Friday, September 28, 2018
About five years ago, on a bright, sunny August Sunday afternoon my wife Jo Ann and I suffered a rather distressing plumbing problem following a party at our Simcoe Island cottage the day before. I didn’t know Gordon but heard enough about him to know that he was the fellow to call. I introduced myself, described our “rising “circumstances and asked if he had any time at all in his schedule over the coming week or so to help us. “Sure, I’ll be right over!” he said. Two hours and about $80 later, we were back in business! But Gordon wasn’t finished. He spent the next two hours enjoying a gin and tonic and getting to know us. We thought we were just getting to know our new plumber. Gordon knew that he was making some new lifetime friends. Unfortunately, the “lifetime” part was not nearly long enough for my wife and me.
However, in those short years that we had the good fortune to enjoy that friendship, we made the most of it. Jo Ann discovered that Gordon had a sweet tooth that could not be satisfied. I learned that Louise favored vegetables from my garden. Regular deliveries to the Greenwood home commenced!
Gordon and I worked on several of my cottage projects over the next several years, teaching me more than I ever wanted to know about how jet pumps are supposed to work and politely explaining to me - with that grin that we’ll not forget – why my methods could use just a bit of improvement! The coffee always had to be on when he arrived with baked goodies nearby and ready to be served before we could move on to serious plumbing.
I had an opportunity to say my good-byes to Gordon about two weeks ago. I arrived at his home with two cups of coffee, of course. He had worked that morning with his grandson closing a cottage and was exhausted but happy. We talked, drank our coffee and then went for a ride in my 57 Chevy. I asked him if he wanted to drive it back. He couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel! For a few brief moments, he was in another place – healthy and carefree.
We’ll never forget you. I’ll miss you, my friend!
Tom Shepard
