Mr. Robert Magpile

MAGPILE, Robert - Now at Peace with The Lord, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at the age of 48 years. Robert, husband and best friend of Aleli. Predeceased by his parents, Fabian and Paz. Survived by his brothers and sisters Mario and Lina, Medy and John, Mel and Danny, Manny and Bernadette, Jaime and Maria, Edith and Si, Aida and Ed, Margie and Martha. Will be missed by Letty, wife of the late Rey De Villon Sr. Will be missed by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Sam, Rey Jr. (Bobot) and Marita, Maila and Ned. Cherished uncle and great-uncle of many nieces and nephews. Friends may visit at the JERRETT FUNERAL HOME, 6191 Yonge St., North York (2 lights south of Steeles Ave.) on Friday, July 31, 2009 from 2-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the Jerrett Funeral Chapel on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment at Highland Memory Gardens.

July 29, 2010 - A year ago today, we said our last goodbyes. Today, we remember you by putting in writing how and what we feel since you left us. We know that you are happy where you are and this provides us comfort. Nevertheless, we miss you terribly, Robert. In your honour and memory, we offer our thoughts of you in this Biography which begins as follows:

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." (Norman Cousins)

As long as I can, I will look at this world for both of us. As long as I can, I will continue doing the things we cherished and enjoyed doing together - I will travel the world and visit most interesting places; I will sing with the birds; I will smell the sweet scent of the flowers; I will pause awhile and take pleasure in the refreshing scent of the evergreens; I will look at the stars and know that you are looking down at me; I will listen to your laughter; I will dream your dreams. All these until you come for me. I miss you terribly, Honey. (Li)

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Robert Magpile was a very kind and loving man. We, my brother Nathan and my sister Nizel miss him dearly. His laughter and words of wisdom to everyone will forever stay in our hearts.

Uncle Robert would make any of his nephews as an excuse to buy Baskin Robbins ice cream. Our favourite is the Jamoca Almond Fudge which was also his fave.

He was always dressed with all these name brands such as Burberry which I thought made him debonair. Thus, I wore a Burberry tie in his honour then.

I will always think about Uncle Robert every time I go on a cruise and have "sprinkles" ice cream by the pool and the flow rider.

We are really saddened but I know that this is only a temporary goodbye and I know that he is happy "up there" with Tatay. He was a great uncle, will always be and never be forgotten.

For my Ate Tita Li, we love you and will always be here for you, same goes to Poco and Gringo. (Noah)

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Uncle Robert was a good man, he was always nice to us, even when he was tired and sick, he would always help us out and make us laugh. He is dearly missed and my best regards to Ate Tita. (Ryan)

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My Brother Robert.

Who was Robert? What kind of a person was he? What do I remember most about him? These are the question I was able to answer within the last 5 years of his life. I never really knew much about my brother because of the age difference; all I knew was he is my baby brother. That all changed when he got cancer. Like any older brother, I spent some time with him during his tests, operations and chemo treatments at Sunnybrook Hospital and Roswell Cancer Center (Buffalo, NY), during which, for the first time in my life, I finally got to know him personally. He was a joker, outgoing and a very determined person.

But what made him stand out from the rest of us was how he looked at life and how he lived it. Whether this was the result of what was about to happen to him is irrelevant. What is important is the change he made to be a better person to his brothers, sisters and loved ones. He became very understanding; he never uttered bitterness or complaints to anybody and he stressed to me how the gift of Life is the most important thing that GOD gave us and it's our responsibility to preserve it.

I miss driving with him to Buffalo for his treatment. I miss how we reminded each other of our IPods so while he was receiving chemo in bed, and I was stretched out in the sofa, we would both listen to our music and sometimes even exchange IPods. We also have lunch together before heading back to Toronto and while driving back we would tell jokes and have silly conversations just to pass the time. He never talked about his pain except on 2 occasions which I would hold his and I told him how much I was willing to take some of his pain and he would reply "you already did" by just being here with me.

My baby brother has outgrown me – leaving me with such wisdom, compassion, and understanding. He has given me the strength to know what's important, what matters and how one person could make a difference. He lived his life to the fullest, never regretting how he did it. He tried his best to be a better person by which I believe he did, and if there is anyone who can say I did it all it was my brother Robert who is looking down on us right now smiling to see us all together for him. He has achieved the ultimate journey of his life and that is with our Creator. I also know that Mom and Dad have welcomed him and that GOD is looking after them. I am blessed to have a brother like Robert who taught me how precious life is and the special moment we had together.

You are at peace my brother till we meet again.

I also would like to thank Aleli for giving me this opportunity to express my experience with Robert and the time I spent with him. Thank you for the love, the care and the strength you've given Robert and the many wonderful happy memories you share with Robert. (Jaime)

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Sept. 11, 2010 - Today, a friend from high school shared a link to this song on Facebook. I am now posting the lyrics here, for you Robert. I miss you, Honey. (Li)

"To Where You Are" (Sung by Josh Groban; Music & Lyrics: Richard Marx and Linda Thompson; Piano: Randy Foster)

Who can say for certain/Maybe you’re still here/I feel you all around me/Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness/I can hear you speak/You’re still an inspiration/Can it be

That you are mine/Forever love/And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are/Beyond the distant star/I wish upon tonight/To see you smile/If only for awhile to know you’re there/A breath away’s not far/To where you are

Are you gently sleeping/Here inside my dream/And isn’t faith believing/All power can’t be seen

As my heart holds you/Just one beat away/I cherish all you gave me everyday

’Cause you are mine/Forever love/Watching me from up above

And I believe/That angels breathe/And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up/To where you are/Beyond the distant star/I wish upon tonight/To see you smile/If only for awhile/To know you’re there/A breath away’s not far/To where you are

I know you’re there/A breath away’s not far/To where you are