My father was born in a small town near Sofia, Bulgaria. The second son, who grew up in an impoverished and rough time, born between two wars. We don’t have much information about his life because like many men who survived these times he did not speak of the horrors of a war torn Europe and growing up in a Communist state. Instead he chose to leave it all behind to find a new country and a new life.
His journey led him through western Europe and eventually to France where he found the love of his life in Paris. Though he never spoke of these years of his youth walking from Bulgaria to France they left an indelible strength and fortitude that served him well up until his death at 92 years old. This strength and persistence he instilled into his children and we passed this trait onto our children and they to theirs. It is his legacy of how to work hard, honour your family, and reap the rewards of a good life. These rewards were many including the adventures he experienced with our mother visiting almost every continent and major city of the world, and climbing many mountains including Mt. Kilimanjaro at 75 years old. Though a quiet man he made friends everywhere they went and always came out of the interaction knowing about the person’s life, country, religion, and politics. These friends also included the furry kind and up until a month ago he continued to visit his favourite park to feed the birds, dogs, squirrels and raccoons.
He was not formally educated but his love and passion for learning came from his books and his social interactions and he never stopped learning. Out of necessity he learned to speak, read and write at least 7 languages. He studied politics, and discussed this topic with a passion, and in his later years watched CNN at every chance he got. Anywhere you would look in our house you would find books on every topic and in multiple languages. I remember him reading novels in Spanish with a dictionary and pad of scrape paper by his side for making notes. I recently borrowed a few historical books and found extensive notes written on small bits of paper left as book marks in the pages.
He was an advocate for others, and had passion to stand up and ’speak’ his truth through letters, and to anyone who would listen. His last letters pleaded with the condo corporation to end the noise and disruption of the construction for the residents, not him, but others who were sick and dying.
Music was also a passion and I grew up with classical music played on the Pioneer stereo on a Sunday afternoon, and when my parents were out my musical repertoire included Pink Floyd and the Stones. Only in the later half of his life, and due to the influences of his grand children did he learn to enjoy the popular music. There are still fond memories of one party where he danced ‘gangam style!’
This passion and love of learning, mountain climbing, adventure seeking, dancing, fun, laughter, being social and outgoing and the love of nature and animals is what he leaves behind in his children, grandchildren, great grand children and their families.
He lived and died surrounded by those he loved. What a life and we wish him a safe passage onto the next adventure!
