Carole Hamel (VA2NDJ ) (Friend)
Entered August 10, 2014 from St-Zotique ,PQ
My dear Vern
It takes a minute to find a special friend and you were one special friend my dear Vern ,it takes an hour or less to appreciate our new friend ,it toke me a few minutes to see how special you were but it takes a life time to forget and i will never forget you my friend
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.
And that is what you and your best freind Jim. were to each other what we all want in a freind there is nothing to describe the freindship you both had keep aneye on our Jim from were you are ...
You will be missed Vern and you will watch over us and the ones You love
You are now a silent key among more you were quite an Amateur Radio operator you can now be in piece happy 73 my freind. We will meet again it s written in the stars
Carole VA2NDJ
Suzanne Dionne (Family)
Entered August 10, 2014 from Oakville
I remember the days in Pierrefonds when all the cousins played board games in Vernon's room. He was a sweet and kind boy and he will be missed.
Normand Pitre (VE2NHK) (Friend)
Entered August 9, 2014
Rest in peace, Vernon. You're now in company of your father,Don(VE3RM),Fred(VE2LSQ) and so on.
Hope you have great friends and good times up there and be an angel on those you care about.
Brenda (Friend)
Entered August 8, 2014 from New York
Words seem inadequate to express the sorrow felt by the loss of Vern. He enhanced the lives of all who knew him. Deepest condolences to Jim Hay and his dad for opening their hearts and home to Vern in his time of sadness and need. Vern will be greatly missed but his warmth, kindness and gentle spirit will be remembered forever. Someone so special can never be forgotten.
My dear friend, it is with great sadness that I wish you a final CUL 73 es 88
The Blacks (Friend)
Entered August 8, 2014 from Montreal
To The Ikeda's,
We were all saddened to hear of Vernon's passing. I have fond memories of Vernon and his family while living in A-ma-Baie. Midge and Howie were good friends of my parents Ethel and Gil. Our deepest sympathies.
The Blacks
Bram Paterson (VE2XCS) (Friend)
Entered August 7, 2014 from Pointe-Claire
I'm glad to have met Vern at my local amateur radio club. Vern had a lot of knowledge on everything ham radio. He was one of our finest ham in our hobby.
RIP Vern
73 de Bram VE2XCS
Andrew Fogarty (Other)
Entered August 5, 2014 from Baie d'Urfe Quebec
Was not my privilege to know Vernon personally, but heard his name frequently re parade security etc.
His earthly 'journey' now ended may he rest in eternal peace. My deepest expression of sympathy to his family
Andrew Fogarty
Parade Grand Marshall 2013
Pam McEntee (Other)
Entered August 5, 2014 from Montreal
I would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed especially at parade time - I always knew he could be counted on and he provided a great sense of security. As well he really seemed to enjoy all of it?
Again, my sympathies,
Pam McEntee
U.I.S.
Robert Stein (VE2MHO) (Friend)
Entered August 4, 2014 from Montreal
A friendly and helpful person.Vernon will be missed by many.
Sheldon Harvey (Friend)
Entered August 2, 2014 from Greenfield Park, Quebec
I speak on behalf of all the members of the Canadian International DX Club, across Canada and throughout the United States in extending our condolences to the family and friends of Vern. Vern edited the Ham Radio column in our club magazine for many years. He was an annual attendee in the CIDX Summer Barbecue and the club's annual Christmas dinner. Vern was passionate about a lot of things; amateur radio, trains, firefighting vehicles and apparatus. His passing is a great loss to all who knew him. Special condolences to his dear friend Jim Hay who stood by faithfully with Vern through all the challenging days in the hospital and did everything possible to make his time there as peaceful and comfortable as possible
Bob & Kay Tsunokawa (Family)
Entered August 2, 2014 from Etobicoke
Lots of memories when we live in Montreal, you will be missed. From your Uncle, Aunt rest in peace Vernon.
Gary Mace (Other)
Entered August 1, 2014 from Victoria, BC
Sad to hear the news of Vern's passing. I got to know Vern through our common interest in Amateur Radio. My condolences to the family.
George Hedrei VE2NGH (Friend)
Entered August 1, 2014 from Montreal
I had the privilege of meeting Vernon when I first got my amateur radio license. He was an extremely kind and generous person who loved to share his vast knowledge of many subjects, a person who was always cheerful and kind. I have many fond memories of Vern and his dad; he always cheered me up and was always there to help. I am proud to have been his friend. He will be missed but never forgotten!
73' OM, God Bless and Rest in Peace ..
Ken Quinn (Other)
Entered August 1, 2014 from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC
Vernon played a key role in the success of the annual St. Patrick's Parade in Montreal from the late 1990s to this past March. He was kind, caring, and professional in his approach to the task at hand.
He will be missed and may he rest in peace.
Rose Tipold (Family)
Entered July 31, 2014 from Richmond Hill, On
Rest in peace, Vernon. God keep you safe.
Rose & family
Naomi HORI (Family)
Entered July 31, 2014 from Osaka, Japan
Even though I have not seen you in a whie, I remember your kindness while I was in Montreal. Because it was my first experience to live abroad and I was only 20 years old, I was very nervous about all at that time. I remember you drove me your friends apartmemt and gave me a oppotunity to have a good time. I wanted to meet you again. R.I.P from Japan
Joseph Glover (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014
Vern will truly be missed by all who were fortunate to have known him. He was many things to many people; a loving son; a loyal brother and a proud uncle to his immediate family. He was also a very true friend to a large number of people in various circles. I will especially miss our trips to photograph fire apparatus along with our mutual frien Jim Hay. Rest easy Vern; we'll take it from here.
wayne wallace (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Toronto
We've all lost a gentle, gentle soul.
I recall Vernon as a very young boy who I walked to elementary school with who delighted in everything.
I recall meeting him with his Dad as I got off the passenger trains I used to work on or took at Dorval station, who delighted in their power and noise.
Sad, Sad, Sad
Joe Alonso (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Estepona, Spain
On my arrival to Montreal I received the sad news of your passing. Rest well my friend, you will be missed.
73s
Joe VE2UNX
Stephen Pickford (Other)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Friend
Vern was a good man. I always enjoyed our talks about travel, radio, trains, buses...a genuine nice guy all around. It was a pleasure to meet up at Janice's BBQ and the Sheldon's Christmas buffet; bumping in to him on the launch weekend of the AMT's gallery cars; posting comments on my Facebook page when I loaded up some rail pics. Vern will be missed by all
Lily Mae and Grace (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Florida
I am a "virtual friend" of Vern's from the Susan Boyle audition video on YouTube (LIlyMae08). We never met in person, but his comments spoke loud and clear...
I always knew he was beautiful,
Now I see, even on the outside too...
As fine a man as ever was,
So kind and sweet and generous.
A loyal friend with a big heart,
Clever, humble, a patriot.
As steady as the clock he?d quote
To sign off every comment he wrote,
A gentle man who won?t be forgot
As he travels onward where Time is not.
Thank you for sharing these precious photos... a beautiful face to go with the beautiful man we knew. We will always remember Vern's kind and gentle spirit.
Our condolences to Vern's friends and family.
Patty McCann (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Dorval
To Vern's family,
Over the last several years Vern and James Hay have helped ensure the safety of the Montreal St. Patrick's Parade. He was a very important part of our team....Vern was behind the scenes, however, always on the radio with us to keep us informed. There will be big shoes to fill in his absence next March. We will miss you!
Blessings.
Patty McCann
Parade Director; United Irish Societies of Montreal
Gordon Duncan - N8ERC (Other)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Brown County Ohio
My condolences to the family. I know he will be missed by many.
Janice Laws (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Port au Prince, Haiti
Vern, you will be missed, our dear friend for so many years in the radio hobby. Always friendly, always cheerful and enthusiastic about the hobby. Always a big hug for me whenever we met.
Nice picture of you at the annual bbq sitting on my deck. I will always picture you there.
Rest in peace, 73s and 88s
Janice
Gary Barnes (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014
I had the privilege to meet Vern during my time on the board of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Vern was a very nice man with a great passion for photography. We only had the chance to briefly cross paths, but it was long enough to leave an impression on me. My sincere condolences to the members of Vern's family.
Roy Taylor VE2RWT (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Roxboro, Qc
Deepest condolences to Vernon's Family, He is gone but not forgotten
R.I.P. Vern......73
Roy VE2RWT
Jim Hay (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Pointe-Claire, QC
From the time we met Vern and I developed a close friendship helped along by our common interest in amateur radio, trains, fire fighting and apparatus and other topics. He was like a brother to me and those of us who knew him are the better for it. He loved to share his vast knowledge on any number of subjects and was an enthusiastic teacher and mentor as well as a true and loyal friend.
He will be missed but not forgotten.
Rest in peace my friend.
Gordon Furey (Other)
Entered July 30, 2014
Met Vern years ago at a Ham activity and we had similar interests with emergency radio and fire depts.
Verne, you made a difference. 73 RIP
jJean 'Pondside' (Friend)
Entered July 30, 2014 from Florida, U.S.A
A great chatting buddy who is missed. I hope the family will be comforted in a small way knowing that he was held in regard by friends who had never met him in person. Looking forward to meeting him in the resurrection I believe in. (John 5:28,29)
Bonnie Donaldson (Friend)
Entered July 29, 2014 from Kentucky USA
I am a "virtual friend" of Vernon's, one of a group who all met through Susan Boyle's audition video on You-Tube more than 5 years ago. We formed an online "pub" and chatted there and got to know each other, sharing details about our lives and families. Vernon was an integral member of our pub and we all thought the world of him. Some of us also emailed with Vern and/or were friends on Facebook. Vern was one of the most loyal, patient, constant and kind people I have ever known. We will miss him greatly. My condolences to Vernon's family and close friends
Trudy (Family)
Entered July 29, 2014 from Toronto, ON
Gone too soon. Glad we visited last October. RIP, Vernon.
Connie Kirby (Friend)
Entered July 29, 2014 from Lancaster, PA USA
Vernon was a chat room and Facebook friend for several years. We met through a mutual admiration of Susan Boyle but chatted about many aspects of his life, especially his relationship with and concern for his father.
He is missed by all of us in our online "pubs."
Greg Dixon (Friend)
Entered July 29, 2014
I will miss you Vern, 73
Wayne Hodgins (Other)
Entered July 29, 2014 from Cote St Luc
Vern's enthusiasm for all things related to Amateur Radio was an inspiration to
me and to anyone who knew him. 73 OM, RIP.
Morrie Portnoff, VE2BWS (Friend)
Entered July 29, 2014 from Pierrefonds
Vern will be missed by all his friends whom he touch dearly. 73's my friend.
Dr. Will Brooks (Friend)
Entered July 29, 2014 from Lunenburg, NS
Vern is already missed. He was an integral part of the early days of the CFFF and a wonderful spirit. His family will be pleased to know in hat high regard he is held by the many people who knew him. May all who mourn his loss celebrate his all too brief life knowing that he did fine work and cared for many.
John Grow (Friend)
Entered July 29, 2014 from South Shore - Greenfield Park
Rest in Peace Vern, you will be greatly missed. Our times went way back, when you were chasing trains to get a great photo, and when you attended Concordia. May the family be further spared any sorrow.
