Today our family is saying goodbye to a dear friend, cherished uncle, brother, grandfather, and good man, my Uncle Laurie McGee. I am missing home and my family who I know will find this day challenging but hopefully also filled with unforgettable stories that will be told and retold with tender smiles for days and years to come. Uncle Laurie was quite simply the best!
Yesterday I went for a drive to find a place way out here on the left coast where I would feel close to Uncle Laurie. You see, he was an avid fisherman. So my road took me to the charming village of Steveston (or Storybrooke for those who watch the tv show Once Upon a Time) nestled on the Pacific in Richmond, BC. Steveston is home to the historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery that you see in my photo above, and also the bobbing, boat-filled wharf and marina. On many of my Vagabond Photography Adventures my goal is to visit every nook and cranny of a destination, planning to tell you a bit of a story that will hopefully inspire a visit. Yesterday did not go as planned. I found myself looking for a quiet place, away from the crowd, to let my senses fill with pleasant memories of a dear man who I loved very much. I found a bench perched on the ocean and sat and listened. Seagulls called gently. The air was intoxicating – briny and oxygen-rich. A weak, early spring sun beat down. I closed my eyes and just breathed and remembered. This was the spot where I could feel and sense my kindred, nautical spirit. You see, like Uncle Laurie, I also grew up loving to fish.
Many long, hot summer Saturdays as a child growing up on the farm, after finishing chores, I would hop on my bike and pedal furiously down the Lakeshore Road to Lake Valley Grove where Jack and Mita Sheppard would let me fish off the end of their dock. Lake Huron would give up some fantastic bass and perch and I loved just sitting there swinging my feet and contemplating all the fish swirling around my hook, just waiting to be caught. I still remember the day that Uncle Laurie and my cousin Theresa popped by and offered to take me fishing out on the lake in their boat. Surely a keen fisher would enjoy open water fishing? A generous offer! I did, really, really appreciate the kind gesture although I imagine Theresa and Uncle Laurie were less than thrilled that I so quickly and thoroughly “fed the fish” as they say. Did you know there are many uses for a straw hat??? Uncle Laurie never mentioned this event again – he just smiled kindly and likely, eventually, laughed, as have I ever since.
I also remember Uncle Laurie dropping by our house one summer when I was between semesters at Wilfrid Laurier University. Times were a bit tight for the Henderson family back then, having just moved off our farm, and making ends meet was a silent, vexing struggle. Out of the blue Uncle Laurie pulled up in his truck and very quietly handed me a cheque that would help me invest in some much-needed textbooks for the coming semester. How did he know I was in need? But that is Uncle Laurie. Always showing up unannounced when you needed him most. Everyone will tell you stories of his kindness and generosity. This is my story and I cannot thank him enough for giving me a hand when I needed it most.
I am missing my family today. I am missing the celebration of a wonderful life, so very well lived. Uncle Laurie, you touched our lives more than you will ever know. I hope you don’t mind if we believe, for now, that you have just gone fishin’.
Hi, I’m Patti, wonderer, wanderer and photographer. During the week I’m a marketer in the publishing industry and on weekends I take to the road to explore this beautiful planet we live on. 
That is a beautiful memory thanks for share! Your Uncle Laurie was an amazing man!
Thanks so much Kim. You are right; Uncle Laurie was just the best!
as usual you convey what we all feel today. Wish you were here.
Miss you and love you.
Thanks dear Jen. I wish I could be with you too. xxoo
Beautifully written Patti! Wonderful tribute!
Thanks so much Brenda! He was a very special person.
Patti, what a touching and wonderfully crafted tribute to a wonderful man. As you know, I love and am drawn towards kind and generous people, and I would have liked your uncle Laurie very much. I visited Steveston only once, with my Auntie Norma (my uncle Paul McNamara’s wife), who came from a big family (Arsenault) on Prince Edward Island. I have very fond memories of the afternoon I spent there with my sweet aunt. I will be visiting with my aunt, uncle, and cousins the day before you and I get together. Can’t wait to see you! Lots of love, and I feel very sorry for your loss….
Jane, thanks so much for your kind comments my friend! Yes, you would have loved Uncle Laurie for certain! And I cannot wait for your visit – so many places to see – it will be wonderful to spend time with you again.
Patti such wonderful words of love and memories. I’m so sorry to hear about your Uncle. He sounds like an amazing man. I’m also sorry you are not able to be home. I know how much you cherish all and everything that embodies “family”. But I have a feeling that Uncle Laurie is connecting you all anyhow. Love and Laughter, Jude
Judith, thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful comments. I think you are right. Good people like Uncle Laurie are always close by, always still binding our hearts together.
A beautiful tribute to Laurie. He will be missed by his family and community. So sorry you couldn’t be with your family at this sad time.
Thanks so much Rosanna (Mrs. Millar!). He certainly will be. It was hard not to be there this weekend, but I understand that many great stories were told about Uncle Laurie and he will always be close by when we have wonderful stories to tell. I’m so glad to see you here!