Dear Thora and Helgi: It is only now that I realize your beloved Dad had passed. In the last years of his life we had lost touch, but he was often in my thoughts and I wondered how his health was and where he had decided to settle down. We were wonderful friends for many years, and I am grateful to have known him. I know a little about your own families, your children, and I am glad to learn that they knew their Grandfather’s unforgetable brilliance, love and delightful sense of humour.

Sincerely, Jean Allan – London, Ontario

My dear Helgi and Thora,

I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know until today that Glen has passed on to join dear Ruth in the Abha Kingdom. I will think of him in my prayers. I hope that you and your lovely families are all well and happy and successful. I am sure that Glen is in a much better condition now and looking down at you all with great love, and helping you in all your endeavours.

With warmest love,

Ladan

As a child and youth, Glen, Ruth, Helgi and Thora were my surrogate family. I spent much of my time in their home in Edmonton. It was Glen who helped me past my hurdle of belief in God. I have always had tremendous respect and awe of Glen’s ability to teach and work with groups. He gave much of his unique talents and perspective to the Baha’i world community and the discipline of community development. His legacy is embedded in the souls of those he has taught, and his glorious family. I trust he is now reunited with his life partner, Ruth.

Although I have lost touch with Helgi and Thora, my love and prayers are with you at this time as you feel the loss of your Dad, even though you know of his joy and felicity in the next world.

Love to you all,

Morine

What a guy! One of the people I most respected! I am sad to hear of his passing. He had wisdom born of deep spiritual and intellectual search. No well worn and easy formulas for him. He was a mentor – didn’t talk down to us younger generation but challenged us. He was gentle, forthright and had a dynamite sense of humour I never tired of. He wasn’t afraid of the truth but talked about real problems and dilemnas. I admired his closeness with his children and grandchildren. Our condolences to the Eyfords. May his life be celebrated! It is nice to know he is not far away and that he will shine even brighter now. Maury, Helen, Ali, Zach and Hayley

What an age we live in. This morning, a friend who is stationed in Pakistan wrote to me that it was sad about Glen Eyford. I was taken by surprise.

I had just written a long-hand letter to Glen and mailed it with a card to him. The card said, “you are awesome’, a sentiment that I deeply felt. I had probably not written a long-hand letter to someone since the last time I wrote to him – in this age that was a tribute to his ‘awesomeness”. Glen had been in my thoughts a great deal in the last few days, since Thursday night. I wrote the letter on Saturday evening. He was such a loving and supportive friend in my life in the years when we became very close friends.

When he was first in Ottawa, I avoided him as I was a bit intimidated by his ‘status’ but when someone mentioned that he was lonely after Helgi moved, I got over my intimidation and when I saw him in Starbucks on Elgin Street, I talked with him and we had coffee together. That was the start of an incredible friendship. He was not at all intimidating – he was so supportive to many and a great mentor.

We had many interests in common and he made me feel special, something that I think he did for many people. After he moved out to Cochrane, he would stay at my place when visiting Ottawa and we had some amazing conversations talking into the wee hours of the night. He was so good to me and my daughter Aletha. We would call each other and talk over family things, what was happening, his dog Java, world affairs and he was just such an incredible supportive influence in my life. We had a lovely time when we went to ABS in Calgary and he made us feel like one of his family. He’ll always be in my thoughts and a source of great warmth and loving memories. There will always be a spiritual connection, strengthened as I can see with his passing to the next world. He will so greatly be missed but I am sure that he has found enormous happiness with his release.

My love to Helgi, Thora and the family.

Jennifer

Dear Helgi and Thorah,

Allan and I will miss his quick wit, his sharp insights and his encyclopaedia of stories. His gentle teasing often encouraged me to overcome my fears and take action. He was a mentor and a good friend.

Love Joey

We are all saddened by Glen’s passing. He certainly had a special place in our hearts and the heart of our community. He will be sadly missed. My his soul be in consort with dear Ruth and the other holy souls and saints. I shall personally revere his words of wisdom and remembrances in my my life. Glen; you will be missed. I shall pray for you. Mohsen

We are all very saddened by Glen’s passing. He certainly has a special place in our hearts. We shall pray that his soul will be in consort with Ruth and all holy souls and saints. Baha’i community of Lethbridge