Ian Morrison

My amazing dad died on July 22, 2013. It was less than 4 months after my mom died of the same hideous disease – what else, cancer.

Mercifully for him, the journey didn’t take long and amazingly he had no pain. I took my last road trip with my dad last Monday when we went to Kelowna to see about radiation treatments. He was already hospitalized and had great difficulty speaking. He rode in the ambulance and I followed.

We had to wait a long time at the cancer clinic but we had a private room, and had this gave us plenty of time to communicate. After the doctor left it was clear to both my dad and I that there was not much we could do. In his weakened “Cartman” voice he held my hand and said ”
“Not too many options.”

We hugged and I cried, and ever the good father, he did his best to console me.

I think with this news he decided what his path would be, and let things take their course. The next morning he was very weak, not quite awake ever, and that was they day he was moved to the Hospice.

My dad was a private man, quiet and unassuming. He was happy to let my mother be the shining star, out there, bubbly and vivacious, the perfect counterpoint to his laid back, observer, and analyzer of everything demeanour.

I want to honour is preference for quiet determination, and humility, but at the same time there are so many things the world needs to know about my dad. His quiet ways many times masked his strength and his own wonderful style. Unlike my mom, only a few close friends knew my dad well, and others he knew should know of just how great a man they were associated with.

Thank you dad for all your gifts, you are our treasure. we are greatly comforted in the belief that you and mom will be together once more.