Jim, Im sorry to hear that. I have so much to say but i really just went blank... That dash thing just hit me like a sack of bricks. I really needed that thanks, and my sincerest condolences.

Tonight was the first evening at the funeral home for my dad, and the show of support was absolutely tremendous. When I walked into the room my father was lying there, with what appeared to be a frown on his face. My nonna (grandmother) noticed he looked unhappy. As the night progressed and hundreds started showing up the spirit of the room lifted. The laughter the tears the memories...all of it.

When I went to say goodbye for tonight to my dad, he had a grin....a god honest grin on his face.

Made us all very happy to end the night. Tomorrow we continue....

if any one can understand i can see my dad had just passed on August 24 2003 aprom 1:30 am of a massive heart attack in his sleep! he was only 44 years old! im only 19 so at this point in life my dad is like my best friend the best advice i can give you is to hang in there,you and your family stick together and move on but only stronger and put him on a pedistal and dont let anybody kick him around make sure u stay out of trouble cuz otherwise he will come and kick your ***. i know that there is alot you wish you would or wouldnt have done but you have to let those feeling go. as for me my dad lived i ypsilani michigan and i live in se wi so its hard cuz r relationship was based on phone talks the last time i seen my dad was (at the funeral) in april 2003 JUST HANG IN THERE EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT :( FATHERS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTENFEEL FREE I PM ME CUZ IM NOT TAKEING WELL MY SELF!

Jim it broke my heart once again to read your post. Don’t know how you do it under these painful circumstances. Tonight, it was unimaginable yet so peaceful so see your father. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family.

I'm glad we got to see you this evening. I felt this remarkable vibe from you when we hugged like pals. It was mentally and emotionally powerful. I felt your strength as person, and your wonderful spirit. As time moves on and a different life begins, I look forward to being beside you every step of the way.

God bless.

Just reading post now... so sorry for your loss my friend. Time well help heal your loss and all the good memories will help u and your family pull thru this. If I can help in any way please let me know.

Kirk

Jim, ..Susan and I send our most sincere condolences, to you and yours.

First off, how does one describe a suprise. Shock, amazement, tears, laughter? How about all of the above...

Tonight as I walked into the last funeral home session for my dearly departed father, my mother beckoned me over, she had this look of amazement in her eyes, yes my dad was still sporting his frozen-in-time smirk, but more importantly...a beautiful heart shaped wreath was present....from, you guessed it BonnevilleClub.com

Tamara and Murdock, in their ever generous heart spearheaded an endeavour so moving, so thoughtful, it brought me to more tears. To see all those names listed, from all over Canada and the United States....it was just amazing. This kind gesture of love, sympathy, support and caring will be remembered forever. The integrity of the people involved in this website is so moving, words cannot describe.

Thank you so much....all of you, the listed names on all 3 cards, plus the kind condolences posted in this thread and all the members in general you are all just wonderful.

Thanks again....

Throughout mankind'* history, it is a man'* first and foremost priority to extend his progeny into the future. To teach, to perfect, to help mold his children, particularly his sons, to be well-respected, well-rounded gentlemen. It has become more than apparent to me that your father, who is all of these, lives on in you. My greatest condolences to your loss. Always hold dear what you have gained.

As I make my final post in this thread, several coincidental items came to mind. I was driving back to the funeral home tonight to get the last of my fathers pictures when I made some interesting observations.

He died at age 47, my moms favourite 2 numbers were: 4 and 7, my brother who is active in sports, plays with number 4, I play with number 7. If I cannot get 4 or 7, I get...yup...11. Ironically the day we laid my father to rest. The 11th day.

The world works in mysterious ways :?

For the record, his funeral was absolutely beautiful. Over 850 people RAMMED the church, my dad'* company Yamaha Canada Music, closed their Toronto office to attend his funeral. My brothers hockey team donned their away black jerseys and formed an honour guard at the driveway of the church and again at the cemetary. My co-workers, my friends, my family, my moms clients, neighbours, relatives, children, parents, members of the church community all came to share memories and tears. My dads company director gave a teary speech of my father and his impact on his second family at work. Then my uncle Joe bravely spoke the words of my mother and I. We wrote out my dads eulogy last night and stayed up until 2am perfecting it.

The most moving scene was to have the majority of the mass goers come to the cemetary, as the hearst and our limo pulled up all the guests formed an enormous circle around the open plot. My dad is laid to rest in a new section of the cemetary, so no gravestones are placed yet. Anyway, as my immediate family exited the limo, this massive semi-circle of almost 800 converged on his casket, never breaking formation. Truly breathtaking.

If I become half the man that my departed father was....I will have lived a successful life. Now, lets turn it up and around. Lets put a smile on our faces, life goes on!!

Thanks for reading and long live BonnevilleClub, you folks rule the roost

Welcome back, Padwan. Good to see the force is still with you