Anita and John Harte (Relatives of Carolyn, Daryl, Holly & Ben Pike)

Entered May 2, 2018 from St. John's NL

We are very saddened by Chris' passing. We will miss his humor and sharing cinnamon donuts at the EX, Swiss Chalet Fridays and Kelsey's wing nights during our visits to Wasaga Beach . Our prayers go out to you all and we hope to see you again soon. Take care of each other.

Paul Brum 

Entered May 2, 2018 from Mississauga

I'm very sorry to hear about Mr. Letters' passing. I will always remember Mr. Letters as vice principal who I met as a high school student at St. Aloysius Gonzaga. No matter the time or the place, he had a friendly hello and a smile while passing in the hall, and we would hear his voice on the announcements when we knew certain things were about to come up. My condolences to his family at this difficult time. He will be missed by his family and friends, but the memories will be cherished forever. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Donata Morandi (Friend)

Entered May 3, 2018 from Italy

Dearest Chris,
I am heartbroken to hear you have left us so early. I am here working around my little cottage in Tuscany where we had planned our next vacation as soon as the house was ready. It is almost ready now but this trip will never happen now. It makes me so so sad. You are a dear friend to me and all of my kids and family and you will be deeply missed. We will never forget you smile and enthusiasm and you kind words when we needed them. I know you are not alone where you are now and it makes it easier for me to know that you will be surrounded by all the loved ones we lost too soon like you. You have touched so many lives, what a wonderful person you were.
Please keep watching over us, I know I will look up to you for ever and one day we shall meet again.
To your family and friends my deepest heartfelt condolences. What an honour to have met you my friend.
Donata

Joanna Boudreau (Colleague and Friend)

Entered May 3, 2018 from Toronto

My sincerest condolences to the entire family. Chris was a blessing in all of our lives in the DP community. I was blessed to work with Chris at Notre Dame - buddy VP's together. A man of great faith and passion for ensuring the well-being of all students. The students truly adored him and he would touch each of them in a special way. As a colleague I cherished his good sense of humor and genuine care and concern for the well being of others. I am blessed to have known Chris. I will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace. Joanna

LAURIE AND CRAIG DANKS (Friends)

Entered May 3, 2018 from WASAGA BEACH

You made such a huge impact in our lives. You will never be forgotten, but forever loved. God bless

“Holly day”

Back in 2015 I graduated from high school. In preparation for going off to university in the fall, I worked most of the summer away as many students do. Unlike my friends who were moving a few hours drive away for school, I was about to live my childhood dream of moving back to Newfoundland to go to Memorial University. Chris always joked that Newfoundland was not a part of Canada, after all, it is a couple thousand kilometres away.

All summer my friends and I had planned to get together before I moved away, and I asked Chris if he would mind hosting us for some sea-dooing, water skiing and a campfire, as that seemed like a good way to end off the summer. Of course being Chris, he told me “for sure kid”. Many times throughout the summer he picked me up from work, or my family would pick me and Swiss chalet take-out up, and we would gather at the cottage. As it got closer to my departure, he began to ask more questions regarding the afternoon and evening my friends and I had planned. Little did I know, this day would go nothing like how I had planned.

You see, Chris had used these evening visits and short car rides home as sleuthing time. Without my knowledge, he had been in contact with my friends to plan what he called, with the help of my neighbour Glen, “Holly Day”. It seemed that everyone knew what Chris had planned except for me. It started off with him bringing over donuts. This is when I received my first envelope, and off to Skull Island mini golf we went. Upon arrival I was to tell the girl working there that I was Holly, and once I did, I received my first lime green, which is my favourite colour, wooden letter: “H”. With each event he had planned for the day, I received another letter, spelling HOLLY by the end of the day. This day was more than I could have ever imagined it being. He filled it with my favourites.

It started with mini golf, and next was over to Glen’s for an afternoon of swimming, where I received my “O”. My first L came from the limousine driver. Yes, a limousine, to drive us to East Side Mario’s, one of my favourite restaurants. He had me so surprised that I was speechless. My second L was given to me by the server at East Side Mario’s, where my friends, neighbours, and family, had been gathered by “uncle” Chris to enjoy a fantastic meal. From here my friends, mom, and Chris climbed back into the limousine to head back to the beach where I would soon collect the last letter of my name.

The day had already been so spectacular. We looped the beach front a few times, and one of my favourite pictures of Chris and my brother was taken that day in the limousine. We pulled up to Grandma’s Beach Treats next, where I received a box of fudge, another favourite, and my Y. As far as I was concerned, the day was complete. But Chris was not done quite yet.

We arrived at the cottage, where everyone from the restaurant had come together to enjoy roasting marshmallows over a campfire. A few people who could not make it to dinner joined us for this as well. We gathered inside the cottage after a time and Chris presented me with a cake. This wasn’t just any cake though. This cake was a lime green suitcase, with various sayings such as “Will send cookies”, “We will miss you” and “Belongs to: Holly Pike MUN @St. John’s NL”. Chris had brought all these people together to say goodbye to me before I moved 2000 kms away. He put so much time and effort into putting together that amazing day for me, and I will forever be grateful.

Since meeting Chris back some 14 years ago, he quickly became a friend to our family and then more and more a family member. He was “Uncle Chris” to our kids and Best friend to Daryl and I.
There are many memories and stories we could share, but one that stood out to Daryl was back in 2009 when we took a family vacation, including the dog, back to Newfoundland. It was the one island to which we could not convince Chris to take a “cruise”. (Did someone tell him the ferry to Newfoundland doesn’t have an all-you-can-eat buffet?)
Anyway, we left Ontario, and after a few weeks we got a message from Chris. It was a Kijiji Ad that went something like this:
Single male seeking new family friends. Father must be a handyman and offer tech support. Kids preferred. Must have friendly dog.
Chris said we had been gone too long and if we didn’t come back soon, the ad would be posted!
After we returned, we were told that from that day forward, all four Pikes could not leave the province at once. One or two, at least, had to stay behind.
So what did we do? We planned another family vacation—this time to Florida for a summer cruise. Of course we booked an actual cruise line that offered buffets and roast beef!
Well, we decided to drive to Florida, and Chris had never made this trip by car before. When we hit the 400 just south of Barrie, we heard our first, “Are we there yet?”
When we got closer to Toronto, there were comments like, “Oh look, Ben! There’s an airplane! I bet they fly to Florida! We could meet your family there!”
Before the Canada/US border... “Are we there yet?” And upon entry to each new state, “Are we there yet?”
And of course for every airport sign or airplane sighting, Chris wondered if Ben would be game to fly the rest of the way and get our hotel rooms ready for when we arrived...
When we finally hit the outskirts of Jacksonville Florida, a major thunderstorm hit us. We were slowly making our way along with traffic backed up and torrents of rain falling. Now in case you didn’t know, Chris loves a good thunder storm! But this one was not your average storm—while sitting in the front passenger seat, two bolts of lightning struck—one to the right of our vehicle and the other to the left where a palm tree burst into flames! It was both exciting and scary, and after a moment of anxious silence, Chris asked Daryl if he could pull over at the next rest stop so he could empty his shorts!!!

The next trip we took with Chris—we flew

Hi Chris
I know you're not reading this but I hope someone will read this to you.
You and I have had many conversations about loosing our moms and how difficult is was to watch them be so sick. I guess that's why I couldn't bring myself to seeing you not well.
This message is so difficult for me to write to you because it means I'm saying goodbye to my dear friend. I want you to know you have deeply touched my heart. Not just as a coworker but as a friend. Working with you did not feel like work at all and as you always stated we made a great team. Except for when we would play good cop /bad cop and due to your kind heart you would switch midway to being the good cop and made me the bad cop!!! You know something was wrong when I'm convincing you to suspend them!!! lol
You have definitely touched so many students hearts and have made such an impact on their lives. Seeing that student coming back to tell you how he is beating his drug addictions because it was so important to him that you were proud of him tells me how students will always have a place in their hearts for you. Even the students who didn't even know that you secretly bought their Christmas gifts with your own money or paid for their prom. You even paid for students to apply to post secondary just so they didn't have any obstacle stopping them from pursuing their dreams. These student may not know that it was you behind the scenes making their dreams come true because you never wanted the recognition but I want you to know I recognized all the good you have done and it never went unnoticed with me and obviously with God. I guess I shouldn't of been so surprised when you called me this past Christmas offering to buy "our kids" whatever they needed for Christmas..even in retirement you continued to be so thoughtful and generous!
Saying goodbye to you is so difficult. I have such amazing memories and we have shared so many laughs ( calling me from Florida at 2:15 pretending to be a student saying you needed help because you didn't want to go home!!!... I can't believe you had me going LOL)
When I think of you I will always smile. My only comfort is knowing you will be reunited with your mom and dad and Bear! And all your friends and family who are awaiting your arrival. If you can, please look for my mom, you guys would definitely get along as you both have similar humour and such kind hearts!!!
Goodbye my dear friend, I will miss you dearly. Xoxo

A Story a Sister Should NEVER Have to Write

How do you begin to write the life story of a younger brother ~ taken too young and taken too soon?

Sigh

Chris’ life was one defined by Love, Faith, Family and Journey.
Chris’ Journey began on the bright sunny morning of May 15th 1960 at St. Michael’s hospital ~ and yes ~I remember the day very well as it was the day my eight year reign as the indulged, spoiled princess was terminated. Chris and I were the luckiest kids in the world to have been born into a family as rich as ours was ~ not rich in the traditional monetary sense ~ but rich in Love, laughter, calm , acceptance and joy. It is also where we both were introduced to the love of cottage living and Fort Lauderdale. Our parents ~ Shirley and Bud ~ provided a home where everyone was welcome and there was always “room for one more” at our dining table.

His childhood Journey was your typical garden variety childhoods, except for one remarkable event ~ Chris met his best friend for life ~ Art Gallant. What began as two little guys riding their little pedal cars up and down Boxbury Road has become one of the most important and defining relationships in his life. They have travelled life’s journey together ~ Art and Kelly’s wedding, the birth of their children, Reed, Brianne and Ryan ~ all the things you would expect of a best friend. Art has intuitively been there when Chris needed him most…and these past few days have been no exception.

His schooling years were a blur…St. Clements ….Michael Power and U of T. As will come as no surprise to those who knew and loved him….Chris was a man of great faith and a people person. He felt he had a calling to serve others…so he entered St. Augustine Seminary. These were happy years for Chris ~ but in his final year of study….he left to pursue teaching. More about that later.

Our Family grew in 1975 when I married the love of my life. Art instantly became the much adored older brother…. confidant, fun guy, problem solver, and friend . Chris loved having an older brother but this was only surpassed when he became an uncle…..first in 1978 with the birth of Jeffrey, followed by Christopher in 1980 and once again when Lisa arrived in 1982. He was the proud and loving uncle who was beyond thrilled when the kids got married and he welcomed Chris Benetello , Suzy and Annie to the family and loved them like his very own. Chris ,,,or as my kids always called him ~ Big Chris loved being an uncle and he forged so many happy memories with them ~ Wasaga Beach…trips to Wonderland and the Exhibition, Sea dooing….Gillman Bar Mitzvahs, Tiny Tom donuts, his love of dogs, hosting engagement parties and baby showers but probably their most treasured memory was his Christmas Eve reading of The Night Before Christmas. Chris became a Great Uncle in 2008…a term he didn’t much like as he said it made him sound too old….(in hind sight how tragic was that statement) . He shared these same traditions with Matthew Michael Jack and Emmett and later with Nora, Toni-Lyn. How lucky were they to have such a loving Uncle?

Family was so important to Chris ~ ours by many standards is a very small family ~ but as the age old adage says…..Good things come in small packages. He loved spending time with his cousins, summers at Wasaga….Sunday Dinners at my house… Christmas, weddings…Shooters Restaurant and Key Lime Pie …...Handel’s Messiah……. Canada Day parties….spending time with Melissa and the kids when they visited from Nebraska , cold beer on the deck, working at the cottage while Chris “supervised” and the event extraordinaire….his annual Christmas parade party at the cottage. John, Joe & Sheila, Paul & Shirley Megan, Stephen and Angela, Melissa, Tony, Ryan, Brandon & Sean ~ Chris wants to thank you for the memories….he loved you all very much. And BJ….you finally have your card partner back.


You may have noticed a huge ‘cousin” omission ~ Peter.
Cousin ~ you were part of all those things and more. Roomie….cottage caretaker….Kelsey’s partner, ….confidant….cruise companion, party cohost…..but most recently your role expanded without a whisper of notice to include that of care giver….. without hesitation, you accepted the role willingly and lovingly. I will be forever grateful for your gentle compassion in sharing the final moments of Chris’ journey. No act of kindness went unnoticed Peter.

Twenty five years ago Chris’ life …and ours….. was enriched beyond measure by someone we all fell in love with from the very first meeting and she instantly became Auntie Sara. Chris and Sarah certainly embraced the notion of “journey” as they travelled to so many wonderful places like Italy for the Jubilee, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Fort Lauderdale and of course hs much loved Cruises….and we all know how much Chris loved his cruises. I am quite sure he already has next year’s March Break booked…..Celebrity Cruises will most certainly be sustaining some huge loses now….unless all of you call Colette to book one in his memory. As well as travel, Sarah brought with her another family for Chris to love ~ Mr. & Mrs. Russell, Tom and Brenda and their beautiful kids Abigaile, Samantha and Denver. Many happy memories were made playing Double’N’Threes and munching on "sticks" . ~Together Chris and Sarah shared everything …..except of course her love of country music. How do I possibly tell you how important Sarah was to Chris? …..she was quite literally his “everything” and he loved her right up to the very last breath of his life with her hand resting gently on his heart.

The other loves of Chris’ life were his many friends…..and boy….he had a lot of them. Please know you all were the treasures of his life.Darryl and Carolyn and Ben & Holly….from technology to Christmas outdoor decorations , your summer cruise, his well planned Holly Day, his kijiji ad, cottage maintenance to Friday nights at Swiss Chalet….Chris valued every single second he spent with you and loved you all very much. The Kerluke family…..years and years spent with each of you~ watching “little brother” Chris and Ti grow up ~ he was so proud of you….Tom his principal but more importantly his friend ~ ….Urs who shared her faith~ and many happy times with Chris over the years and yes "Sis"…I am including the sky ride at the CNE…..P.J & Kevin, Fr. Dave Fulton, Fr. Pat O’Dea, Msgr. Vid Vlasic, the Armstrong family, Donata, Olivia, John, Stan, Nisheeta, Gord and Clyde who presented the Caledon OPP award to recognize his charitable annual Christmas Children’s Party , Kevin, Dave, Marianne Laura & Sam, Anna, Brenda and the beautiful message from the students, and his annual prom date ~ Kathryn….. and all his friends from Hall…..thank you for being present in his life.

I think Chris was born a teacher. He loved going to work and retired at the end of June loving it as much on the last day as he did on the first. The numerous letters and testaments from parents, students and teachers are a reflection of how many lives Chris touched in his role as educator. So many beautiful tributes and stories have been shared with us ~ beautifully illustrated by this touching excerpt from a letter written to Chris in his final days ~ “You have definitely touched so many students hearts and have made such an impact on their lives. Seeing that student coming back to tell you how he is beating his drug addictions because it was so important to him that you were proud of him, tells me how students will always have a place in their hearts for you. Even the students who didn't even know that you secretly bought their Christmas gifts with your own money or paid for their prom. You even paid for students to apply to post secondary just so they didn't have any obstacle stopping them from pursuing their dreams. These students may not know that it was you behind the scenes making their dreams come true because you never wanted the recognition but I want you to know I recognized all the good you have done and it never went unnoticed with me and obviously with God. I guess I shouldn't of been so surprised when you called me this past Christmas offering to buy "our kids" whatever they needed for Christmas..even in retirement you continued to be so thoughtful and generous!” Wonderful people shared this journey ~and significant relationships evolved around the students and teachers, policing community members, and parents that came into his life. …..first as teacher and later as a Vice Principal. …..St. Christopher….Ascension ….St. Augustine…St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Notre Dame and his beloved Robert F. Hall…. You were all so important to him and daily happiness was the hallmark of your relationships….thank you for sending Chris off to retirement with a perfect evening….he was so touched by your speeches, songs and tributes …..right down to the decorations and choice of venue. And more….the day spent with the students was….in his own words….”one of the best days of my life”. Those of us blessed to be present for the final hours of Chris’ journey will be forever grateful to Father Bob for his moving, and touching Sacrament of the Sick ~ the beautiful words and prayers were a fitting tribute to a man of tremendous faith ~ who was lovingly surrounded by family and friends and Chris’ whisper of “Amen” reflected his presence in the moment ~ a gift to all of us.

I could go on and on….as Chris is a subject that I know well….we shared 57 years together…. I honestly thought we would be sharing a few decades more to add to my repertoire of Chris, but rather than mourn the memories that aren’t to be…. I will instead treasure the ones that were shared…..Death is a somber reminder ….….to embrace every single second……hug more….laugh a lot…..be grateful ….live with positive intentions and tell the people that matter that you love
them. His final gift was beautifully delivered moments before he left us. ….I asked if he was ready to leave….if mom and dad, BJ and Bette and Jack were there waiting for him…..he opened his eyes…and nodded a commanding yes…..how comforting!
And for those moments….when your heart is breaking because of the loss of Chris ~ turn to the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh :
If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.

Finally….
It seems fitting to end now with Chris’ own words…..”That’s all…that’s it….enjoy your bus rides home”.