Goodbye Bill

Toronto Star: “NAZAR, Wasyl - Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at the St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto, in his 80th year. Beloved husband of Pauline. Loving father of Marie, Gabriel and his wife Irene, Elizabeth, Alexander and his wife Christine. Devoted grandfather of Stefan, Samantha and Nathan. Friends may call at the Cardinal Funeral Home, 92 Annette Street (near Keele) on Thursday from 6-9 p.m., with Panachida at 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2006 at 9:30 a.m., then to St. Josaphat's Cathedral for Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment to follow, Sanctuary Park Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations made to the Alzheimer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.cardinalfuneralhomes.com”

Bill was my neighbor. I didn’t really know him all that well – in fact, I didn’t that Bill wasn’t his real name until I read this, but I did enjoy talking to him when we ran into each other in the yard or out and about in the neighborhood. He always had a kind word or a joke. I’ll never forget his face when he saw me painting my house a bright pink color this past summer. It was primer I was putting on, and even though he invited me to leave it that awful hue, he seem quite please when the green and white replaced the pink a few weeks later.

I wish I’d seen the obituary earlier. Not knowing his family all that well, I didn’t really know how to ask them when the funeral was. I’d been hoping to run into one of them in the alley or on the sidewalk sometime over the last couple of days so I could try and tactfully find out when the service was. The alternative, marching up to their door and inquiring directly, just didn’t seem right. Now I almost wish I had done that – funny how a small amount of perspective changes intentions so much.

I hope Liz, Marie, Paul and the rest of the family get through this okay. We’ll be thinking of all of you.