Brother Ron

Karl's Blog. Stardate Blah Blah Blah,



When I have a rare window of opportunity to write my blog I try to do as much as I can about varied subjects.



My friend Dave (Hoffmann that is, not Claassen) informed me that being a leap year this year, we can finally commemorate the death of Brother Ron. The fucker died on a leap year, such a Bro. Ron thing to do.



For those not in the know and did not attend the Catholic penal correction centre otherwise known as Vancouver College, there was once a teacher and Christian Brother of the Edmundian Order named Brother Ron. In addition to his tenure at VC, he volunteered in programs aimed at helping the depressed, desolate, and others that most of society tends to ignore about. He was wise, a tortured soul, and a pretty cool guy to boot.



Unlike my colleagues, I was not acquainted with the man during my tenure at the school. I had met him for brief moments and sure as hell kept hearing about him from my friends.



I became acquainted after my graduation from the school. This was mainly due to my heavy involvement with the school via coaching football at first the Junior Varsity and then Varsity level, and by being the perpetual chaperone and supporter for my younger brother's high school basketball career.



It was during this time that I would finally have my conversations with this peculiar brother who had a penchant for Hawaiian shirts. It was then that I understood the hype and acclaim that my friends had garnered him. I cherished these talks with this man. Unlike other people, one knew that this man knew what true pain and depression was, either by a witness to or by experiencing it first-hand. He was aware of the hardship, anxiety, and depression I experienced throughout the latter half of my high school experience. Especially in my senior year. It was like something only veterans and teammates could only understand. He could see beyond the shell of stoicism that I projected and still do in a way.



I still to this day keep in my room a card from his funeral and a copy of the VC newspaper with the article where my friend John Mulholland interviewed Brother Ron because he felt the entire school should be made aware of this relatively unknown treasure. This also happens to be the same issue where I myself made my debut as a writer and added to my unlikely presence on campus.



While Brother Ron's passing a leap year ago was a sad occasion for me and everyone blessed to be in his presence, and throughout the years the circumstances behind it have been accumulating intrigue, Brother Ron would be pissed at us all for mourning him. He would prefer that we celebrate his life. For a man like him, one that has seen more than his fair share of death, that means a lot.



If my friends and I actually get together to celebrate the life of Brother Ron, then I'm sure to wear a Hawaiian shirt and that many a charred dead animal carcass will be consumed.



In the mean time, Sunday is Robbie Burns Day. I hope that my Football Club, DSBH, and you all have fun. To quote a famous Scotsman: "LET'S GET PISSED!!!"



End Transmission.