As I look back over my life, and the times I shared it with my younger brother Stan, I recall so many great memories. Too many to recount here. But one memory defines for me what my brother was.
I recall the time that he told me he was going to join the US marines. He did not have a job and back in those days joining the Marines ,as a Canadian, was a very real possibility. A part of me was proud of him for that ambition and of course another part was very concerned about this risky venture. So, I was relieved when he finally landed a job here in Canada.
The part that is ironic is that even though he did not fulfill his dream of joining the Marine Corps he lived his life like a Marine. The Marine corps aspire to three core values: Courage, Honor and Commitment. Throughout my brother’s life he aspired to live these values.
In courage, he had the will that during mental, moral, and physically trying moments in his life he pushed fear to the side. From rolling a Caterpillar down a mountainside defying all odds of living to being given months to live after a cancer diagnosis. He got busy living the next five years after his diagnosis with such grace and fearlessness. When it came time to say goodbye, he bravely picked up the phone calling all of us to make sure we were all okay and that he loved each and every one of us.
In honour, he was honest and fair. He had his share of battles and like a Marine he never backed down. As brothers close in age, we were either defending ourselves together in a fight or in one of them. But our love for each other withstood all the tussles in life given time. My brother held to a code of conduct that was his belief in adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct no matter what the battle involved. I was always proud of him. He was never one to compromise his integrity regardless of any overwhelming adversity.
In commitment, he took honor and courage and dedicated his life to his beliefs and values. He valued family and his wife and beautiful daughters were always first and foremost. He always spoke to me of his love for them and was totally committed to that. And in his dying words he did not think of himself rather he spoke to my daughter of the need to look after his big brother Roy.
Brother Stan, as I told you so many times, you are the bravest man I know, and you will always be my favorite Marine.
Love you always,
Brother Roy
