Remembering

Today I remember my grandfather, Francis (Frank) Clements. He was in the Canadian Navy during World War II aboard a number of ships. The one he spoke of most often was the HMCS Oriole.

Like most sailors, he loved his rum, and always had a story that centered around drinking it. A Calgarian through and through, he grew up in Ogden in a house that is no longer there. He and my grandmother built their house in Spruce Cliff, and when they did, they were the only house around, and they looked out onto a horse field. After his death the house was sold (too quickly, in my opinion), but until his death he was the only original resident of the area.

In the war, Grandpa dealt with communications, which is probably why he was so fascinated and excited about cellular technology. He spent some time out on the west coast in the Race Rocks lighthouse – something not many people can say!

He remembered his time in the Navy with fondness, and was proud to be a veteran. He was also a Ham Radio Operator, and he faced a big dilemma when the veteran plates were introduced in Alberta, because he would be forced to give up his VE6AY license plate number.

It wasn’t until I started getting  older that my Grandpa Clements and I started to have a close bond. My husband was always able to talk to him for hours about the war, knowledge I always lacked. When Grandpa and Stu got going, I would just sit back and listen, and try to retain a little of what they said.

It was during one of these discussions that they learned that my Grandpa gave Stu’s grampy AND his buddy Jason’s grandfather a lift during one of the battles. Since they were from Toronto, New Brunswick and Calgary, this was a chance meeting indeed – imagine someone telling them that their grandchildren would come together in the most unusual way many, many years in the future.

In 1998, Grandpa decided he was going to live to see the millenium. He ushered it in, but didn’t stop there. After that he decided he would live to see his first great grandchild. James Edward Lynam was born February 21, 2009, a little over a year after he died. Until the end he was fascinated with computers and gadgets. It broke  my heart to see most of these things thrown away as the house was being sold, and to see his house sold all together. He loved gardening, and his huge back yard was mostly garden with the most beautiful flowers and unique plants. Throughout the year we would stroll the garden and he would tell me what each plant or flower was. Grandpa’s garden was a refuge for me many times, and sitting in the shade of the tree in the yard was one of my favourite things to do – a wonderful escape.

I miss you Grandpa, and I’m so proud of you and all of the things you accomplished and achieved in your long life. You were stubborn and determined – two traits I am proud to have had passed down to me. I remember you, and I will not forget the things you did for your country, your family and your granddaughter.