JACQUES' EULOGY

We gathered today to honour the memory of Jacques Carron. About 100 people attended the memorial which was officiated by Father Eric Mah of Blessed Trinity Parish in Willowdale.

It was great to see former colleagues like Tom Sullivan, Peter Lee, Ailix Will, Joe Younder, Joe Brisbois and Shirley Gasperet as well as a number of Brebeuf grads. It was also nice to be in the company of Jacques’ family once again. I even managed to score a package of homemade peanut brittle from Jacques’ brother Rene.

The service was concluded by the reading of Jacques’ eulogy by his sister-in-law Judy in English and by good friend Andre in French. Hearing the text that Jacques and I worked on in his backyard three months ago reminded me of his courage, his generosity and his strength of character. Though he knew the end was in sight, he was determined to leave this world with dignity and grace.

Here is the text of Jacques’ eulogy.



Dear brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, dear friends.

It’s not often that you attend a memorial gathering and hear a eulogy that’s been prepared by the deceased. But then again, you all know I was never your average guy.

I feel so fortunate to have had these last few weeks to put everything in order, to say my goodbyes, to share some good memories with friends, to enjoy my backyard, to play an evening game of cards with family and put a few of my thoughts into words as I close out my journey.

My message for all of you actually centers on two words; attitude and gratitude.

I’d like to thank Cathy Pieroni and the Art Department of Brebeuf College for helping me with the visuals to help illustrate what I want to say.

The first drawing shows two raised fists, fists with power, energy and determination, fists that are ready to fight, to challenge, to defeat.

Now, I want you to use your imagination for a moment. Close your eyes if it helps. I want you to visualize those fists opening up, the arms relaxing, then coming down slowly with palms up and then spreading forward in a welcoming gesture, a gesture of peace, a gesture calm, a gesture that says be still, be still mes amis.

My two fisted attitude of confrontation that existed at the outset of my illness transformed into the open hands of acceptance, the acceptance of the will of God. He wants me to come home, a bit too early as far as I’m concerned but there’s really no arguing with the boss is there?

A meaningful life is all about attitude. Let yours be one that wills the good of others, that sees the glass half full, that welcomes the rain as well as the sunshine, an attitude that says……. Lord, Thank you for the gift of this day, May Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The second drawing, the one that shows two hands clasped together, reminds me of gratitude; it’s the embrace that welcomes a good friend, the embrace that says I care about you, the embrace that says thanks for stopping by and spending time with me.

Life is all about gratitude and love. May I express my sincerest gratitude to all of you for your friendship, your kindness, your affection, your support. My life has been blessed with so many wonderful friendships. You’ve made me feel tremendously rich. Know that I will never forget you. I love you all from the depth of my heart.

In particular I’d like to thank in a special way my dear sister Fran, my brother Roger and his wife Marcia. They have shown amazing patience and caring with their physical, emotional and spiritual support over this last part of my journey. Vous êtes mes anges.

In closing, I’d like to add a few words that may have a familiar ring to them. They come from Jack Layton’s last letter to Canadians. I can only echo his sentiments when he wrote,

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

Finally, know that I’ve got a most special friend taking this last journey with me, my faithful companion of almost twenty years, my dear dog JJ. May his ashes remain at my side forever.

Au revoir tous mes amis. A la prochaine.