Jerome Romeo Fabbro

Dad was born November 5, 1932. He was by far the youngest of 6 siblings, Joe, Irma, Clara, Gino and Walter. Joe was 23 years older than dad. He never got to know his father because Pietro Fabbro died when dad was 2 years old. His mother, Amelia, raised him until he was about 15 before she too, passed away. At that point, Dad moved in with his sister Clara, her husband Bob, and their two children, Lil and Peter.

I always told Dad that I would have loved to meet his mother. She must have been a strong and determined woman. Dad had every excuse in the book to turn out to be a “bad actor”, but he didn’t. I can only imagine the influence she must have had to instill in him the importance of family, respect for others and kindness.

Years after he shut Promar Marine down his former customers would testify to his dedication, kindness and caring attention to detail as a professional.

Dad, who went by “Jerry” had the proper name, “Romeo”, met his “Juliette” while working at Western Leckie at 55 Hamilton street, Vancouver. He married Yolande Juliette Lebeuf. About 9 months and one week later I was born. Twenty-seven months later Michele came along. Dad’s goal of having a nuclear family was complete and he relished the situation. The only thing that could make it better was when the grandchildren came along.

Dad and I had a loving and mutually respectful relationship. Our worlds were different, but we never let that interfere with the respect and love we felt for each other. I went the way of “book learning”, while Dad was a master of the Doing-Building-Fixing World. I would do my best to fit in, but would invariably blow dust in his eyes, bring the wrong tool, strip the bolt or after the third cut, the board was still too short. We had many laughs over it.

Michele’s relationship was the typical Father/daughter mutual adoration society. Neither could do wrong in the other’s eyes. Their love is infinite in both its strength and endurance. I feel sorry for any man to have to rise to the bar Michele set from her father’s example. Bill is doing a pretty good job, though!

Dad provided a more modern day example of what a relationship between a man and a woman should be when it came to his relationship with Yolande. To our young eyes, Michele and I saw equal partners in their relationship. To be fair, Mom likely wouldn’t have had it any other way! It is easy to see in the pictures of the two of them together the love they shared.

The last few years were tough. Dementia is a cruel and heartless disease. I do not want to describe details, but suffice it to say that despite the anticipation, even sometimes hoping, and the ache of his loss, we are comforted by knowing his time with the disease is over.

On behalf of Jerry, Yolande, Michele, Bill, Rick, Melissa, Kelsey, Carlyn, Kaitlyn, and Sam thank you for all your kindness and fond memories. Dad, like Mom, wished that no formal service occurs to mark his passing. We know that he would want everyone to give someone you love a hug, and to remember him as the gentle, caring and sympathetic man he was.