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Leslie Ann McNamara posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
My name is Leslie Ann McNamara. I am the daughter of Al’s second wife
Georgina, and very grateful that he came into our lives almost 30 years ago. Al soon
embraced our family with his kindness, generosity, his keen wit and sense of humour
and his zest for researching all things new. In honour of the life of Alfred Charles
Meadows, and on behalf of my husband Bruce, my brother Glenn and our families, I
offer these additional thoughts...
It’s always interesting to me where someone comes from...family and location. Al
was delivered by a midwife on a cold Saskatchewan winter’s day in February of 1933.
He was the second child of Charles A Meadows born in 1886, on a farm near Cayuga
Ontario, and his wife Edith Harris. Al had an older sister Jean who was 3 at the time of
his birth and they grew up close. Their father survived with the CEF Army forces in
France during the First World War and after the war became a Stationery Engineer,
spending the early 20s with the Hamilton Waterworks Dept. In the late 20s, Charles
drifted westward with the grain harvesters where he met and married Edith in 1927.
Charles and Edith struggled on the farm to provide for their young family during the
depression years, but Al said, “you don’t miss what you never had” and he shared
frequent and fond memories of his childhood.
Sadly though, in 1938, Edith passed away when Al was just 5 years old, she, just 44. A
young housekeeper, Myrtle Verity, had been hired to tend for the children during Edith’s
illness. Al said she was kind to them and provided for them, and also helped out on the
farm. Following the loss of Edith, Charles married Myrtle who became Al and Jean’s
stepmother. Only two years later, Al’s father passed away, leaving Myrtle to raise not
only the two children, but a third Neil, whom she was carrying when her husband died.
Myrtle took the children with her to her family on the Verity farm just outside of
Carnduff Saskatchewan where she found employment as a store clerk and a switchboard
operator, and where she continued to raise the children as her own, becoming “Mother”.
Al and his sister Jean, initially attended a one room schoolhouse “Thunder Creek”
where Al entered in 1939. He told us about a trip to school by horse and buggy where
they had to pass a field containing a big red bull – today Red Bull means something
entirely different – but in 1939 for young Al and Jean, it meant the real deal! Angered by
the passing traffic, the bull would stamp and snort and charge towards the buggy –
scaring the children out of their wits – in spite of the fence separating them from the
track. Another memory forefront in Al’s mind was the, as he put it, “the all too frequent
balogna sandwiches in his lunch.” I know this because I made the mistake in early days
of Al’s visits to Southampton, of offering him a balogna sandwich. He explained that in
the 30’s you could buy a full, long-lasting roll of balogna for just 25cents! Al ate pretty
much everything else (as long as it wasn’t swimming in sauce or gravy) – so when it
came to food, he was pretty easy to please.
Al graduated from high school in 1951 and following a few part time jobs, became a
bookkeeper for a Ford Dealership. In this capacity he decided to travel east to Toronto
for a winter job in 1953. Through his landlord, who knew an Accountant, Al found work
as an apprentice C.A. in a firm on Bay St. This made it possible to take correspondence
courses from Queen’s University. In his words “I lived a carefree life as a bachelor –
working days for the CA firm and studying at night. “Some girls showed some interest,
but I was smart enough, or dumb enough?, to avoid serious involvement.”
But, in 1959, this time his landlady contributed to the winds of change for Al – by
introducing him to her work colleague, Barbara. The next year, when Al completed his
CA course, they were married and soon welcomed a son Gregory. Barbara also had a 5
year old daughter, Kathleen, whom Al adopted. Al said life went “swimmingly”. He was
happy in love and proud in his work, ultimately working for the CRA and being
promoted to work on large business accounts in Sudbury for four years before taking a
promotion in “Investigations and then Appeals” and moving the family to Waterloo.
By 1990 Al had 29 years of service with the CRA and took early retirement to spend
quality time with Barbara, before he sadly lost her in October 1993. They managed those
few years living on and exploring Vancouver Island, and doing some travelling to
Arizona and California and then moving back to Kitchener. Barbara was a talented artist
and Al kept some of her sketches and paintings, which he and Mom were later proud to
display in the office of their house.
Following Barbara’s death, Al met our mom Georgina at the Rockway Seniors Centre.
Al actually was also a customer at the Bank of Montreal where Mom worked and he
admitted later that he used to stand in line and wait for her to serve him because he
admired her competency. Mom had also lost a partner in 1993 and acknowledged to me
that she was feeling lonely. Al said that it was suggested to him that Mom had her eye on
him but that “modesty” prevented him from holding such a thought. In any event, it was
a match made in Accountancy heaven...Mom having formerly been a bank manager and
Al with his interest in accounting to the penny, one can just imagine those early
scintillating dating conversations:):) (ignore the rolling of the eyes:):):))
Having said that, Al and Mom had just over twenty busy and happy years together. They
travelled extensively and also spent some of each winter in Florida where we were all,
always welcomed.
Mom had been sick for a while but her passing was still surprisingly sudden. Al was at
church that morning, so he didn’t hear her remind my brother and me to “keep Al in the
family.” It was a promise easily made and willingly kept. Al had long ago become a
staple in my brother’s and my collective families, adopted by our kids as a grandfather,
and by us as a strong, stable, and honest family member to whom we could turn for
opinions and advice when we asked. He never interfered but he was always there when
we needed someone to listen. Simply put, we truly enjoyed our chats, our hugs, our
visits, and we loved him. And we miss him. We already miss those pizza snacks, those
dinners out, the early evening and late night movies on TCM and, perhaps, the morning
weather channel just a little bit less. But Al always checked the weather before we drove
down to visit and before we had to leave to drive home. (He and Mom too, always
religiously checked the scrolling screen to record the value of their BMO stocks as well,
so admittedly it was a fairly easy flip of the channel to check the weather:)) We miss
breakfasts at Frannie’s, the chats on the back porch and sitting on lawn chairs in the
garage with the door wide open, watching the traffic and the neighbours go by – from
early spring til late into the fall!
Our memories of Al also include him regularly cutting roses for our mom from his rose
garden at the side of the house. Oh and the amazing stained glass pieces he made as he
improved his skill and eventually taught courses in it. We loved that he brought us
Connie’s best baking from Rockway Centre, where he was a multi decade volunteer, in a
variety of capacities, from bookkeeping to keeping the billiards program going strong, to
helping in the kitchen. Al was still a numbers guy even after retirement. He regularly
kept us up to date on how many potatoes he had peeled on any given day. He would
revel us with stories too, ranging from growing up in the Prairies to sharing his vast
knowledge on information about Canada’s involvement in WW2. Al was also a friend of
the family pets, kindness to animals personified, spoiling them all. He and Mom were
the surrogate pet sitters as needed and I’ll never forget how Al adopted our Yorkie
Monty. He was so gentle and kind. I even found a few pictures of the dogs he had had
growing up. Clearly, he always appreciated the bonds he formed with them.
At a completely different stage of life, we also remember Al’s willingness to learn
computer technology at the age of 80, taking courses to improve. We were thrilled
because now we could reach him on Facetime – and how it came in handy during the
covid crisis and also while we travelled. Like many families we had to do an online
Covid Christmas – but Al was up for it. Al loved the fact that he could watch his
treasured billiards masters in real time and then again in reruns on his tablet. He even
eventually almost mastered his cell phone – but he made it very clear, he was no fan of
it! At the age of 86, Al completed a cross Canada train trip to British Columbia, at the
age of 88 he spent time in Iceland. Thank you Julia for making these trips possible for
Al. He loved them and revelled in the memories.
After losing our Mom, Al was our link to her memory. We had twenty great years
enjoying them as a couple and then almost another ten sharing those memories with him
alone. Al could make our mom laugh. And he never lost his sense of humour. The very
morning he passed away we were arranging home care for him and doing an intake
interview. He was asked about his memory – and answered – you want to know about
my memory? What was the question again? Both the interviewer and I cracked up.
91 years young – an estimable achievement – still doing his own gardening and plowing
his driveway at age 90. Only this past year had been a physical challenge for Al as he
gradually lost his strength and had to rely on more help. He recognized he couldn’t keep
the house up and sold it in one week; he had taken such good care of it, it was easily
sold.
Al was absolutely a role model – we valued his work ethic, his honesty, his compassion,
the fact that he was sentimental and we respected his opinions and his judgement. We
were honoured to be a part of his life and to have him in ours. Thanks Al, for the
memories.
A
Angela Harper posted a condolence
Monday, August 26, 2024
Al was my husband's Jeff Harper Uncle i met Al many years ago ! I always remember having such laughter when with him ! We had went to Mexico with Al after his first wife passed of cancer! Met his second wife a couple of times also fun to be around beautiful lady ! My deepest condolences to all his children and grandchildren may he RIP lots of love Angela Harper
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Anne Exon posted a condolence
Monday, August 26, 2024
Al was our wonderful neighbour for many years. He was the epitome of aging gracefully and an inspiration to us all. We will miss him. Anne and Martyn Exon
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Sue Schuster posted a condolence
Monday, August 26, 2024
What a wonderful, kind and interesting man. We are so sorry for Al’s passing, Bill and Sue Schuster.
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Jeff Harper posted a condolence
Monday, August 19, 2024
Condolences.
Al was my uncle.
Knew him most of my life, (60 plus years)
Jeff and Angela Harper
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Debbi Schreiter posted a condolence
Sunday, August 18, 2024
I was sorry to about Al’s passing. I had the pleasure of living beside Gene and Al for a number of years. They were the nicest couple and I admired their relationship. Al was the epitome of a gentleman. He always greeted with a smile and conversation or even offering a helping hand. My sincere condolences to the family for their loss.
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Brenda Van De Keere lit a candle
Monday, August 12, 2024
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Al will always be remembered fondly. He was a kind and gentle soul, always generous with a morning greeting and a smile. I shared many conversations with Al as a diligent convener for the Rockway Billiards Group. He was passionate to have the best Billiards room in town. Keep smiling down on us Al. Cheers!
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Connie Fairbairn posted a condolence
Monday, August 12, 2024
Al...the definition of a true gentleman. I had the pleasure of working with AL for 18 years at the Rockway Center and DCC. Where he cheerfully helped prepare and serve meals to the seniors in our community. Al was a wonderful volunteer, and a dear friend. I feel privileged to have had the pleasure to know him. He will be missed greatly by so many! He definitely earned his wings.My condolences to all of his family and friends. He was definitely one of a kind. God bless Connie Fairbairn xoxo
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Michelle Gamauf lit a candle
Monday, August 12, 2024
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So very sorry to hear the news of Al's passing. I can only hope that the fond memories will add some comfort during this difficult time. We will miss Al here at Rockway. It's rare to have such a valuable and dedicated volunteer for that many years. Al contributed so much to the Rockway Centre and touched many patrons lives that attended programs and volunteered.
Our condolences to the family from the Rockway staff and Rockway Advisory Council.
Michelle Gamauf
Rockway Facilitator
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Peter Maranger lit a candle
Saturday, August 10, 2024
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We were saddened to hear of Al’s passing. For many years, we had the distinct privilege of knowing both Al and the lovely Gene through the McNamara family. Al’s warm smile and gentle presence were constants whenever we met, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him. His dedication to his community and the kindness he showed to those around him are qualities we will always remember and cherish.
Al’s life was one of giving, and his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched. Please know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May the memories of Al bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
We have made a donation to the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth in Al’s memory.
With deepest sympathy, Peter & Beverley
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The family of Alfred Charles Meadows uploaded a photo
Friday, August 9, 2024
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