Saturday, April 18, 2020
/public-file/1208/Ultra/249ec7ee-de0e-4682-8625-9ba48e723d52.jpeg
A Daughter’s Tribute to her Dad
Today I would like to honour my Dad by writing a few words about him. For those of you who might not know me, my name is Nancy, and I am Marven O’Neil’s daughter. I was fortunate to be raised by an amazing man. My Dad was kind, loving, compassionate, hard working, and talented. He cherished my mom, his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren, Sawyer and Mila. He was able to watch his grandchildren grow up and to share in their accomplishments. They were fortunate to have their incredible Grandfather in their lives.
I had the privilege of keeping my Dad company and staying with him while my mom was in the hospital a couple of years ago. Our evenings together were spent talking and reminiscing about what life was like when he was a little boy. As a child my Dad grew up on Galloway Avenue. Growing up, Dad enjoyed playing cricket, racing pigeons, riding his bike along the tracks, and caring for his pet rabbits. He attended Faraday School until grade 9, and then he attended Isaac Newton for grades 10, 11, and 12. It was in middle school when Dad first met Uncle Laurence and Eddie. My dad, Uncle Laurence, and Eddie became the best of friends. These dear friends were the groomsmen at his wedding to my mom. Even in their golden years, my Uncle Laurence, Eddie, and my Dad talked on the phone every day.
Work was a very important part of my Dad’s life. When Dad graduated from high school, he worked at The T. Eaton Company. He started off packing groceries in the basement, but quickly moved up into sales, and then into upper management. Dad managed various departments, and he was instrumental in opening up the St. Vital and Polo Park locations. He was a hard worker, and he took great pride in a job well done. He instilled in me this strong work ethic. I remember taking my children to Eaton’s, when they were little, to visit my Dad while he was working. We always received a warm welcome from his staff when they found out we were ‘Marven’s family’. He was deeply respected and loved by his employees, and he treated the people he worked with like family. My Dad was so proud of his family, and he loved introducing his grandchildren to his work family at our annual Santa Claus Breakfasts.
Education was extremely important to my Dad. He was a life long learner, and he had a passion for learning new things. Dad was proud that I became a teacher, and he often asked me about my class and how school was going. Dad took a great interest in the education of his grandchildren. He often asked them about how they were doing in school, and he wanted to see their report cards so that he could celebrate in their accomplishments. My Dad always gave them a special treat for passing and for working hard in school. He was so proud of his grandchildren, and he was fortunate to see them grow up to pursue their dreams.
My Dad first met my mom at the Ukrainian Hall, and he asked my mom to dance. It was love at first sight. Eventually, my Dad married my mom and they started their new life together on Electa Street. They lived in this house all of their of married life.
I have fond memories as a child, helping my Dad garden and talking with him. He supported my decisions 100%, and I knew I could count on him for sound and honest advice. He loved all animals, except maybe cats. Dad’s love for birds was evident when I found a crow, we later named Joe, that could not be released back into the wild. My Dad made a giant enclosure, and we kept Joe for many years. My Dad enjoyed working with his hands. He had a collection of meticulously cleaned and organized tools in his garage, and he had many projects on the go. My Dad made many things including tables, sandboxes for the grandkids, martin houses, bird feeders, and birdhouses. He inspired Steven’s love of woodworking, and he was so proud when Steven chose carpentry for a career. My Dad was a handy man, and he taught himself how to fix the plumbing and do electrical work. I knew I could call my Dad to help, if something needed attention. He was only a phone call away. Growing up, I remember going on fishing trips and picnics with my Mom and Dad. He loved building and flying kites, and during picnics, we would fly these homemade kites with my Dad. Dad also enjoyed making and flying remote control model airplanes. He enjoyed feeding the birds and watching the martins raise their young in the martin houses he has built for them. We had a beautiful fish pond in our backyard filled with water lilies and Koi fish, and my Dad had a huge aquarium in his basement, where he raised angelfish.
When Gord and I were married and we bought our first house on Sunnyside, Dad helped us paint, wallpaper and remodel. He spent endless hours helping us to make our home special. He was a perfectionist. As with renovations on an older home, you uncover things that need to be addressed. It didn’t matter how small – ‘things needed to be done right’. We would say ‘No one will see it’ or ‘Let’s just leave it.’ Dad would not accept shoddy workmanship. He would always insist, ‘I’ll know it’s there.’ and he would say, ‘No use doing a half fast job. It needs to be done right’.
My Dad was an avid gardener, and in his leisure time, he enjoyed tending to his flower and vegetable gardens. Even after his fall, when I went to visit him in the hospital, Dad gave me detailed instructions on how to tie the tomato plants and to help myself if there was a red one.
My Dad never let his age, stop him from doing what he loved. He was stubborn, proud and independent. Despite a sore back, bad knees, and macular degeneration, he continued doing what he loved doing throughout his entire life.
Some of my Dad’s favorites: Dad’s favorite flower was the geranium. His yard was full of them, and he would slip them and care for them indoors over the winter months. One of my Dad’s favorite suppers was my mom’s specialty, stewed tomatoes on toast. He savoured my mom’s homemade dill pickles, and each meal, in the summer, had a side of sliced cucumbers and green onions, with a little vinegar and a lot of salt. Everything tasted better with Bon Appetit, and my Dad loved his sweets. He made the best scrambled eggs and potato pancakes, and these were a tradition when he and my mom made Christmas Brunch!
It is with great sadness I say goodbye to my incredible Dad. I am going to miss you more than I can say. Dad cherished us all. I will always be thankful for the influence my Dad has had on my life, and the lasting memories he shared with Steven and Jennifer. Thanks Dad, for being such a loving Husband to Mom, Father to me, Grandfather to Steven and Jen, and Great-Grandfather to Sawyer and Mila. I know you are watching over us from Heaven.
I Love You More,
Nancy
