1938 –The creation of Snow White, the rise of Hitler, and the year the Maple Leafs scored 8 goals in 5 minutes. Also, the birth of Robert Patrick O’Grady. Robert Patrick O’Grady 1938 – 2015. In the world, we saw the end of the depression and the beginning of WWII. We entered the Space age and introduced nuclear energy. We saw the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. The blockage of Cuba and its’ release. The collapse of the Soviet Union, Watergate, Chernobyl, Desert Storm, and 9/11. But how did Dad, Grampie, Grandpa, Pat, R.P., Fit, the Silver Fox or the Candy Man fill his dash? Born 11th of 12 children to Genevieve (Leeder) and Leonard O’Grady. The large, Catholic family settled on Wall Street, Brockville, ON. He was to be baptised “Roger Desmond”, however returned from St. Francis Xavier as “Robert Patrick”, forever to be called “Roger” by his father. Growing up, “Uncle” Pat’s closest friends were often his many nieces and nephews, the children of his older siblings. The “middle” siblings loved to spoil Pat, and his youngest sister, Margie, with red licorice on payday. Speaking with friends and family, many things hold true throughout the years: Pat loved fun; a good joke; sports; and travel. All through school Pat could be found on a football field, a basketball court, or doing flips into the river. He graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Physical Education and Physics. After teaching for a year in Barrie, he and his good friend, Robert Curry, travelled to Nassau and Jamaica. Pat returned to Kingston to begin teaching at Frontenac Secondary School. It was here that he met his future wife of 50 years, Barbara McKibbin. A son, Luke, was born. Pat, and his young family, moved to Brockville where he began a teaching position at TISS. At this time, they added a daughter, Kim, to their family. Pat passed on his athletic abilities to his children, who both enjoyed success in many athletic endeavors. Smiles abound remembering camping trips to the Maritimes, visiting in Alberta, and Disneyland. Nag, the ghost who lived on Wall Street, the Candy Man, who showered unsuspecting children with fistfuls of candy, and coin dives in the backyard pool are all great examples of the fun had growing up on Orchard Street. Over the next 30 years, Pat’s position at TISS changed and grew. He entered TISS as a physics and phys. ed. teacher. He spent his weekends teaching phys. ed. to kindergarten-aged children. He coached football and boys basketball for many seasons. He became the head of the Phys. Ed. Department, a guidance councillor, he designed an outdoor survival class, and also held his Principal papers. TISS was also the birth of his first “stash”. Each year a container on his desk slowly filled with change that he found in the halls and every year the familys’ summer started with a pizza party with that change. Over the years the stashes changed. When he quit smoking in June of 1988 he faithfully set the money aside every day. Each year in June, the stash would be cashed in and he would host a family celebration. When he retired from teaching in 1995, his smoking stash had accumulated far beyond a yearly party, so he decided to purchase his first racehorse. He and Barb moved to acreage outside of Brockville where they could foal and raise thoroughbreds. Spring and summer were busy with young foals being born and trained and, the older horses, being raced. In the fall, he kept a close eye on the NFL, offering words of wisdom as required, and travelling with the RTO, visiting many places around the world. Winters, took Barb and Pat to Florida, for a little warmth, a little relaxation, but also to continue to watch their horses train and grow. The racehorses brought about another “stash”. On the Friday of his death, a Champagne party had been planned to celebrate his horses’ season at the track. My dad always said he would win the lottery one day. Whether it be Lotto 6/49, or the Cinderella horse, he knew he would win. I think he hit the jackpot! Godspeed, Dad!