I write today to honour three men who, in my opinion, were pillars of this community. All three passed away in the past few days. All three never sought the lime light but rather were just one of the guys.

I start by referring to Father Nick Ford, who died at 83 on the weekend. He never aspired to be great but rather to preach to the common ordinary folk.

I recall attending a service in which Father Ford had taken to using a roaming mike ( athough with his booming voice, he  didn't need one). He didn't want to appear  to be preaching from a pulpit. He started off the funeral service by saying "leave you religious beliefs in the parking lot, we are here to honor this fine gentleman" That was Father Nick Ford .

He never pushed his religious beliefs, the only time when he came close, was during a conversation that he had with my wife at the time of her mother's death. He said, " sometimes you try and fix the car and no matter how hard you try, you just can't do it yourself , that is when you go to the mechanic".

Yet another story about Father Ford. In order to get money for schooling for the poor in Africa, he had some people smuggle diamonds out  of the country  and then took the money he received in order to give the children an education, and give  their parents some food. It was daring, it was an act of kindness that you would have to know Father Ford  to understand.

The second Individual that I want to acknowledge is Oscar Fehr. Again may I say , a fellow who was just one of the boys. No flash , just meat and potatoes. He was born and lived in Prince George his entire life. Oscar , was one of the founding partners of Early Bird, but you never would know it. When you came into the store, he most always greeted you by saying, " I'm the Fork lift Operator". That says it all about Oscar. He loved to fish and hunt, and I must say, before he took up golf , I always envied his ability to get the big fish, when I couldn't.

Finally, many of you may have never heard about a guy by the name of George Shaw. You may however remember the young fellow behind the counter at Siggis ( Northland Sports) over a period of 13 years. George passed away, following  a long battle with cancer, he was just 55. Again a young fellow who didn't seek any accolades but rather just one of the guys. Want to talk hunting or fishing? You talked to George at Northland. George was also born and raised in Prince George. He too loved the great outdoors and I think that is what held him so dearly to this community. Above all he was a family man and worshiped  the ground on which his wife Shelly and his children  stood.

There won't be any parades for all three of these special people , just a lot of memories by all of us at the thought of how lucky we were to have all three pass by our lives and be a part of the community that they so loved.

I'm Meisner