Category Archives: Something About Us

Something About Us

Vern's obituary

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VernPam’s family have posted an obituary online, via the Calgary Sun.

Here is a link to the online version.

I’m going to put in the text here, because I know the online version will someday be unavailable, and I think it needs to be preserved.

Vern AmeroAMERO, Vernon James – September 18, 1925 – February 22, 2011 It is with great sadness that the family of Vern announce his sudden passing. He is survived by his wife Barb of fifty-five years; daughters Pam (Maurice), Cathy (Roland) and son Peter.

He was predeceased by wonderful parents, Mary and Donald Amero of Digby County, Nova Scotia. He is also predeceased by cherished siblings, Lillie, Joseph (Bosie), Dorothy, Blanche, Lenis, Lloyd and Percy. Also left to mourn are his loving sister Emelie (Millie) of Digby, brother Donny and his wife of Wood’s Harbour, N.S., many nieces and nephews and other family who loved him.

A special recognition to the staff of Swiss Chalet and Calgary Co-op Westhills for jokes exchanged and your kindness to dad over the decades. You were so much more to him than a place to go.

Many thanks to Dr. Botha, Annie and staff as well as Rockyview General professionals who cared for him.

Dad was a career soldier having served in the Canadian army with immense pride from November 1943 to May 1947 and again from May of 1951 to March of 1979. He was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the War Medal 1939-45, the Canadian Force decoration and clasp, among others. He also served many years as a Commissionaire.

Dad enjoyed woodworking, making beautiful detailed doll houses complete with curtains he made himself. In later years, he loved to work on word find books, go out with family to eat and shop and never missed listening to a “Flames” game. Dad was quick to write a letter but had a funny quirk in that when he was convinced he was owed a letter he was more than willing to “wait ’em out”.

Dad had a real love for dogs. He had a great sense of humour even while he struggled with chronic health problems. He was a great dad to us and always had a smile. His favourite saying was: “Better than a kick with a frozen mukluk!”

A religious man in his heart, we wish him peace and offer our thanks to be a part of a beautiful life lived.

Simple cremation with no service by his request is imminent. Please honour him with a kind remembrance or a prayer and a cup of tea.

We love you Dad!

Something About Us

More about Vern

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Peter and VernHere is a picture of Vern and his son Peter. I’ve always liked this picture. It’s been on our fridge for I don’t know how long. I’m not even sure where it is taken. I think near Banff.

Vern AmeroPeter sent me this picture of Vern in an email last night. It was taken with a cell phone, at the Rockyview hospital, just an hour before he passed away. All the kids have asked me to post this, as this is how they want to remember him – smiling and happy.

Doe mentioned that she had lost her father at eight years old. It certainly does remind one just how lucky they can be to have their parents live to a ripe old age.

Health Issues, Something About Us

Pam's father, Vernon J. Amero

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Vern AmeroLast night we got a phone call just shortly after nine pm. It was from Pam’s brother. Their father had passed away just minutes earlier. He was 85 years old.

He had been having some health related issues recently, so it was not a total shock, but still unexpected at this time. He did not suffer, and the hospital stay was mercifully short.

Pam and her fatherVern was a great guy. Simple, loving and lovable. He took great pride in his children. He loved to send letters, and his letters were homey, interesting and sweet. He wasn’t afraid to express his emotions, and it was nice to know that he cared so much for the people around him. He spoke often of the love for his wife, for his son who provided so much comfort to him, and he was happy that his daughters had found love in their lives too.

Vern in uniformAs a young man Vern lied about his age so he could join the military. He served in the medical corp for much of his career, and retired to Calgary, where he lived quietly. He loved to make doll houses, complete with miniature furniture.

I remember when Pam and I first moved in together, before we were married, he was the first person who knocked on our door. He brought with him a stool he had made, (our first piece of furniture!) and then we sat around on the floor while he regaled us with jokes and card tricks. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and his ability to turn a card trick was amazing.

He had a long life, and was blessed with good health throughout much of it.  We will miss him very much.

Pam has flown home to be with her family at this difficult time.

Holidays, Something About Us

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

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Christmas 2010Pam and Max and I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas! It’s been a tough year for us, but it’s been a good year too. When someone mentions that they’ve had a tough time, people will respond, “at least you have your health.” And that has been the reason for such a bad year. We’ve seen the insides of so many doctor’s waiting rooms, we could probably become designers for waiting rooms!

Merry Christmas!Pam is holding up well, and we’re going to focus on positive things, not negative things. The cancer was caught early, it’s small, and the doctors are optimistic and the prognosis is very good.

So friends – have a great Christmas! Rejoice in the things that went well. Enjoy being with family and friends. Tell someone you love them. Take the time to smile at strangers.

Here is a movie of our light show this year. We got home late from our vacation this year, and I really didn’t get a great show going. It’s a little subdued from previous years, but next year I promise to knock it out of the park! If you turn up your sound, you should hear the music that the lights flash on and off to…

Oh – we found a little Christmas bag on our doorstep this morning. In it was some home made short bread cookies, and a note thanking us for “sharing our Holiday Cheer with your Festive display of Lights!” Isn’t that swell!? Made my day! What a sweet thing to do! Thanks!

Something About Us

Pacman

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PacmanGoogle celebrated Pac-Man’s 30th anniversary by showing the Pac-Man doodle on its front page for 48 hours. They made it available in a javascript, and now here it is!

Use the arrow keys to move the pac-man around and click the link twice to include a 2nd player (which uses the A,S,W,D keys to move around).

[pacman]

Something About Us, Vacations

Coming through the Rockies

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Big Horn sheepWe drove home from Calgary yesterday. The roads were very good, and we made very good time. The construction didn’t really affect things, even though there is a lot of roadwork going on just after Banff. As we approached Golden I noticed a herd of Bighorn Sheep and we quickly pulled over as soon as we could.

In the RockiesI was able to get a short movie of them. It’s a bit jerky, but fun nevertheless! Where you see them jump over the barrier, one of them ran across the road and up a steep slope. The traffic all stopped to let him go across.

herd_of_bighornAt the end of the movie, you can see several of them looking across the highway. They were looking for the single guy who ran up the slope. They waited for him on the side they were on, looking quite concerned, until he came down the slope and scampered across the road to rejoin his mates! Quite sweet…

The whole bunch of them then left the highway and descended quickly down a slope.

Something About Us

My Dad's 80th Birthday

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Karen and DadWe drove to Calgary to be with my Dad for his 80th birthday celebration. We took two days to get there, and it was a nice easy drive. The roads were good, and traffic was light.

The cakeKaren had arranged a great get together for the family and close friends at the Calgary Winter Club. It was held in a great room with a terrific view of the downtown Calgary skyline. We started with a couple drinks, milling about and chatting. It was good to see the family after such a long absence.

Dinner was a great three course meal, served by professional staff. David emceed the ceremonies, and everything went smoothly. Loreen had a terrific cake made with a picture of Dad as a young man, looking sharp! A very fitting end to the day!

It was a nice time, and I’m really glad we managed to get home for it.

Congrats Dad!