Farewell to Goode

Twenty years ago, I was a young man participating in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Four years of my high school life, I had a second existence as an Air Cadet. It was a heck of a good time. Lots of new experiences, new places, new adventures - and best of all, it was free.

The Commanding Officer of my local Squadron was Captain Bob Goode. He was a good man. Intimidated the heck out of me, as he was a big guy and he could be very intimidating. But he was kind and fair. As I participated in many of the facets of squadron activities, he and his family were a part of the action. You always knew that if they were providing the food, it would be good. No small surprise that they had a catering company called, aptly, Goode Food.

Sadly, this man who was a mentor to many, many people died March 28th. Another good man taken out by cancer. I have left the city of my youth, and I haven't thought of Bob in a long time. But, as one of the hallmarks of growing further into adulthood, I was struck when I learned that this pillar of my youth had fallen. I was glad to learn that he went as he lived, surrounded by those who loved him.

So long Bob - Per Ardua Ad Astra