Mon bon pere
Fern was my father-in-law and as such he often scared me but he was always smiling behind his gruffness. He enjoyed making me feel nervous and he also enjoyed getting me in my cups by pouring me more wine than I could handle, until I discovered the only two ways you could say "no mas". I have great respect for Fern and his late wife Gilbert and will always remember them for their kindness and joie-de-vive. Fern's wine and Gilbert's cooking will forever be fond memories for me. The family feasts hosted by Fern and Gilbert were memorably delicious and at times a little feisty. Inevitably I was the butt of some prank or another.
I will never forget the time his dog Bull a very large choclate lab got into his fishing gear and got a fish hook stuck in his eyebrow. It was New Years Day and Marc Brideau was visiting them as well. For about one hour Fern, Marc and I tried to remove the hook. Marc and I trying to hold onto the dog while Fern tried to remove the hook with a pair of pliers. Each time we tried Bull would just shrug and Marc and i would go flying and Fern would curse all thee of us. In the end we had a beer and a good laugh. The next day the vet removed the hook but not after sedating Bull.
It is my sincere hope that they are together, dancing, having a glass of wine and watching over their clan of wonderful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their significant others.
Salut Fern
Posted by Mike McGonigal
Monday June 10, 2013 at 8:48 pm