Tag Archives: Vern

Something About Us

Remembrance Day 2014

November 11, 2014 Maurice 5 Comments

Here is a poem written by Pam’s Dad, Vernon Amero.

DON’T FORGET FLANDERS FIELD

Flanders Field where our brave men and women lay;
Where they died for freedom, we enjoy today.

Our men and women, we shall never forget;
on Remembrance Day, shake the hand of a Vet.

As years go by, and our parades diminish;
what someone else started our Veterans finished.

Let’s teach our children, what war was all about;
and when they see the parade, there will be no doubt.

Teach them to pray, there will be no more war;
and to always remember, those that went before.

Something About Us

Akebono Cherry Tree

April 13, 2011 Maurice 1 Comment

This year we purchased an Akebono Cherry tree from the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival committee. They try to get Vancouverites to plant cherry trees each spring. Vancouver has a long history of cherry trees, and there is a yearly festival. About 85 years ago, a Japanese immigrant donated two hundred trees to beautify Vancouver. Nowadays, streets are lined with the beautiful blossoms. It’s a stunningly gorgeous way to enter spring!

We decided to plant this tree in memory of Vern, Pam’s father, who recently passed away. He was cremated, and didn’t want a burial plot, but we felt that we wanted to do something to honor his memory. The tree is about six or seven feet tall right now, but it grows quite quickly. We’re hopeful it will flourish here, and give us much joy for years to come.

We took a few other pictures around the garden. Many years ago, when we lived in Vancouver, our next door neighbour had grape hyacinths growing. Some dropped over his retaining wall onto our property. Slowly, I transplanted them, stretching them out until they encircled our our whole yard, across the front yard, down both sides, and along both sides of the walkway, and along the front of the house! All from an original three or four bulbs. When we moved out here to Surrey, I took a handful of the bulbs with me. Slowly I’ve been transplanting them here too. Now they run all the way across the front of the house, and all along the back garden. This year I’ve started ringing our trees, and side gardens.

I dig the tulips each fall, and reposition them, and they’ve doubled, tripled, quadrupled in numbers over the years. This year, we have seven or eight batches of them! I tell you, bulbs are the best bang for the buck!

The dog planter is one that Pam really loves. He’s a little metal guy, about a fourteen inches long. We plant him with pansies or other flowering plants. He’s just been re-done yesterday, so he’s not very full yet. But he’ll look great in a couple weeks.

Something About Us

Vern's obituary

February 26, 2011 Maurice 1 Comment

Pam’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.

AMERO, 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

February 24, 2011 Maurice 5 Comments

Here 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.

Peter 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

February 23, 2011 Maurice 6 Comments

Last 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.

Vern 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.

As 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.