Lance posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
While I hadn’t seen Al much in the last few years, our paths did cross recently at the bank where I worked. He was chipper and readily able to talk my ear off (as was usually the case). It was good to see him and catch up.
Al, while a very complicated person (I’ve known him at least 15 years), was a great deal more intelligent than he let on. He was insightful and philosophical at times. While he might get a story or two mixed up from time to time, he always knew the point he was trying to drive home.
I moved back to Brockville nearly 6 years ago, and during my moving in, Al happened to walk by. Always willing to help, he just started grabbing boxes and stayed for the entirety of the job - working circles around all of us (including three young, and energetic friends of mine). After a pizza dinner, we shared some good laughs, and off he went. I rarely saw him after that, but when I did, he was always good for a long (very long), conversation. He’d always pat my bald head, and belly and tell me I should work on getting rid of that! (The belly- not the baldness). He reminded me that regardless of social status, we all have a place in this world. No matter what inner demons we might have, we’re all still human.
Thanks for the memories, friend! Say hi to Winky (the Expo 67 elephant he spoke of in some of his earliest memories). And know, the Habs will go on stinking up the NHL in your honour moving forward, I guarantee! (Being a Leaf fan, I can promise you it DOESN’T get better).
Lance Charlton
