Dec. 23, 2011
My Dad
My Dad was my Friend and Buddy, my President and CEO, and my Father and Pa.
Dad could be both serious and fun and his love for music followed him everywhere.
When we were kids Dad liked to make up songs and sing them to us. Songs like “You Know What, Becky-Lynne, I Likies You” or “Abbot The Rabbit, You’re Nothing But Skin And Bones”, a tribute to Brad. And some of the Swine Breeder friends may remember “Oh Have You Seen My Gilt, My Purebred Gilt” which was sung by Mom and Dad and a number of their friends at a Swine Breeders annual meeting.
At the end of the service, a song was played by Johnny Cash. Johnny was one of Dad’s favorites. Think of Dad when Johnny says “Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down”. Dad still has lots of work to do!
Whatever Dad did, he did with passion, commitment and with the Big Picture in mind. He never put himself first and wasn’t afraid to tackle anything! Weather on Council at church, fixing homes in Bogalusa, Louisiana, or on many of the Boards and committees he was on in the swine industry. On Tuesday, I received an e-mail from Cathy Aker, a Director on the Board of Ontario Swine Improvement. She said “Henry was a great man with so much enthusiasm for the industry. In my opinion, he was the GM that finally turned OSI around and steered it in the right direction. He laid the foundation for all the good things that we are seeing with the organization right now.” And Dr. John Webb, director on Canadian Centre For Swine Improvement, “(Henry was) A wonderful contributor to the industry, known to many around the world.” What an inspiration!
No job was to big or small for Dad and as we all know, he loved to help others. Restoring his antique boats, managing an up and coming Country music singer or building a house for Habitat For Humanity, he would get the job done.
In May 2005 Dad and Mom were at our house for a visit on a Sunday afternoon. We were talking about our kitchen and how it needed some work done. The next day, un-benounced to us, Mom and Dad showed up with a suitcase and their truck full of tools and the kitchen was going to get done…this week! Well, before we knew it, it was torn apart from top to bottom including replacing all of the floor joists! Within no time at all, we had a new kitchen. Thanks Dad and Mom!
Richard Smelski once said to me, “When you and your Dad are on deliveries, that’s when you guys have your Board meetings”. And that was very true. Dad and I spent a lot of time together on the road, crossing this Province. We would often talk about the farm and the pigs and discuss what direction what to go in. But Dad still liked to have fun during our “Board” meetings. One time we were on our way home from a delivery in Eastern Ontario and I told Dad that I really had to go pee. “No problem”, he said, so he pulled over on the shoulder of the 401 and I went behind the trailer to relieve myself. I just nicely got going (I may have had a little stage fright!), and suddenly the truck and trailer pulled away and stopped 50 feet down the road. There I was on display for all the passers-by! I did get him back a couple of weeks later.
One of the things I remember as a teenager that Dad said was “You become of whom you hang around with”. I know that Dad very much liked my friendships with Rowbay and Towbay and Staffie and 38. For those of you who don’t know, that’s Rob and Derek and Marc and Jeff. By the way Habber, Jeff and I let you and Dad win that game of horseshoes this past summer…at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Dad always had time for his Grandkids. Weather it was taking Hailey for a walk down the driveway at the farm when she showed her “Dutch” colours or letting them steer the boat, camping or going fishing. Dad was always interested in what the kids were doing and took pride in watching their lives progress.
Mom…we love you! You are an inspiration and your strength is amazing. You stood by Dad for so many years and it was BOTH of you that achieved these great things!
Rest In Peace Dad! We love you and we’ll see you soon!
Love Roddy
