Lost my hero

[Nipfisher]

After posting last night on Wiser's thread about my grandpa living out his last days...he died peacefully in his sleep at 2am this morning. He was 97 years old.

 

Earl Rupert Duffield born March 25, 1914 - Not an ordinary Grandpa. My mother left my father in 1980 taking us 3 boys with her from B.C. to Kirkland Lake, Ontario. My Grandpa immediately stepped up and took on the "fathering role" He taught my little brother how to ride a bike the 1st summer we were there. He taght us all how to hunt, fish, drive, and how to be a man. Not sure how many hockey skates he tied lol. He NEVER drank or smoked a day in his life. He was a tough man that didn't complain. I have only seen him cry once, when my Grandma died 5 years ago. He continued to live independantly, drive, and joined his hunting group every fall until he was 95. He landed my P.B. walleye (9 lbs.) without a net and I will never forget that day. I have a great picture I will scan and post later.

 

Just wanted to share with you all. I will celebrate his life and miss him every single day.

 

Mercman, My boat will will have E.R.D. 97 added on with vinyl graphics as soon as I am back in town.

[blarg]

Condolences to you and your family.

[adolson]

I'm sorry to hear that, man. He sounds like an excellent role model, and I'm glad you got to spend that time with someone so respectable. I'm really sorry for your loss.

 

I lost my grandma last year, the sweetest lady I've ever known. The sting of losing her was amplified by my family deciding that her birthday was most certainly not an appropriate day to hold her funeral. Instead, they held it on MY birthday. I couldn't even stay for the whole thing because I had scheduled my G driving test for my birthday, figuring, there's no way that if she passed on, that my family would put it on my birthday. Oh how wrong I was. I don't think she would have been impressed with them. But anyhow, it sucks when we lose true gems.

[Big Cliff]

What a wonderful tribute! The legacy he left behind is in you and your brothers and I am sure will be carried on through your children and their children's children. While he may be gone the things he did will have an effect for ever. Keep him in your heart, I have a feeling he'd like it there!

 

God Bless!

[John]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. You wrote a great tribute to your Grandpa. I'm sure that he will be with you always.

[mercman]

My Dear friend,

 

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your familly. Your Grandfather sounds alot like my Dad.An outdoorsman who passed his curiosity and love of the outdoors with us kids.

You will forever be reminded of the good times you had, everytime you put your boat on the water.Everytime i am in my boat, the D.R. White, dad and i are reunited.

So will you and your Grandpa, Friend. Long Live the E.R.D.97 !!

 

Peace

 

Paul

[bassdreamer]

My condolences to you and your family.

[Musky or Specks]

Sad news for you and your family. Honour the man and keep the tradition going.

[crappieperchhunter]

Thx for sharing that.

 

ERD 97 graphics on the boat is a fine way to remember someone who meant so much to you and your family. I'm sure he would appreciate being in your thoughts everytime you headed out on the water.

 

Sounds like heaven got another good one.

 

My condolences to you and yours.

Edited August 5, 2011 by crappieperchhunter

[Squid]

Sounds to me like he had a great life, one to be celebrated!!

[irishfield]

97.. WOW.. what a ride I'm sure. You've done him great justice in your small dedication in post #1 fella.

 

Lots of happy memories, it sounds, to keep his legacy burning on !

[Dave Bailey]

I'm with Squid on this one, sounds like a time to celebrate a life well lived. Keep the sadness to a minimum and remember the great times, seems as if there were plenty of them.

[grimsbylander]

Very sorry for your loss.

 

How very fortunate for you and your family to have such a wonderful man as part of your family....and how fantastic for him to have family that cared about him for what is gave back to you all.

[bigugli]

Do not be sad. He lived a long and full life, and blessed your family with more than a lifetime of memories. He was, obviously , a great influence on your life. Pass on what he passed on to you, and he lives forever.

[spincast]

Condolences on your loss. He was obviously a man of great stature - (height is measured in inches; stature is measured by how others percieve us). As others have said - From what you have shared I do not think he would want you to mourn his passing, but rather celebrate his life.

[misfish]

What Bruce said. You had the pleasure to have the company of a great man by the sounds of it.

 

Condolences on your loss.

[Joey]

Sorry to hear that, my condolances to you and your family. He sounds like he was a wonderful human being!

[splashhopper]

prayers fromour family to yours...

[DT10Sam]

My condolences to you and your family, a nice tribute to a great man.

 

Regards,

Sam

[jim]

Nipper, you sound like the kind of Grandson, that all us old farts are looking for. Your Grandpa is a lucky man. He will live with you, always.!

[Nipfisher]

Thanks to everyone for your kind replies. I know this is a fishing community forum but there is no place like OFC for the community response. I thank you all.

[Rod Caster]

Blair: Sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like a great man and his legacy WILL live on!

[Roy]

My condolences to you and yours, Blair. Sounds as though you were both very fortunate to have each other.

[Spiel]

A wonderful tribute.

My sincerest condolences.

[pikehunter]

Sorry to hear the sad news. 97, great age to live to. Nice tribute to put on your boat, was thinking the same when my father went, just couldn't decide on what to put on it. Glad you know how to do it.

 

Best wishes to you and your family.