The memorial for John is being held today in Washington State.
I can’t be there.
But I’ll be thinking of him and his widow Linda. They ran NASA Gymnastics.
John was of the classiest gentlemen in Gymnastics. A quality guy.
He was not much older than me. Complications from early onset Alzheimer’s.
The only hostel in Doha was flooded. I went, instead, to the official media hotel.
Huge. It was kind of nice to have a nice hotel at the World Gymnastics Championships for a change.
Location is terrible. Near nothing.
But I didn’t move as transportation to and from the arena was provided.
Cost US$83 / day.
I’m sad to be missing the event in Calgary. (I’ll be getting released from hospital. Hernia surgery.)
Jill was one of my favourite people. Jill was one of everyone’s favourite people.
My Mom, a close friend, was unable to travel to Calgary for it. But I helped her put together a remembrance letter.
In Loving Memory :
Margaret Monica Jill Prendergast
April 18th, 1937 – May 7th, 2018
… Vibrant to the end !
A Crescent Heights Gymnast & Miss Calgary runner-up, Jill Verdi married a Calgary Stampeder football player, raised 3 children with un-conditional love ( and many a puppy too ). Jill dedicated herself, not only to Her children, but to all Her family.
She debuted the Calgary Drift Races, instructed Aerobics Fitness classes (even before before Jane Fonda). Jill was the Head Judge for Canadian Women’s Gymnastics for a period, and dedicated Her career to the Alberta Gymnastics Federation. Among Her activities : Jill skied, snow-shoed and walked the paths of Calgary City and Provincial Parks. She was a keen adept, right to the end, of yoga, line-dancing, and skating ( Jill skated at Optimist Arena with her oxygen tank at 80 ). She loved Her garden and bird feeders. Up ’till recently, She volunteered as a Bluebird Nesting watcher along the Millarville roads.
A society lady without pretensions, Jill could always recognize anyone with qualities of heart. Her many friendships spanned the social kaleidoscope and often endured for a lifetime. Unbending in honesty, fidelity & integrity, She shared, helped and gave to others. She grieved the loss of a daughter. Family and Friends feel nothing but gratitude and privilege to have been graced by Her presence in our lives.
For a True Lady … We All Cry!
Published in The Calgary Herald on May 23, 2018
For the past 7 weeks I’ve been resident in the first European town in the new world. It was settled in 1612.
I’ve been coaching and consulting for Bermuda Gymnastics. Interim Men’s Head Coach.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
After a couple of weeks I felt far more resident than tourist. Those cruise ship folks are embarrassing. 😎
I’m coaching and consulting in Bermuda for about 7 weeks.
Most nights when I get home from the Gym I fix myself a cup of Earl Grey … and walk across the street to the graveyard to enjoy the dying of the light.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
That video was taken on my iPhone X smoothed out by my Osmo Mobile 2 gimble.
That auto edit took just seconds on the DJI GO app.
I grew up in a city with very few African Canadians.
I recall the first black kid I met. He became a school hero after a math teacher we disliked was fired for some racist comment.
Later my black friend Dave Green became assistant coach at Altadore. He was mostly embarrassed for me. Dave was cool. I was not. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
related – 7 things black people want their well-meaning white friends to know.
