Boxes of Screws and a Lifetime of Friendship

Memories from Betty and Gary Bates

We remember the bonfires in the back yard and Big John telling his jokes.  I drove my tractor over to join in many times. 

WE remember every Saurday morning listening to him singing at the top of his voice in his garage.  

I remember him giving me boxes of screws hinges nuts and bolts and I still have some in my workshop today.

We remember the help he gave use around the house—drywall the roof in the garage which he thought was rather silly—installed the drop ceiling in our basement—installed plumbing in our laundry room and I still dont know how he got his big ass in such a small cupboard --Theo and him installing all electrical outlets in my workshop 

I still miss him showing up unanounced at the back door of my workshop—just to talk 

Even though we were 20 years apart we had a connection and we miss that  

We remember him shovelling snow off the roof and pulling shrub stumps out when I had my knee replacement. 

He loved his vodka—I could never find a big enough glass and always made sure we had a full 26er in the cupboard 

We remember the ice storm of 98 when him and Theo went door to door in our subdivision pumping out sump pumps.  

I remember 9-11 and being out at his house on the lake where him and Theo were building as addition on the house.  

We remember the  3 couples having dinner together many times.  So many stories told around the table. 

Such a fun loving guy—-----we miss you—-hugs from Betty and Garry  

p.s  St George st was never the same after you left