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Dad in the early 60’s

Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads out there – especially mine.

I’ve written about my Dad before here.

But with Father’s Day just around the corner, I feel a need to dig around some more in my treasure chest of yesterdays and pull out a few more memories.

My Dad is a simple man. I don’t mean simple-minded, just simple in needs.

A hard-working man who spent decades working at Kraft Foods, Canada in Montreal, Quebec.

He was a good provider.

And although not immediately obvious when first meeting him; Dad has more than one side.

The Collector

Dad sold part of his precious stamp collection so that he could make a down payment on our first family home.

Dad collects everything including, but not limited to: stamps, coins, license plates, antiques, military and police uniforms and badges, pins and pretty much everything he’s ever owned – much to Mom’s dismay!

Shock Value

A quiet man…well most times. Dad likes to push people out of their comfort zones…well kinda. I think I inherited this from him but I will spare you the incriminating photos. 😉

There was the time I came down for breakfast and Dad was reading the paper and drinking his coffee just like he always does.

Only this particular morning he was doing so in his underwear, undershirt, long-haired red wig and cowboy hat!

I stood there, mouth open, staring.

He looked at me, with a hint of a smirk pulling on the corners of his mouth, over his glasses and said, “What?”

Another time during one of the most powerful thunderstorms I’d ever witnessed, Dad went outside with an umbrella and watered the lawn.

I can’t even find words to describe the looks we got from neighbours!

The Cure for Everything

Most of you have probably seen ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ where the father’s cure for everything is Windex, right?

Well in our household, whether you had acne, sprained your ankle, got a painful sunburn, cut yourself shaving, had a cold sore, toothache, stomach-ache, earache, cramps in your leg, the hiccups, a bad cough, a runny nose, growing pains, a mole, a wart, a fat lip, a black eye, Chicken Pox, Tonsillitis, ingrown toenail, hang nail – you name it – there was only one sure cure.

He’d look at you and simply say, “Put Nivea on it.”

Kindness and Generosity.

Dad has a kind and generous heart.

Dad always tips well and has a good rapport with all the waitresses in the restaurants he frequents.

Many of them have known him for decades and he gets invites to weddings and other special occasions all the time.

It’s not unusual for him to slip me or another family member a couple of bucks now and then.

When you tell him it’s not necessary, his brow knits together and he says, “Ach come on just take it.”

Years ago when my friend’s Dad passed away, he put his hand on her shoulder and said, “If you want, I can be your Dad from now on.”

He still asks about her now and then and inquires about how she’s doing.

Hopefully I’ve inherited a bit of this side of him as well.

Dad at one of his favourite restaurants for breakfast

Dad surprising me on my 48th Birthday

The Mayor of Hawksbury honouring my parents on their 50th Anniversary

Mom and Dad at home

I hope you have a great Father’s Day Dad.

And even though I can’t be with you in person, know that I’m thinking of you and smiling.

What is your favourite ‘DAD’ memory? 

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