Brian Evans,
March 13, 2012
Some of you have been in this place
before…and I am sure you pondered the same question….
How can you
satisfactorily communicate the impact your father, and his life, has had on you
in just a few words or moments…? In our
case, as in many, I don’t think it is possible…nor do we want to keep you here
as long as it would take. So let us try
to highlight a few memories and share a few thoughts contributed in part by
each of Dad’s children.
Growing up, we always knew of Dad’s love
and provision for each of us. Life was
good! We did not always have a lot..but
we had enough. Dad would take the change
from his pocket, jingle it in his hand and say “You see this? This is between me and the poor house!” But we always knew about the other pocket!!
Dad made it a priority to teach us to
respect truth. We would learn to
understand & do what was right …one way or the other…use your imagination
on learning the other way!!
Dad, enjoyed fun and fellowship with family
and friends. The relationships made in
these times together, with so many
related or non-related families became life long connections. We kids consider their kids some of our
closest friends even today.
There are so many special memories of
camping as a family at provincial parks in Ontario and Thanksgiving picnics at
Sibbalds Point. …Skipping rocks and
photos taken of the family sitting on the big willow tree that hung over the
water…. How could we ever forget
travelling all across Canada on our two major family trips to see our
country? Singing around the campfire
often gathered others from neighbouring campsites that would come to see if
they could join us.
Dad had us all organized. Remember that retired couple who came across
the road from their campsite and congratulated the family. They said they could not believe what they
had just witnessed…”this van pulls up, the doors fly open, an endless number of
kids jump out, in twenty minutes, the tents are up, beds are made, the fire was
set, Mom was cooking supper, the table is set, clothes line is up drying the
swimming suits from lunch time swim, all the kids are playing catch or
exploring around and Dad is checking the tire pressure and the oil in the
van.” They had never seen anything like
it before. It is probably no wonder
that most of us in the family find ourselves organizing things even today…we
had a great teacher.
We remember that Dad was very practical and
taught us how to do things around the house…the right way to sweep the floor,
cleaning the bathrooms, cleaning your tools and putting them back so you know
where they are for next time, how to break in a new Bible or book to protect
the binding, how to deal with money and about respecting others. He taught us to think practically, seek
knowledge and discern wisdom.
Remember how Dad would say, “Use
your head….it is the little things that count!”
Dad tried to protect the dignity of others
and help those who were vulnerable. So
many knew they could turn to Dad for advice because he could be trusted. He was not afraid to stand up for the truth
as he understood it from Scripture, even though it may not be popular. He was not afraid to take on a job that no
one else wanted because it was the right thing to do.
I remember attending meetings with Dad. Sometimes there would be a situation when the
group was at an impasse. There was no
clear path and no resolution apparent.
Dad would stand up, paint the big picture for all to envision and then
suggest a resolution that totally made sense.
I was so proud of my Father and amazed at how he did that….and I wanted
to learn to emulate that in my life.
Remember Saturdays with Hockey Night in
Canada? How could we forget? Rushing through our turn in the bath during
intermission…clean pajamas on….and back in the living room before the next
period started…not sure we were totally clean…but we had got wet!! Remember Dad coaching the UBC church hockey
team…and in the early years with Uncle Ross and Uncle Floyd playing on it…an
impassable defense pair?
I remember wanting to play hockey in the
local house league. When I enquired of
Dad, he said that he was not going to be responsible to get me up and take me
to the arena early each Saturday morning.
After I assured him that he would not need to do this, he agreed to let
me sign up. I Gathered up my equipment
and headed for the arena each Saturday morning.
I think it was 2 or 3 weeks later… I looked to the end of the arena
during a game and saw Dad standing there watching. He wasn’t there when the game was over so I
changed and went home. No one else was
up, but Dad was in the kitchen making bacon & eggs so that I would have
something to eat before I went to work at the IGA. That special memory will be with me always.
We remember that when we wanted to talk to
Dad about a decision we were making, we would need to be fully prepared before
we approached Dad. Dad would ask you
what you thought about this decision.
Then he would ask several questions that made you think about the various
aspects of the decision. By the time you
had answered all his questions, you pretty much had figured out what you were
going to do.
Through family devotions, listening to him
preach and hearing conversations with the people he met, we all realized early
in life that the Word of God was important to him. He believed what the Bible said. As a Gideon for many years, he was active in
giving these Words of Life to many. Even
while he was in the hospital over the last 9 months, Dad asked for some New Testaments
so he could have them available in case he needed to give one to a visitor or
medical staff. This was a significant
life lesson. I remember thinking to
myself that I wanted to believe in this too…I wanted to have a Christian life
mission and ministry just like my Dad.
He lived his faith! Over the last
few days, so many of you mentioned to us how you would stop and talk to Dad on
the sidewalk in front of his house and how you looked forward to these
conversations. An amazing ministry of
encouragement….right in front of his own house!
The family,
probably all have memories of Dad starting maple trees in flower
pots, that would end up transplanted at
someone’s house because “it would be nice to have a tree right there in the
yard…don’t you think?” Dad helped to
plant trees along the Kloosterman’s
drive way. When Dad was at their
house, he would walk to each tree and talk about the growth, the right soil,
the need to prune it so it would grow properly and would explain how the roots
first grow deep so that the tree can reach for the sky. Dad would talk about how God’s word needs to
take deep root in our lives so that we can spiritually grow to new
heights. Some of those trees on the
Kloosterman’s driveway now stand 50 feet tall.
Dad, talked often about the impact his
mother, Gladys Evans, had on his life and that at her knee as a young child he
came to understand faith and give his life to Jesus Christ. Years later as a teenager he experienced a
recommitment of this conviction to serve his Saviour, at a Youth for Christ
Rally held in the Music Hall in Uxbridge.
Charles Templeton was the speaker.
This commitment changed and affected his path in life. He had a life long desire to help those he
met and a passion to encourage them towards faith in God.
I had the wonderful privilege to follow
Dad’s footsteps in the business he and Mom started in 1965. When I purchased the business in 1994, some
clients made it clear to me, in no uncertain terms, that just because I was
Dad’s son didn’t mean that I would avoid being tested to see if I could be
trusted! I was on probation! So many times over the years and especially
in the last few days, clients have expressed their sincere appreciation for
Dad’s help to put their personal finances on the right track and to discuss the
truth about other life & family issues.
I would like to pass along a message, that
I believe Dad would want his family to hear today. You need to know how much he appreciated each
of you. Your constant contact and expressions
of love were amazing to say the least.
Mom, Dad was never more comforted and at ease then when you were in his
room with him…especially these last weeks.
And when you brought his dog ‘Rev’…those were special visits. We probably shouldn’t talk about the times we
caught you, Dad and sometimes Rev, all sleeping in the hospital bed. I didn’t know if that was legal…but
whatever! You were there with him almost
every day, yet he still asked about you often and wanted to know if you were
coming soon.
Larry, you were so faithful to visit when you were in Ontario and Dad
anticipated and enjoyed your almost daily calls or messages on his answering
machine. It is really fun to watch the
blog you have set up in memory of Dad and all the contributions added daily by
you and the family.
Nancy, you came so often to visit and help Dad. He loved the hymns sung to Darcy’s guitar
music and the meaningful scriptures you shared.
Susan, Dad enjoyed your help and visits… especially with Lilly, Olivia’s
dog. He talked about ‘Lilly’ so much
afterwards, ..even though once I think he thought she was a cat.
Marg, you and family came twice, all the way from India to help with
Dad’s care. He so appreciated you and your love.
Mary, Dad enjoyed the wonderful report of your trip to Wales and the
photos of family heritage sites. He was
kept warm and comforted by the afghan you lovingly knitted for him.
Linda, you travelled here twice last year to help in so many practical
ways using the skills you have learned over the years… and of course play your
flute so beautifully as you do.
Joan, no one put more effort and love into your meticulous management of
Dad’s medical care and staffing. All the
time and resources you needed to commit to Dad was extensive and was given so
freely and lovingly. Your desire that
Dad have the best chance of recovery was very evident to him and all the
family. You made sure that all of us had
our own opportunity to connect to Dad personally, and talk to him, even from a
distance.
Thank you so much, Joan, from all of us!
Our spouses were always there for Dad…
visiting with us, sending messages to Dad or helping with his care. To you, Dad had become a second father. You know he appreciated and loved you all
very much.
So many emails, visits and music from
Grandchildren, from extended family and friends…Dad knew he was really
loved. He knew he had the amazing
support of a very wonderful family all around him.
On several occasions, Dad clearly stated
that he was so upset to be causing so much care and extra work for the
family. We assured him that we loved him
and counted it a privilege to be there, for him, at this time. He would then clearly state how much he
appreciate all of you and appreciated all you were doing to help him. Please know that he knew of your care, that
he loved you, that he was very proud of you, that he enjoyed your presence and
that he was very thankful.
It has been so hard to watch Dad struggle
through the changes in his abilities to manage and accomplish things over the last
few years. Things that were second
nature to him became more challenging.
Although, he did not want to bother anyone and reach out for assistance,
he did learn that his family wanted desperately to be there for him…and they
were. For someone who had always been in
control and somewhat independent we watched him let us help. These last nine months have been especially
difficult for him. At times Dad could
not understand why God did not answer his prayer and allow him to leave this
world. As a family, we wanted Dad to get
better but after a valiant effort we came to realize that it was not to
be. On Tuesday morning, March 6th,
Mom and the family had gathered around him…some in person…some via cell
phones. We were singing some of his
favourite hymns. At 8:30 AM, just as we
started to sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” , the place Jesus had gone to
prepare for Dad was ready. The Saviour
he believed in and served through his life came and received Dad’s spirit into
His loving arms. Dad peacefully closed
his eyes and was gone.
Dad you handed off a faith baton for each
of us in your family to carry in our life race.
As hard as it is… we say goodbye…but only until we meet again…and we
will!!
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