My Dad was known as "Gentle Ben" by those who knew him. He did so many humble, and paradoxically, proud things with God's grace. He was a steady and earnest and true friend, father, husband, son, brother, and worker. His only "vice" was salt water fishing. His only luxury was buying a 16 foot fishing machine and a used truck to tow it with. His favourite saying was, "Do it well, or not at all". When I complained about the ways of this world too much, he would say, "Would you like a little cheese with your wine?" I dearly miss my fishing partner and my dearest Dad. Nobody can replace him, but now I am happily engaged with someone who in some opposite ways and some similar ways reminds me of Dad - my fiance Mitch Kinney, who makes sure I get a good dose of laughter each day. It was Mitch who introduced me to this memorial website, and even though it is the 6th anniversary of my dear Dad's passing, it's never too late to remember the great things he did, like teaching me algebra and tutoring me in mathematics and sharing the love of Nature through fishing with me. Dad introduced me to the world of musical poetry and communication. He encouraged me to listen to classical music like Bedrich Smetana's "Ma Vlast" and to paint pictures of the sunsets we witnessed every evening we were out fishing. He taught me the value of hard work. He was true to my Mom. He never swore. But he did have a sense of humour for "green jokes", especially in his later years after the stroke he suffered. Like my Mom, he hoped that the Filipino community in Nanaimo would unite under one community Filipino cultural society. He danced the Tinikling folk dance (in the manner of a sandpiper - a beach bird that picks up it's feet in it's characteristic way) with my Auntie Remy, and was faithful to my Mom. He was a master of re-using, re-furbishing, fixing, and recycling. He was very conscious of our impact on Mother Nature. He was very quiet if he wasn't joking around, yet also very thoughtful in all that he did. He was a great Dad! I dreamed of your face this morning, and now I understand why you made me cry. It hurts, but I understand now. Thank you for visiting me in my dreams. Your memory is cherished forever. I love you, Dad, and I hope you always know that, wherever you are, I hope you're in a heavenly healthy body in an Eden or a Heaven or both, walking with Christ...
