Connor Wayne Patrick McGrath

In my wildest dreams, I can't imagine how hard this is for his parents Kim and Gerald - along with his extended family in Newfoundland.

Connor was 13. But this kid... He was smart. He was funny. And not just funny 'for a kid' - or funny 'for a person battling something awful'. He was unqualified funny. He had that... thing.

That thing you see in great performers or comedy writers. A running commentary/observational skill people are just lucky to be born with.

He went way too early and it's impossible to reconcile. Connor was a great friend, a great son, and a light to the people lucky enough to know him. While repeatedly punching cancer in the balls, he made everyone laugh. Including the entire staff who cared for him at Edmonton's Stollery Children's Hospital.

It was the Make-A-Wish Foundation that brought us together. I can't thank them enough. Seriously. Thank you. Because of his wish, Connor was the first person to see Deadpool. I traveled up to Edmonton, Alberta to surprise him with a rough cut of the film. There were still huge sections with wires we hadn't yet painted out, jokes which weren't working (and still aren't) and green screens. Connor didn't seem to mind. And I'd never felt luckier to get to be Wade Wilson.

***Before you jump down my throat for showing a 13 year old an R-Rated film, please know this kid knew more swear words than a British chef.

I went back to Edmonton 6 weeks later and I wish I could say things were looking up. After my visit, I didn't know if I was saying goodbye or see ya later. Sitting here now, I realize it was both.

I'm grateful I got to orbit Connor's world for a brief time. Grateful for the pages and pages of hilarious texts between us. Grateful to his parents for allowing Connor to spend time with a foul-mouthed child in the body of a 39 year old.

I called Connor, "Bubba". And he called me "Bubba2". We met because he loved Deadpool. In a certain sense he WAS Deadpool. Or, at least everything Deadpool aspires to be; balancing pain, fearlessness, love and a filthy (filthy!) sense of humor in one body. I wish he could've stuck around a lot longer.

If you'd like to donate to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, I can pretty much guarantee, your money's going to a damn good place. These people do not suck. They are heroic. Full stop. http://makeawishna.ca/wishes/donate

My deepest condolences and thanks to Kim, Gerald and the entire clan McGrath -- who loved this little boy so very well. And thankfully, Connor knew it.

See ya down the road, Bubba.

- r

P.S. If you feel like hugging anyone today, (besides your kid) hug a nurse. The family understandably take time to grieve - nurses have to finish their shift.

Connor made me laugh. I can imagine he made you all laugh too. I can't think of a better way to remember this young man than through the art and power of comedy. What a way to live forever.

I like to think Connor's with us in every joke, every ironic play on words, every well timed politically incorrect zinger. Every time we laugh...

That's Connor saying hello.

Connor Wayne Patrick McGrath

Connor passed peacefully away at his home in Edmonton on Tuesday April 26, 2016 in the loving arms of his Parents and surrounded by extended family, Connor McGrath, aged 13. Predeceased by his Poppy ‘Grath, his uncle, Raymond McGrath, his Nanny Searle, and his Uncle Wayne John.

Connor is very loved and will be forever missed by his parents, Kim and Gerald; Special Auntie, Lucille Brooks; Uncles and Buddies to Connor, David Brooks and Raymond Searle; super cool cousin, Christopher Brooks; and Grandparents, Wayne Searle and Theresa McGrath.

He is survived , loved and missed by his Newfoundland Aunts and Uncles , Cyril and Ellen , Felix and Angela , Eric and Lisa , Pat and Theresa , George and Maxine , Peggy and Gerald , Jerome and Cathy , Hilda and Jerry , Amanda and Jason , Mildred , Loretta , Donnie , Julie McGrath and many cousins. Also his school family at St. Mark Jr High and St. Pius X schools; and Connor’s special friend, Ryan, who will also miss their daily chats.

To know Connor was to know compassion, happiness and unconditional love. He could hold a conversation with anyone, from the smallest of toddlers to the many adults that came into his life, and his smile will not soon be forgotten. Special thanks to Doctors, Nurses and staff of 4E2 and 4E3 at the Stollery for the exceptional care, support and love given to Connor and us over the last 3 years.

A visitation will take place at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton, with a Celebration of Connor’s Life at 3:00 pm, followed by light refreshments and fellowship. A Celebration of Connor’s Life will take place at Connor’s “Other Home” in Placentia, Newfoundland, date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, we graciously ask that you make a donation in Connor’s memory to either Kids With Cancer Society here in Edmonton or Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta.

‘Love you more, Boog’

* * * * * * * * * *

He passed peacefully away at his home in Edmonton on Tuesday April 26, 2016 in the loving arms of his Parents and surrounded by extended family, Connor McGrath, aged 13. Predeceased by his Poppy ‘Grath, his uncle, Raymond McGrath, his Nanny Searle, and his Uncle Wayne John.

Connor is very loved and will be forever missed by his parents, Kim and Gerald; Special Auntie, Lucille Brooks; Uncles and Buddies to Connor, David Brooks and Raymond Searle; super cool cousin, Christopher Brooks; and Grandparents, Wayne Searle and Theresa McGrath.

He is survived , loved and missed by his Newfoundland Aunts and Uncles , Cyril and Ellen , Felix and Angela , Eric and Lisa , Pat and Theresa , George and Maxine , Peggy and Gerald , Jerome and Cathy , Hilda and Jerry , Amanda and Jason , Mildred , Loretta , Donnie , Julie McGrath and many cousins. Also his school family at St. Mark Jr High and St. Pius X schools; and Connor’s special friend, Ryan, who will also miss their daily chats.

To know Connor was to know compassion, happiness and unconditional love. He could hold a conversation with anyone, from the smallest of toddlers to the many adults that came into his life, and his smile will not soon be forgotten. Special thanks to Doctors, Nurses and staff of 4E2 and 4E3 at the Stollery for the exceptional care, support and love given to Connor and us over the last 3 years.

A visitation will take place at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton, with a Celebration of Connor’s Life at 3:00 pm, followed by light refreshments and fellowship. A Celebration of Connor’s Life will take place at Connor’s “Other Home” in Placentia, Newfoundland, date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, we graciously ask that you make a donation in Connor’s memory to either Kids With Cancer Society here in Edmonton or Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta.

‘Love you more, Boog’