A Farewell Tribute to my Grandfather
On Friday, March 21, 2014, my grandfather passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. During his long life, he served his country overseas in the Second World War, was married for more than 65 years, raised three wonderful children, and shared great wisdom with his seven grandchildren. He was a teacher, craftsman, and respected member of his community.
In honour of his memory and the great influence he had on me, I have chosen to share a poem I've written about his life.
REST IN PEACE, GLENN WALKER REEVE.
You were loved and will be missed.
In honour of his memory and the great influence he had on me, I have chosen to share a poem I've written about his life.
REST IN PEACE, GLENN WALKER REEVE.
You were loved and will be missed.
AN ODE TO GLENN
Gather 'round, dear loved ones,
For a story must be told
About a man, a grandfather,
Who lived to be very old.
This man was always young at heart,
He traveled all across the land.
He lived a life of discipline,
And lent many a helping hand.
His hands had helped us all
In oh so many ways,
So come close, open your ears.
We'll go back to his early days.
When this man was just a lad,
He passed his days on the farm
Or followed Doc, tending to animals,
In weather both cold and warm.
He thrived on tasks in childhood.
He was full of talent and will,
Developing a gifted hand,
A real craftsman's skill.
In the war, he made it possible
For our planes to take flight.
He was an aircraft mechanic,
Holding corporal at the end of the fight.
When this veteran returned home,
He hooked up with his high school sweetheart.
They married in '48.
After that, they were never apart.
Post-war times found him in the garage,
Or driving a Volkswagen Beetle,
Or teaching auto mechanics
At Beal, Banting or Wheable.
He traveled all around
To the world's most unique places –
Fiji, Russia, China, to name a few –
And could recall many different faces.
In his Ilderton shop he spent his time
Doing the town's woodworking and repairs.
But now that he is gone, we know that
No other grandfather compares
To the man who spent his life
Loving his wife, family, you and me.
Now a great hole is left in the world
Where Glenn Walker Reeve should be.
Gather 'round, dear loved ones,
For a story must be told
About a man, a grandfather,
Who lived to be very old.
This man was always young at heart,
He traveled all across the land.
He lived a life of discipline,
And lent many a helping hand.
His hands had helped us all
In oh so many ways,
So come close, open your ears.
We'll go back to his early days.
When this man was just a lad,
He passed his days on the farm
Or followed Doc, tending to animals,
In weather both cold and warm.
He thrived on tasks in childhood.
He was full of talent and will,
Developing a gifted hand,
A real craftsman's skill.
In the war, he made it possible
For our planes to take flight.
He was an aircraft mechanic,
Holding corporal at the end of the fight.
When this veteran returned home,
He hooked up with his high school sweetheart.
They married in '48.
After that, they were never apart.
Post-war times found him in the garage,
Or driving a Volkswagen Beetle,
Or teaching auto mechanics
At Beal, Banting or Wheable.
He traveled all around
To the world's most unique places –
Fiji, Russia, China, to name a few –
And could recall many different faces.
In his Ilderton shop he spent his time
Doing the town's woodworking and repairs.
But now that he is gone, we know that
No other grandfather compares
To the man who spent his life
Loving his wife, family, you and me.
Now a great hole is left in the world
Where Glenn Walker Reeve should be.
 Grandpa in his Air Force uniform  Glenn and Edith: 60 years of marriage (2008) |  In costume for Ilderton's centennial celebration  Grandpa carving the Christmas turkey |
RSS Feed
