I'm shocked to hear about Rudy's untimely passing. My condolences to Vera, Peter, Susan and families.

I have a long history with Rudy.

Like a lot of immigrants, our families stayed very close, celebrating every birthday, Christmas, Easter, and even Halloween together. Although Rudy was my cousin, he was really more like an older brother to me, for many years. He was older, therefore he had cooler stuff than I did. When Rudy got skates, I suddenly needed skates. When Rudy got a Meccano set, I quickly developed an interest in mechanics. And, most unbelievably, when Rudy started accordion lessons, you guessed it, I signed up for accordion as well (gosh I wish Rudy had picked guitar)!

When Rudy was a teenager, he was a diligent saver and bought a car—a fire-red Ford Maverick. Having wheels allowed us to go camping at Killbear Provincial Park. We encountered numerous calamities from renting a canoe, which leaked, to cooking on a Coleman stove, where neither of us had any idea about how to cook anything. But, we always persevered, and enjoyed it.

Later, Rudy took up tennis. He was very proficient, and even taught me to play and gave me my first tennis racket. I recall the first time we played, in the park behind their house on Kimbark Drive. I hit the ball as if this was baseball, and every single shot went way out of bounds. But Rudy was patient and taught me that tennis requires a bit of finesse.

As we grew older—Rudy got busy with his retail management career and I moved away—Rudy and I drifted apart. Life just takes you on different paths. I regret that now. I wish we had had more time together in recent year.

We had some good times, Rudy. I’ll miss you.

Your cousin…Rainer