Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Dear Marie ("Mawsy"), Kent, Jill and your extended family, It was with the greatest of sadness I learned of Bob's ("Pawsy's") passing on Monday, February 18, 2008. Fifty years have passed since the "crowd" we were all part of ran together during that wonderful and memorable summer of 1958. Many of us went our separate and disparate ways across this great country at the end of that summer and, except for a few short visits since, have had limited contact with one another. I was able last summer to return and attend the Howick 150th Anniversary celebration and renew many old friendships, borne out of those wonderful times growing up around Gorrie. As it turns out the brief visit with you and Paswy has so much more significance now since it would be my last visit with Pawsy. The loss you will be feeling now is no doubt intense. Time will lessen that pain. Nothing, however, will diminish the wonderful and cherished memories you have of your life and time with Pawsy. Those memories will continue to sustain you for the rest of your lives. When we spoke this morning, Marie, I asked that you say "Goodbye My Friend" to Bob for me. Thank you for doing so. The logisics of getting out of the British Columbia interior in the middle of winter simply preclude me from being able to attend the funeral on Friday, but my thoughts will be with you. With my deepest condolences, Your Friend, Gerry "Bergen" AUSTIN
