Bernie

I have had many influences in my life.

Some have been good and some have been not so good.

Every now and then I think of my friend Bernie. He passed on many years ago --but his influence still echoes in my thoughts and actions to this day.

His influence was good and it is long lasting.

Bernie was the father of my best friend from high school.
He was a fire man who worked for many years in the City of Toronto.

Kindness, empathy, reliability and honour were traits that could easily be associated with him.

And, he was old school. In every sense of the word.

If you promised to do something-- you had better do it. Especially if it involved Bernie.

As a kid I was rebellious, foolish, and somewhat of a clown... Hahaha.

I laugh now, but Bernie set me straight.

My father was a good man and provided great opportunities for me. Bernie was also a strong father figure to me.

I remember I had a committment to meet Bernie at a agreed upon time and location. My partying and wayward youth often got in the way of my promises.

I was 45 minutes late in meeting him.

As I said, Bernie was old school.

I can't exactly remember what it was that he said to me, or how he said it (I wouldn't be allowed to use the words he used on air without contravening the CRTC rules and regulations), but I will never forget the look he gave me.

It put the fear of the Almighty into the deepest part of me.

He taught me to be a man of my word. He very effectively conveyed how disrespectful it is to be late, unreliable, and flaky.

He made it clear, as an older lion would to a foolhardy cub, how important it is to be someone you can count on.

Every boy needs a strong male role model.

I will always be grateful for Bernie.

Sometime teachers come into our life and can leave a lasting legacy in what makes us what we are.

Often times, the priceless value of that influence isn't fully appreciated until the passage of time and experience creates the hindsight necessary to understand the motivation and love that prompted that influence.

Thanks Bernie.