinners where I was able to become familiar with Frank and his family. Through ups and downs there has always been closeness among the family. This obvious bond is shown through the traits each child and parent share: honesty, supportiveness, love, and the 'Carey Humility'. Even though Ted has passed it is clear that through Jackie, Mark, Tara, Frank and Sandy, his strength, character and spirit will continue on. March 2, 2006MY PROUD FATHERSince I was a young child my dad would take me down to the park to practice baseball. As a former pitcher himself, he would teach me his special pitch, “the T-C Special”. On one particular occasion when I was older, we were at the local diamond and I was practicing my pitching. Dad was never catcher as he would say, and instead of focusing on catching the ball, dad was intent on watching the spin of my pitch. The ball dropped just beneath his glove and bounced off the edge of the plate and knocked out his tooth. He persisted to make me continue practicing my pitching even when he was bleeding with no tooth. As a proud father, my dad went a whole year with his tooth missing. I remember him saying to people while pointing to his missing tooth, “look at what my daughter did”. Even though he looked silly, he was so proud of his daughter the pitcher. I will always remember your last words to me as I entered the hospital saying “Hi Dad it is me Sand”, he responded with his humorous way “I know its you, you were a sweet kid, but always threw like a girl”. I love you DAD. |
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