Sadly, I am returning home to attend the funeral of a beloved uncle, my mother's brother, who passed away today from a horrible form of cancer (is there any kind that isn't horrible?) called Mesothelioma. This cancer is a rare form caused by exposure to asbestos and often the symptoms show up 30 to 40 years later.
My uncle and his brother followed my maternal grandfather into the scrap business back in the 40's when they were young men and built a thriving business recycling metals in "Steel Town", Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It was a lucrative industry (and still is) but I guess you could say my family was "green" before "green" was fashionable.
With all the old scrap and junk and piles of grease and muck that surrounded them, apparently asbestos was the last thing they were thinking of or concerned about or even aware of.
Funny thing is, my uncle smoked cigars as long as I knew him and I never could have imagined that in his early 80's it would be a rare form of cancer from asbestos exposure that would fell this man who, to me, was always the embodiment of exuberance and confidence.
My uncle leaves behind 2 siblings, a wife, 4 children, about 14 grandchildren and now even great-grandchildren to come. He will join my grandparents and 7 of his siblings in heaven now.
I miss him already!
Thank you for letting me share.
1 comment:
Take care Tracey- sending hugs your direction.
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