Patrick Lawrence Semple

This post is written to announce the passing of Patrick Lawrence Semple Sr, better known to us all as Dad, Grandpa or simply Pat. We would like to share a little about our Father to honor him, his life and his unique ways.

Before retirement he had a passion for working with his Clients at the John Howard Society. Dad lived a simple life enjoying nonfiction psych-based writings, bird watching in the park and a cold beer with Trebek over a game of Jeopardy. As a younger man Dad favored raising a glass playing Crib and Euchre over in-depth intellectual conversations for hours on end. As he aged, Dad still loved great conversation but trimmed most back to oh say 20 to 30 minutes or so before asking how you were spending the rest of your day? With his free thinking and unique self-expression Dad may not have always known the exact right thing to say but that did not stop him from saying what came to mind and bringing a smile to your face whether you felt awkward for smiling or not. His dry humor, wit and command of the English language gave him the ability to make you think, reflect, cringe and laugh, sometimes all at the same time.

Raised in Glasgow Scotland and Hamilton Ontario, Dad was a city man. While driving across Canada in 1989 he kept on about how he wanted to see a real Ram in the Rockies as he was an Aries and for years he proudly wore his gold Aries pendant on his necklace. Days later, in Alberta, his wish would become a reality at the side of the road in Banff. He slowly pulled up beside the biggest Ram in the pack, rolled down the window, turned his head toward the passenger seat and asked to have his picture snapped with this magnificent creature. Not a second after the pic was snapped the Ram began to smash its horns into the side of his prized Cordoba inches from his open window. In true outdoors-man fashion Dad peeled off barely staying on the narrow mountain road yelling something along the lines of, “Did you see that… DID YOU SEE THAT”.

One thing is certain, Dad lived life on his terms and will always be remembered and admired for it. He was deeply proud of the beautiful people his Daughter, Sons and Grandchildren grew to become. In the end this completed his life of simplicity. Undoubtedly, Dad is relaxing joining his Father, Mother and Sister Christine for a cup of tea and wishing it was a beer. Fondly remembered, never to be forgotten, we love you. Dad is survived by his daughter Tania, sons Patrick and Michael and grandchildren Michael Jr, Ryley, Teeya, Savannah and Thomas.