Stanley Everett Lynk

This isn’t an obit, albeit Papa jokingly checked for his own each day in the paper.

Something you do at 95 years of age.

This is a love story - with a beginning, middle and end.

Stanley was born into love - especially from his mother Mabel - on November 18th, 1926.

He was a Scottish Cape Bretoner from Reserve Mines.

Hard work in the coal mines fed generations of his family, but not abundantly, hence their deep belief in unions and social justice…..and humour.

Papa’s favourite pastime was laughing - especially at his own jokes.

And he was a famous storyteller.

Did he ever tell you about the time he was sitting next to Pierre Trudeau on an airplane?

Stan hated flying. The last time he flew was a small plane with windows that opened.

Trudeau, a seasoned traveler, fell asleep.

Dad, in the aisle seat, starts to feel sick. There was no airbag. In a panic, he reaches over the sleeping Trudeau, trying to open the window, that of course doesn’t open.

And then….he throws up all over the sleeping Prime Minister.

Papa panics. But he’s quick and wakes up Trudeau, asking: “Are you feeling better?”

Trudeau begins apologizing….

This story is…not true. Sorry to legions who thought it was. (Thank you Hughie & Allen)

And when Papa would tell one of his “stories” to dinner guests, if we didn’t play along, our mother would kick us under the table. She was his straight man, and she expected nothing less from her children.

Her name was Sarah. She met Dad, not long after her immigrant Lebanese/Syrian Muslim family finally allowed her to move from Bridgewater to the big city of Halifax - to attend nursing school.

It was on a blind date, to a Dalhousie University dance, that they met. A coup de foudre.

Not in the Sahara desert, where Dad’s plane crashed, and Mom, an Arabian Bedouin princess, found him, nursed him back to life and fell in love with him. That was what he told his children.

Sarah and Stan - a storybook love affair. And their love was readily shared with others. So many friends, some old, some new - some met when they were out walking in Point Pleasant Park - became part of our family. As did a slew of new arrivals to Canada, often dissidents. Our table was always full of fascinating guests, from all walks of life. Mom was a famous cook and beauty. Dad was handsome and full of charm.

Both were the epitome of kindness - teaching their children that life was about service to others.

When Dad was at Dal, he helped organize a protest march against a university dance that had banned African-Canadians. And our family was a joyous mix of white and brown.

Stan was also a noted athlete, excelling in his youth in hockey and rugby. In his sixties, he was winning racketball games against young men in their 20s. Partly by skill, a lot by psychological trickery. Dad would say, “Hey, I am so good, I am going to play with my right hand, even though I’m left-handed.” Another “story” - Dad was right-handed.

Stan will be buried with a beloved Maple Leafs jersey laid on his casket. So they can let him down one last time.

Papa retired at 75 after a successful real estate career - due to his celebrated moral character and honesty. Ten years ago, his beloved Sarah died, not that this ended his conversation with her.

To his final days, he missed “Sadie”, yet that was coupled with a will to stay on this good earth with his children: Michael (Jill Tansley), Andrew (Kerry) and Mary (Sandy Graham). And grandchildren: Graham, Elizabeth, Petra, Matthew and Laila.

Special thanks to his caretakers in his final days: Jocelyn, Bernadine, Delia and Dr. Iva Propperova…..and to his trusted sidekick and faithful poodle: Baka.

On July 18th, Stan died full of grace and gently, at home surrounded by his family’s…love.

Predeceased by his great love Sarah; Sisters Grace, Lee and Joyce and Brothers Bill and Roy.

Burial attended by the family is on Wednesday, August 3rd, at 3 p.m at the Fairview Lawn Cemetry, followed by a 6 pm reception for everyone at his Young Avenue home of 53 years. If you would like, donations in his name can be made to: phoenixyouth.ca.

A recent CBC radio IDEAS documentary, The Value of Old Age, ended with an interview with Papa. The final question: What is the most important thing in life to you? To which Stanley Everett Lynk answered: “To be loved and to give love.”