I met Tim in 7th grade and we immediately became close. I coined him "Pumpkin" for such a perfectly round head. I remember helping him with his paper route when he went out of town. It left lasting impressions on me about his level of responsibility, commitment and dedication, not to mention getting up in the dark every morning, that he shouldered at a young age to earn some spending money.
His Mom and Dad were the only parents of my friends who would allow their son to join me on a huge expedition at a young age. We had both just gotten brand new Schwinn Varsity 10-speeds and decided in the spring of our 13th year to take a 230 mile bike trip to our cabin in Canada. We biked two 90 mile days and one 50 mile day, staying in a hotel one night and at a family friends house the next.
Laying in the hotel bed the first night, we argued over who would be the one to fake a medical issue (seriously sore butt) to be able to quit and be picked up by my family on their way to the cabin. Pumpkin lost the coin flip, but calling from Goderich the next day, my Dad convinced us that quitting was not part of the program; we made a commitment and had a responsibility to complete it. And we did.
Wendy joined my sister and family at the cabin that Memorial weekend. Tim and I had climbed this huge, three story staircase that was attached to a building when my sister and Wendy showed up. Wendy jumped on Tim's prized possession, his 10-speed, and took off down the gravel road. Tim was furious! He slid down the pole that held up the stairs with lightning speed and chased down the fleeting, now scared to death big sister. She dropped the bike and ran for her life while Tim inspected his bike for scratches and hurled a few obscenities here way.
We learned a tremendous lesson on that trip that carried with us for life and cemented a bond between us that would never weaken.
I recall when he slid his motorcycle under a car that had cut him off on the way to school one morning, coming out without a scratch. I know it made him a better and safer rider; I know it left an everlasting impression on me.
There was the time Tim, Lenore, Marcia and I fished off of Leeland one August many moons ago. Tim was not at 100% due to ongoing treatments, but managed to reel in our only fish, a huge King Salmon. He was blown away and kept saying "I did it! I did it!". After what he had been through,to see him excited about living was huge. That day kicked off a passion for Salmon fishing that never ended.
I have so many great memories with Tim that I could go on forever. Marcia and I were extremely lucky to have breakfast with Tim and Lenore a week before he passed. For that we will be incredibly thankful.
We will miss his sarcasm and love, but know he had a great, fulfilling life.
Love you Pumpkin,
George and Marcia Freeman
