To the editor:
A spectacular Fire Fighters Ten Mile Road Race was held on Victoria Day, Monday, May 21, with the weather cooperating like it’s never done before. The number of entrants was significant both in the solo running as well as the relay participants. Everything went according to our months of planning and our committee was thrilled.
However, something very special was discovered missing and only after the event did we learn that a fixture in our race had passed away. Mr. Ken Wilson who has brought out his bag pipes and played for hours for us had passed away. This was not a serendipity event of a positive nature but a situation nonetheless that his passing occurred on the exact day of the race.
Ken has been piping for us for over 30 years and stood at the corner of Bay and Algoma until the route was changed and then he moved to Bay and Water. Competitors would say his music put a smile on their face and boosted them along to the ultimate finish line.
Weather never deterred Ken and he played in the rain and in cold that actually cramped his fingers. He never complained but in my heart of hearts, I suspect he would have loved the sun we all enjoyed last Monday.
Many runners inquired about his absence on Monday and we did not know of his passing until the next day. It will be very difficult to replace him. To our good friend Ken, we will miss you, your beautiful piping, and visiting with you at the “volunteer appreciation party” you regularly attended.
Goodbye, our good friend and please know that many of the 900 runners we anticipate in our next year’s event will show a tip of the hat as they pass the corner of Bay and Water Street.
May the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye'll ivver see.
May the moose ne'er leave yer girnal wi a tear-drap in its ee.
May ye aye keep hail an hertie till ye'r auld eneuch tae dee.
May ye aye juist be sae happie as A wuss ye aye tae be.
Barb Rickards,
Thunder Bay
