An Ode to Rick Grimard

/ andyveilleux

It saddens me greatly to announce the passing of Rick Grimard, my condolences go out to the Grimard family.
To say that Rick Grimard was a caring man, would be a complete understatement. He was the embodiment of caring. He was always generous, and would give you the shirt off of his back if you asked him for it.
Rick was a member of the Buckeye hunt club, situated on Manitoulin Island. Rick was one of the fundamental members of the club, oftentimes the voice of reason and empathy within the camp. As Ed put it, Rick was “the biggest heart in the Buckeye hunt club.” He had a way of touching the heart of anyone he met, making them feel accepted and cared for. Ask any of the next generation in the Buckeye hunt club, and you will certainly here about how much he cared about making us feel welcome, and helping us with anything we needed.
There are few people like Rick. His friendly attitude, and help-at-all-costs attitude is going to be sorely missed in a world where the speed of life seems to move faster by the day, causing people to feel lost and on their own.
You can’t replace a man like Rick, no matter how hard you try. Genuine people such as Rick are one in a million.
Rick was one of many of the hunt club members who helped me grow, and guided me in the right direction with my life. I can not explain what he meant to myself, my father, or the rest of our family. I couldn’t think of a better place to pass away for someone who meant so much to the camp, and loved the camp so much, then at the camp.
It is the job of everyone to carry empathy and compassion in their hearts, in memory of Rick.
Thank you for everything you’ve given us Rick, we love you. May you rest in peace.

8 thoughts on “An Ode to Rick Grimard”

  1. I stumbled across this completely by accident by typing a search in on my Dad’s name. I was shocked when I saw this. Your words about my father are just so true and sound remarkably like the eulogy we wrote for him.

    Thank you for this. It is both kind and heartwarming.

    Rachel

    Reply

      • Just thought I’d share.
        The eulogy we wrote – first portion was done by myself, my brother Shawn and my Mom, Lana. The second portion I wrote myself and no one knew until I read it at the service:

        What do you say about Dad?
        He could be pretty funny. He could be pretty serious.
        He could be very loving. He was always very giving.
        He sure knew how to argue, being the true McLean that he was. That talent came in handy during his many years in the Union.
        He always knew how to give tremendously from his great big generous heart. That came naturally from within him.
        He could be grumpy. He could be goofy.
        He could be romantic. He could be completely business-like.
        He worked all ends of the emotional spectrum.
        But all of us who knew and loved him would have to say, he was always the eternal big brother to both his family and friends.
        Always looking out for everyone else and rarely asking for anything for himself.
        We will love you forever, Dad.
        Above all else, you are completely irreplaceable.
        _________________________________________________________
        My Dad was always someone who would get up at an event or gathering to say something. It was just another small way he would make people feel special or say a little something when maybe no one else could. Sometimes he would tell some jokes, and sometimes those jokes were only funny to him, but either way Dad always made an effort to touch people with even just a simple speech. The one thing I know most of all is how full of love my Dad was. He was kind, compassionate, loving, caring…to everyone that ever crossed his path. His heart was just so big and full of loving characteristics. It may be said that Dad died of a heart attack but for me, I think he died because his heart was just too big. All of the love, and caring and passion he had for things or people in his life just filled up his heart so much and made it too big for him. Even though now my heart is just so empty without him, I can only hope that one day it will fill again with all of the same love and giving spirits that were in his heart and that he taught me throughout my life. I love you so much Dad.

      • Beautifully written, you have a gift with words Rachel. Thank you for sharing that eulogy, I hope it lets people know just how much Rick meant to us all.

      • Andy, thank you SO much for your Ode to Rick. It really touched my heart that you spoke so highly of my husband. We never knew each other, but your Ode has made me feel a special bond with you, and I will never forget your beautiful words. Thank you again.
        Lana

      • Dear Lana,

        you honour me with your words. I can only hope my writing immortalizes a part of what Rick truly meant to all of us, and that others may get a feeling for just how special he was.

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