Monday, November 20, 2023
I was blessed to meet Mr Rerrie many years ago through his son Kevin, who is a dear friend of mine.
One memory I will always cherish is the time I called the house looking for Kevin many years ago. Mr Rerrie picked up the phone and we chatted for a brief moment. He tuned right into what was going on with me and could sense I was going through something. He asked a few questions that followed with me getting emotional and right away he said “Can you come over right now so we can finish this conversation in person?” I agreed to go and by the time I arrived at the house he was sitting there waiting for me on the porch. He greeted me with a big hug as fathers do when their loved one is teary eyed and said “Wait right here, I’ll be back”. He went into the house and after a few minutes he came back out with two facecloths. I was puzzled. He said “Let’s go for a drive so we can finish our talk”. During the car ride I explained everything that I was going through. He just patiently listened. He drove us to Cherry Beach, he parked the car, handed me the facecloth to wipe my tears and then turned to me and said “I’m going to talk to you right now like I would talk to my daughter”. I don’t remember the details of what he said to me that day because it was so long ago, but I do remember feeling so much better after his wise words and fatherly encouragement. From that day on, I called him “Dad”. He intuitively knew exactly what I needed in that moment and I will always be grateful that he stepped in to be the father that I needed that day.
I have many wonderful memories with Mr Rerrie and the family that span over decades but this one in particular will always remain etched in my heart forever. He welcomed me into his family and home from the first day I met him and I can honestly say that life won’t be the same without him. I will miss his laugh and our phone chats every special occasion when I would call the house. He always waited for my call and would giggle and say “I knew the day wouldn’t pass without you calling”. I never missed a day over the years.
I just want to say thank you to the whole Rerrie family for sharing your dad with me all this time. I was lucky enough to speak with him recently and tell him how much I loved and appreciated him as a father figure and a dear friend. I shared this memory with him and how much it means to me. He will be greatly missed and forever loved by so many, but most importantly....he will always be my “stand in Dad”.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
May the Angels lead him to paradise.
Until we meet again...
With so much love and respect,
Voula
