Tribute to Dad

He was born with the name Douwe, but he was most commonly known as Doug, Douglas, Uncle Doug, Om Douwe, Dad – but his favorite name was Opa.

Anyone who knew my father’s character knew he liked to teach you a lesson.  My sisters and I and his grandchildren have been taught many lessons in life from him.  His lessons required a sharp mind, sometimes it got intense, but the lessons were never the same and always involved a game – especially card games.  Our family favorite was cribbage. 

You see he would lead you to believe that whatever game you were going to play with him, that he would reign champion and you would learn from your mistakes.  Therefore he taught you a lesson.

When we were kids, he was the master-game-player, and he was good – but as we grew up we were harder for him to beat, after all the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, so the competitive game playing would last all day and well into the evening.  He loved that!

Dad was a butcher and he worked as a meat manager at the Tillsonburg IGA for over 25 years.  He was a people person and a firm believer in Service Quality.  His gregarious personality was magnetic; he always got away with telling a joke.  I remember Dad coming home from work and after dinner we would sit at the dining room table adding his columns and columns of numbers of meat quotas and sales percentages in his head.  He always added the numbers in his head because it was faster and more accurate than any calculator.  He was an adding machine!

You would think a man with a wife and three daughters would have a hard time keeping everyone in check, especially when we went to the malls in London to go shopping together.  Dad hated it when we spent money, so five minutes into the shopping spree he would whistle for us to come to him and he wouldn’t stop whistling until we came running.  It wasn’t just any whistle - it was his signature whistle.  (whistle)  It sounded way better than that and when you were in a store it sounded like it was coming over the loud speakers.

Dad always had a special twinkle in his eyes, whether it was because he was winning at cribbage, singing or laughing at his own joke – whatever it was it was his love for life!

Dad was always great with faces and terrible with names.  He would call my sisters and I one name and it was always; Lindafrancyleslie.  Oh and our husbands and partners – forget that, he just called them all buddy.  On the telephone he would ask about my daughter and say, “how’s the little girl?”

Dad loved his gardening, the showmanship of his beautiful flowers, and at Christmas the decorations outside were a showstopper.   We would tease him and call him Mr. Light Bright.  His sanctuary in the summer was to sit under the shape of his tree facing his fishpond.  He loved nature – he was a butterfly – a very social butterfly.  He had his routine.  Monday through Friday he would leave the house at 9:00 am to meet his coffee buddies at Tim Horton’s – and they say women are gossipers.  His calendar was full with singing practices and card games at the senior center.  His evenings were strictly reserved for his time with mama – that’s the time mom would teach him a lesson while watching the Wheel of Fortune. 

I would now like to take this opportunity to address dad’s five grandchildren and his great grand daughter.

Brent, Opa knew how incredibly talented and creative you are, he especially loved your clever wit, not to mention your singing voice.  Your theatrical plays made him burst with pride.

Derek, When you look at a picture of Opa at your age – you are a spit and image of him.  There are so many similarities like in sport.  You are a phenomenal middle distance runner just like he was.  You both have a passion for soccer – and on the hockey rink your goal scoring and play-making abilities gives you a thumbs up.

Madison, You sang “You Are My Sunshine” at Opa and Oma’s 50th wedding anniversary sooo sincerely.  When Opa was in the hospital last summer you brought him a rock.  When you are older honey you will understand the symbolism of this incredible gift.  It gave him strength.

Ashley, You are so fortunate to have lived with Opa and Oma for three months.  He got to see you everyday.  You are a kind soul and Opa will always live inside your heart.  Thank you for being his lifeline.

Lance, Opa lived his life through you.  He was your number one fan.  He embraced you and loved you and watched you grow from a boy to a man with pride.

Soliel, You are only 4 months old, but you got the honor of sitting on Opa’s lap while he sang, “De Boer zat op zyn paard.”  It’s a Dutch song and it was his trademark with children, and he got to sing it to three generations.

Mom, Dad loved you so much and he is right -  you are beautiful inside and out.

Dad, From your daughters we love you – and behalf of your friends and family, I want to say to you….

Thank you for the lesson!