Comments on: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish. http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/ The Les Becker Blog: Writer (fiction, non-fiction, story-telling, memories, screenplays, radioplays, lyrics, ghost-writing, magazine articles, tourism and event promotion) and amateur photographer from Northern Ontario. Looking to escape Northern Ontario. Rescue me. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:34:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Les http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-12154 Les Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:32:59 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-12154 <em>In two days' time, my father will have been dead for two months. Sometimes, it seems that he's been gone forever. At other times, I have to hang up the phone mid-dial, because I have a question for him, and I've forgotten he's not there to answer the phone. I still get cards, and emails, and phone calls from friends wanting to send condolences. My dad knew, loved and touched a lot of people. Following, is a message of thanks that my family posted in various newspapers several weeks after Dad died. I'm not sure yet who wrote it, but I think it's most likely to have been my mother and sister "Tootie's" work. <strong><center>Words cannot begin to express our heartfelt thanks for the kindess shown to us during the recent loss of a husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa Matthew Falls. Many thanks to Mrs. Robertson and staff of Pathways Retirement Home for the care and kindness shown over the past three years. The family will always have a special place in our hearts for the many good memories you have given us. Dr. Poitevin and Janice, thank you for the care given to Dad over the years. Dr. Barbeau, thank you for the care and compassion shown to Dad and the family. To Algoma Manor staff, although the time spent with you was short, we appreciate deeply the care and concern shown by each and every one of you, and for making Dad's last days as comfortable as possible. Thank you for the food, floral tributes and donations made on Dad's behalf. Thank you to the Masonic Lodge for the beautiful service - Dad thought highly of the Masons and was a proud member. To Reverend Porter, thank you for the beautiful service which we will carry in our hearts. To Elizabeth Rebekah Lodge, thank you for the wonderful lunch you provided after the funeral. A very special thank you to all the dear friends and relatives who traveled near and far to be with us during this difficult time. To the pallbearers - Dad would have been proud to have such a great group carry him to his final resting place. To Loyal Beggs and staff, thank you so much for your help and expert guidance in arranging the funeral and bringing us all our ultimate goal of closure in the most dignified way possible. A very special thank you to Susie and Tim for their music. We all know Dad's love of music and he would have really enjoyed you both playing and singing his favourites. As we move on, we have many, many wonderful memories of a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather - a man we will all miss and a man who will never be forgotten, but we believe is in a better place and has found peace. Sincerely, and with our thanks, Maude Falls, Ken, Velma, Karen, Aubrey, Les and families. </center></strong></em> In two days’ time, my father will have been dead for two months.

Sometimes, it seems that he’s been gone forever. At other times, I have to hang up the phone mid-dial, because I have a question for him, and I’ve forgotten he’s not there to answer the phone.

I still get cards, and emails, and phone calls from friends wanting to send condolences. My dad knew, loved and touched a lot of people.

Following, is a message of thanks that my family posted in various newspapers several weeks after Dad died. I’m not sure yet who wrote it, but I think it’s most likely to have been my mother and sister “Tootie’s” work.

Words cannot begin to express our heartfelt thanks for the kindess shown to us during the recent loss of a husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa Matthew Falls.

Many thanks to Mrs. Robertson and staff of Pathways Retirement Home for the care and kindness shown over the past three years. The family will always have a special place in our hearts for the many good memories you have given us.

Dr. Poitevin and Janice, thank you for the care given to Dad over the years.

Dr. Barbeau, thank you for the care and compassion shown to Dad and the family.

To Algoma Manor staff, although the time spent with you was short, we appreciate deeply the care and concern shown by each and every one of you, and for making Dad’s last days as comfortable as possible.

Thank you for the food, floral tributes and donations made on Dad’s behalf.

Thank you to the Masonic Lodge for the beautiful service – Dad thought highly of the Masons and was a proud member.

To Reverend Porter, thank you for the beautiful service which we will carry in our hearts.

To Elizabeth Rebekah Lodge, thank you for the wonderful lunch you provided after the funeral.

A very special thank you to all the dear friends and relatives who traveled near and far to be with us during this difficult time.

To the pallbearers – Dad would have been proud to have such a great group carry him to his final resting place.

To Loyal Beggs and staff, thank you so much for your help and expert guidance in arranging the funeral and bringing us all our ultimate goal of closure in the most dignified way possible.

A very special thank you to Susie and Tim for their music. We all know Dad’s love of music and he would have really enjoyed you both playing and singing his favourites.

As we move on, we have many, many wonderful memories of a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather – a man we will all miss and a man who will never be forgotten, but we believe is in a better place and has found peace.

Sincerely, and with our thanks,

Maude Falls,
Ken, Velma, Karen, Aubrey, Les
and families.

]]> By: Les http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11531 Les Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:09:39 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11531 <em>Thanks, everyone, for continuing to send your good wishes. Ky and I went down to visit my Mom last week, and to the graveyard. It's very odd to stand in front of an as yet unmarked grave - that's when it's hardest to believe that he's gone, for some reason. Your comments continue to comfort me. Thank you.</em> Thanks, everyone, for continuing to send your good wishes. Ky and I went down to visit my Mom last week, and to the graveyard. It’s very odd to stand in front of an as yet unmarked grave – that’s when it’s hardest to believe that he’s gone, for some reason.

Your comments continue to comfort me. Thank you.

]]> By: JMorris http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11527 JMorris Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:13:14 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11527 Thank you for sharing this experience with us. I wanted to write something poignant here to underscore the impact of one person's life. However, I'm so filled with emotion right now that the words escape me. Thank you for sharing this with us. It has been a blessing. May your footsteps be guide by the Lord and your heart comforted by those waiting for you in Heaven. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.

I wanted to write something poignant here to underscore the impact of one person’s life. However, I’m so filled with emotion right now that the words escape me.

Thank you for sharing this with us. It has been a blessing.

May your footsteps be guide by the Lord and your heart comforted by those waiting for you in Heaven.

]]> By: Louise http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11209 Louise Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:17:00 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11209 Excellent post. My deepest condolences, but what a story. I'm so glad you have so much to tell. Saw this at Authorblog and the title caught my attention (didn't like the movie so much, but the book kept me guffawing). Your story brought a tear to my eye and made me giggle at the same time. A life well-lived. Who can ask for more? Excellent post. My deepest condolences, but what a story. I’m so glad you have so much to tell.

Saw this at Authorblog and the title caught my attention (didn’t like the movie so much, but the book kept me guffawing). Your story brought a tear to my eye and made me giggle at the same time.

A life well-lived. Who can ask for more?

]]> By: Les http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11118 Les Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:23:22 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11118 <em>My dad has been gone for over a week now - I find the realization is starting to smack me in the forehead at unexpected moments, now that I'm not surrounded by family. My mom is noticing that, too, so I guess it's a normal part of things. Flowers and cards and letters are still trickling in - it amazes me, the number of people he knew. Thank you all for the comments; it's both heart-warming and comforting to read and reread them when I'm having one of "those moments".</em> My dad has been gone for over a week now – I find the realization is starting to smack me in the forehead at unexpected moments, now that I’m not surrounded by family. My mom is noticing that, too, so I guess it’s a normal part of things.

Flowers and cards and letters are still trickling in – it amazes me, the number of people he knew. Thank you all for the comments; it’s both heart-warming and comforting to read and reread them when I’m having one of “those moments”.

]]> By: Cindy http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11093 Cindy Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:40:22 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11093 Oh Les, I'm so sorry to read about your loss. Your Dad sounds like mine- he never says the words either, but we know anyway- it's in the things that aren't said. I'm so glad you have all these memories to treasure until the time when you see your Dad again. He sounds like one amazing man. Remember that phrase "pie in the sky"? I bet anything your Dad is saving you a piece of pie. Oh Les, I’m so sorry to read about your loss. Your Dad sounds like mine- he never says the words either, but we know anyway- it’s in the things that aren’t said. I’m so glad you have all these memories to treasure until the time when you see your Dad again. He sounds like one amazing man. Remember that phrase “pie in the sky”? I bet anything your Dad is saving you a piece of pie.

]]> By: Aimee http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11068 Aimee Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:56:23 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11068 I'm sorry. And I'm glad you have the stories and the, "Quit trying to steal my pie." It'll help you smile. I’m sorry. And I’m glad you have the stories and the, “Quit trying to steal my pie.” It’ll help you smile.

]]> By: Pat http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11057 Pat Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:54:32 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11057 I'm sorry to hear about your loss, thoughts and prayers to you and your family. The photograph is so beautiful. I know how hard it is for some people to utter those words. I'm glad how you recognized how much he loved all of you with different words and gestures. Take care. I’m sorry to hear about your loss, thoughts and prayers to you and your family. The photograph is so beautiful. I know how hard it is for some people to utter those words. I’m glad how you recognized how much he loved all of you with different words and gestures. Take care.

]]> By: Michelle http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11053 Michelle Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:15:50 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11053 Les, My Mom read about your Dad in the paper so I thought I should check your blog. What wonderful memories you have shared. He sounds like an amazing person. It is great that you have such great tales to tell in order to honour your father. I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Love, Michelle Les,
My Mom read about your Dad in the paper so I thought I should check your blog. What wonderful memories you have shared. He sounds like an amazing person. It is great that you have such great tales to tell in order to honour your father. I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Love, Michelle

]]> By: Anna http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/2008/07/22/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish/comment-page-1/#comment-11033 Anna Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:40:45 +0000 http://lesbecker.com/LesBlog/?p=119#comment-11033 Sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad sounds like he was quite a guy. I couldn't help but smile at “Hey, you. Quit tryin’ to steal my pie.” It sounds like you have some wonderful memories. I couldn't help but be reminded of my grandpa. He wasn't a very demonstrative person, either, but we always knew he loved us. The last time I saw him in the nursing home, I gave him a hug before leaving, and he hugged back. I was glad I hadn't let that chance go by. The only other time I can remember hugging him was on my wedding day, though he wasn't real comfortable with it that time. Sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad sounds like he was quite a guy. I couldn’t help but smile at “Hey, you. Quit tryin’ to steal my pie.” It sounds like you have some wonderful memories.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of my grandpa. He wasn’t a very demonstrative person, either, but we always knew he loved us. The last time I saw him in the nursing home, I gave him a hug before leaving, and he hugged back. I was glad I hadn’t let that chance go by. The only other time I can remember hugging him was on my wedding day, though he wasn’t real comfortable with it that time.

]]>