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Darryl Gurney posted a condolence

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Goodbye Dad, I would like to share some of the fondest memories I have of my father. I remember probably around six years old and we were down at the cottage in the winter. It was one of those years where Lake Erie had frozen for quite a ways out. Our whole family was out on it ice skating. However, it was very windy. I was so small that I could not skate into the wind, so my dad would fly up behind me, pick me up carry me quite a ways up wind and let me coast down, with the wind pushing me. Then he would carry me back up again, again and again. I remember thinking how strong he was! It was so much fun! We went to the cottage every summer for the entire summer and I remember begging my dad for a minibike. I wanted one more than anything else in the world. It seemed like an eternity passed, then one day he came home from work and asked me to go get the gallon of ice cream from the back of the truck. When I went out to get it, I saw a minibike in the back of the truck! I remember running through the yard screaming, ‘we got a minibike, we got a minibike, we got a minibike’!!! It was one of the best gifts I had ever gotten in my entire life! We had that minibike for many years and it kept me company for many summers. I will never forget that gift he gave us! My first experience water skiing was as a very little boy (maybe four years old). Riding on the front of the skis my dad was wearing and him holding me. It was so exciting! He was such a strong water skier. I was so proud of my dad and the tricks he could do. I remember him putting a chair on this big yellow round disk and standing on the chair and trying to spin in circles behind the boat. We all cheered him on. It was very difficult and often he would fall, but he would ultimately do it! And of course all of the trips we took to Florida for March Break. I have so many fond memories of my dad and my whole family fishing, or being in the boat when the dolphins were swimming along side of us. Endless hours playing shuffle board and cribbage and walking on the beach picking up sand dollars and sharks teeth. Pigging out at the Tin Pan Alley buffet until our whole family was bursting full! Even the drive was a magical adventure, feeling the weather change the further south we got, the southern accents we ran into at the gas stations and the mountains we drove through. It was very very special! I feel so lucky to have been adopted into this family! And I have so much gratitude for my parents taking me in! Thanks Dad and I wish you the very very best on your next adventure. Say hi to Mom for me! Love, Darryl

Mel Fenney Posted Aug 17, 2021 at 10:28 PM

Oh Darryl, these memories spark so many more for me… and brought bittersweet tears… thank you for sharing… we had so many blessings and wonderful experiences growing up… knowing Mom & Dad are together again comforts me…

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Catherine Hammond Posted Aug 18, 2021 at 2:26 PM

Great tribute to your dad from you and wonderful photos posted by your sister.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2021

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Martin Charles Gurney

1931 - 2021

Celebration of Life