Monday, July 15, 2019
Despite his often gruff demeanour Carman was one of the most generous people I have had the privilege of encountering. When we started the local kids' softball league he made our first scoreboard with a sheet of plywood and cup hooks. He rejigged a fertilizer spreader as a line marker. He built Janet two laundry stoops and brought over many plywood figures that we used at the church. He made a to-scale replica of Trinity United Church. He constructed a three foot high nativity scene that is used at Newport United Church in Brooklyn. He loaned any tool he had - and was on the phone the next day to ensure it was returned to his carefully-organized workshop.
I will miss our conversations about pickling, fence building,fast ball, trolley cars, ;lawn mowers the state of the military and what ever happened to Hilary Clinton. The last time I chatted with Carman a couple of weeks ago he ended the talk abruptly as the sun was going down, saying "You must have something better to do than talk to an old man." I replied, "I guess I'll have to find something." So will we all. But we are all better people for the time we spent with that old man.
Blessings,
Kevin
