Editor, The News:
Re: Pedestrian killed by car on Lougheed (The News, Oct. 2).
I was saddened to learn of the passing of one of my son’s childhood friends this past week, and he hasn’t been far from my mind since.
As kids, Chad Hallworth and my son, Jon Benedictson, had two bonding passions – hockey and fishing.
Chad was a skilled hockey player with a zest for the game and an avid fisherman. I never could understand the lure of fishing (no pun intended); hours of standing around, in all kinds of weather, waiting for a bite, or not.
But my son and Chad would spend hours at the river.
Beside the joy of actually catching a fish, they seemed to find peace and solace in this pastime.
Not so long ago, and one of the last times I saw Chad, he was hiking up from the river with his fishing rod on his shoulders.
Every now and then, throughout the years, I would get a phone call from Chad. He called me when he heard of my husband’s passing, and sometimes he called just to ask how I was or to say ‘hi’.
From the little he told me, I know Chad fell into a troubled adult life. But I will always remember him as that kid who was looking for his next big goal or his next big catch. It was a time when life seemed simpler.
For those who never knew Chad, and for those who did, I hope this old newspaper clipping helps tell how I will remember him.
T. Marlow
Maple Ridge