Uncle Stinky...

Uncle Steve (aka uncle stinky) passed away last night. We knew he was sick but I was caught off guard by how fast he went. Steve did not have kids of his own, and I always felt that he took us under his wing. He was the cool uncle when we were kids. Here are a few of my memories:

• Trading wallets - Steve used to offer to trade wallets with me and most of the time his was empty when he offered.  One time when I was about 12 he offered to trade and I had about 20 bucks, so I refused.  Turns out he had $300 in there. 
• When I was young I used to spend a week each summer with Nanny in Moncton.  Steve and Alan took me back home to PEI and I was violently sick during the ferry crossing.  Steve did not know what to do.
• Several times in Summerside he used to lead all of us kids in a harmonica solo like the pied piper around our house.
• He hosted so many BBQ's at his cottage in NB where he opened up his pool, kayaks, hot tub for all family to use.  He continued this tradition even after mom passed away which meant a lot to me.  We seem to have lost some connection to Mom's side of the family and Steve made a point to keep us in the loop.
• When we took the kids to Florida, Steve and Debbie made a point of joining us at Universal Studios for the day and ended up paying through the nose for their premium tickets.  They also introduced us to the Golden Coral Buffet.
• Steve taught me to drive a two wheel bike when he removed the training wheels.  All was going well until I hit the ditch and smashed up my face.  He felt pretty bad.

 

I imagine it is just part of getting older, but there have been many deaths of family and friends of late.  Andrew, Winston, Mom, Nanny, George MacNeill, Jean Kimpton and now Uncle Steve.  It is strange times we are living in when this is combined with Covid19 and stringent rules with masks and isolation.