dear reener,

dad, you really were awesome
you were funny,
and thoughtful,
and handsome
you were compassionate and kind
and someday I hope I will find
a relationship like you had with mum

way back when I was a kid
there was so much that you and I did
from sports teams and soccer drives
to long hikes and bike rides
and all the puzzles that you and I tried
many memories I will not soon get rid

you were always there for me
through school, and my engineering degree
through concussions and heartbreaks
and all of my mistakes
you helped me work out whom I want to be

many tools you taught me how to use,
together, we watched the Leafs lose
I’ll remember the skiing,
Switzerland sightseeing,
and singing to Queen, Elton, and Bruce

there are things we won’t get to do
it's hard to believe, yes, but it’s true
you won’t give me my ring
we won’t go camping
but I’m grateful for the time I had with you

and you won’t ever really be gone
in me, you will always carry on
when I tell a joke that’s dumb
and wear this ring on my thumb
and when I run in my next marathon

and yes, we will take care of buddy
continue to work hard and study
I won’t leave the lights on
I will mow the farm lawn
and forgive Andrew when he bugs me

i knew you were always proud
about that, you were loud
and I’ll do my very best
to make you proud of all I do next
even if you’re no longer around

I love you dad,
pickle

When Rene and I spoke last week, he could not wait for our first time on the golf course. We figured the weather would be good enough by April 14th which was exactly 12 weeks away. We then decided to subtract evenings, weekends, holidays, time spent watching the Leafs, time spent out for a beer, and a few other silly things.... Before you knew it somehow, we were golfing in a week. He told me to get my clubs cleaned and ready.

Rene will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. He has had such a positive impact on so many people's lives. I would not be in the position I am in personally or professionally without his support guidance and friendship.

Josh

(Photo is from golf trip in Mount Pleasant Michigan in May 2017)

In the last few years I have been lucky to have a few golf games with Rene and to enjoy a yearly ski trip to Sun Peaks (BC). The usual crowd includes Jan Sucharda, Steve Fleck, Pete Nixon, Tim Smith and myself. I have always said that anytime this group gets together I don’t need any other entertainment. Rene’s comical approach and humor was something I looked forward to anytime. Rene was also a very calm person who was always at peace with his surroundings. He was sometimes quiet and was observing and learning about others from the conversation to which he was listening. Typically he had some wisdom that he would share with you quietly at another time after that conversation that was very helpful. He was so kind hearted.
I met Rene at Queens University in the Civil Engineering program. While at Queens there is probably one spectacular expedition that sticks out. One night as the bars we closing , we decided it would be a great night to head to NYC and Studio 54 a bar and dance club that was famous with celebrities at the time. We would never have been allowed into the place but that wasn’t even considered at the time. Pete Nixon was working that night at the pub we left from and dispite his questioning of the wisdom of the trip we were determined to go. Rene had a Chevy Monte Carlo which he aptly called “Monty” and he volunteered to head the expedition with 5 of us onboard (Rene, Tim Smith, Jan Sucharda, Steve Fleck and myself). Rene felt he was in good enough condition to drive so off we went. The rest of us made up for Rene and certainly couldn’t drive. We had a stumbling block which was crossing the US border and sure enough we were called into the Customs and Immigration offices for a sanity check when the officer asked us what we were doing. We all chimed in “we’re going to Studio 54”.
After half an hour of trying to find a good reason to turn us back to Canada the US officers admitted us to the US and we were off to NYC. We never made it and turned around later that morning only to make it back to Kingston just before lunch. Once the alcohol wore off and the cramped stuffy conditions of Monty was wearing on us we collectively had the wisdom to abort.
It’s funny how as time has passed the five of us have continued to relive the stories associated with that event. We still enjoyed our time together perhaps more than ever. Now with Rene gone the rest of us will appreciate our time together even more. We will celebrate our memories of a dear friend that we loved very much.
Attached are two pictures of Rene and Tim Smith at Sunburst Lodge Sun Peaks BC during a ski trip a few years ago. I love the expressions Rene has as him and Tim share some stories and his expressions are part of what I will remember forever.
My condolences to Liz, Andre and Joanna.
Love Steve

I met René more than 40 years ago when he joined the Queen’s civil engineering gang, he and I ended up as housemates. René was then as he has always been, just a really good human. What I recall from those days was Rene’s calmness and patience when it came to academics, he shone as a problem solver. He was a very generous guy. always offering to give rides in his famous car “monte” ( even NYC one night) He taught me how cook a few things and introduced me to coffee.
He didn’t know it but I really leaned on him, he was a real solid influence in my life.
I know he was looking forward to the annual ski trip to BC and so were all the old boys.
It was a privilege knowing René most of my life. I’m super sad he’s gone but I know he’ll live on in so many hearts.
Rest in peace my Friend.

My heartfelt love and sympathy go out to René’s wife and his beautiful children whom I have ‘known’ since birth and through Rene’s stories and photographs over the years.
He had such pride in his family’s achievements, sharing the joy they gave him as well as the antics of the family cats and dog. Just 12 days ago he was asking me how to germinate seeds, planting times and sent multiple pictures of Joanna’s naughty cat Barney. His last words were ‘I am so looking forward to summer.’
René and I worked side by side for 23 years and have been good friends since 1995. René was my mentor in the early days as I struggled to understand planning and construction. Ever patient, never a sigh of frustration and always there to support, help and advise. His loss to me is huge as I always looked on him as my brother and friend. His early parting from his family and colleagues cannot be measured.
I have loved you as my brother René. Rest easy in the arms of God.
Remembered by Jessica Cunnington & Jack Szymanski