It has been over five years since my health unexpectedly started to fail and wow, it has been a rollercoaster ride! Now, I always loved rollercoasters, but not this one. Throughout this time my loving wife, Connie, has done whatever she could to make the journey easier. Like all couples, we have had our ups and downs, (it has been a rollercoaster, after all), but she planned as many fun events, trips and outings as I was able to enjoy, and has been my full-time caregiver keeping me safe, and ensuring we explored every available avenue to help with the physical and mental toll this took on both of us.

 

The steady decline of my health in the past two years lead me down the path to MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying), and I was able to determine for myself when enough was enough, and choose to die with dignity on my own terms.

 

I leave behind the woman who made me a DisneyWorld fanatic, went along with my love of NASCAR by attending many races with me across the USA, sharing all kinds of adventures I never thought I would have, taught me to love dogs again, and basically saved my life many years ago when I first thought life was not worth living.

 

I worked as a computer programmer/analyst for more than 45 years, absolutely loved what I did, and was very proud of my career.

 

Family includes my daughters, Cathy MacCormack (Paul), Carin Uhlman (Jamie) and Chrissy Arsenault (Rick), and my stepdaughter Carla McKie (Dale). Dearly loved grandchildren Cassandra Clark (Justyn Power), Andrew MacCormack, Austin Gallant, Mark MacCormack, Sara Arsenault and Katie Arsenault and great-granddaughters Oaklyn and Rae. As well, siblings Carolyn Caron (Robert), Sandra Clark-Hayes (Brent) and Kevin Clark (Julia Moroney), several nieces and nephews, and uncle Keith Anderson (Maureen MacLean).

 

Predeceased by my mother and father, Audrey and Jim, who I adored.

 

Thanks to the nurses of PEI Home Care and McGill Centre who made it a little easier, and to the staff of the QEH Renal Unit, especially Rachael, Karen, and Dawn, who always made us feel very special. The MAiD team, Drs. Baglole, Campbell and Murray, and sweet Kae were amazing.

 

Thanks to great friends Debbie Reid, Karla Shalley, Kathy Gillis and Susan Palmer for hanging out with us when we needed you. David and Sharon MacLeod, you are special people.

 

Last, but not least, thanks to the many local and regional musician friends who provided me with so many years of entertainment. Private remembrances will be held at later times.

 

If you wish to make a donation in memory of me, please choose MusiCounts, https://musicounts.ca/en/ or PEI CARES, a local nonprofit advocating for the safety and well being of companion animals peicares2020@gmail.com for easy email transfer, or the Kidney Foundation of Canada (https://kidney.ca/Support).

 

I cherished the friendship of so many people who enriched my journey through life. Bye y’all.