EULOGY

These are the remarks I spoke at my brothers funeral service in June 2003; I had flown home to be with him while he was dying and stayed until after the funeral as I was still residing in the USA:


When Minnie asked me to read this at Rodney's service today, I immediately said I would try. I'm glad that he liked a previous piece I had written about him on his birthday and I'm honored to share it with all of you gathered here.

Every time I think of our oldest brother, Rodney, I have to smile. To me, he is every little sisters dream come true.

He is the perfect big brother; not only is he a protector and a gentleman, he is also a hunter, a fisherman, a bowler, a singer, a harmonica player, a guitarist, a comedian, a gardener, a card player, a camper, a dog lover, a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a cousin and a wonderful friend to both sexes.

Our parents worshipped him and he them; a better son could not be found than he was to them and to our wonderful grandparents. How proud Mum was when he competed at Beaver Dam. How thrilled Daddy was to have him back home again from Germany where he served in the United States Army. And how excited we all were to welcome his wife, Minnie, into the Mundell family.

Rodney taught us all so much; he has a great sense of humour that few men have; a quick wit that brings smiles to all around him. His humour is self-deprecating at times and he is a very good story and joke teller. His eyes twinkle with teasing laughter.

He has had more friends through-out the years than one can count. He strives to treat them equally with comraderie, kindness and with an outstretched hand to any one of them in trouble or need. He is just comforting to be around.

Rod sings about the good old days and of the sea, the fishermans plight and of his love for his country. But his 'signature song' about Gene Autry and the big screen on a Saturday afternoon, always brings a huge round of applause and a tear to the eye.

Never one to complain, Rod has always been self-supporting, energetic, athletic and knowledgeable of everything from kiacking to politics, current events to pollution control, sports to outer space, traveling to patiently teaching his grandsons how to build a snowman.

He's every little sisters idea of who she wants to marry when she grows up; who she idolizes above all others. He's this sisters 'HERO' and a man for all seasons. Thank God for brothers like him!


After receiving the above, Rodney wrote back to thank me. He said that while he was flattered, I was wrong. He wrote "I'm just ordinary, dear; just ordinary."

I'd like to add a brief personal memory I have of him from when I was 5 or 6 years old. He had just returned from CA where he worked after leaving the Army where he was a Corporal.

It was a warm Saturday afternoon and I was sitting outside on our back doorsteps with our dog, Sandy; long faced because my sister and brother had gone down to the Goudy theatre for the Saturday matinee, without me.

Rodney asked what was wrong and after I'd told him, he invited me to go in to Shelburne with him to the FAIR!

We rode in his blue packard and after riding the ferris wheel and the swings, we ate hotdogs and cotton candy. He bought me a little bracelet where they etched my name on top. He won me a kewpie doll on a stick! We laughed, held hands and had fun. I was so proud!

On the way home, he had all of the windows down and his radio on and I didn't dare tell him that I felt car-sick. When I finally threw up out the window of the fast moving car, the wind blew it all back inside, all over the rear seats.

He didn't get angry; he just stopped and cleaned me up as best he could. At home, he cleaned his car. I couldn't believe that he never told anyone what I'd done. He'd just wink at me when I bragged about our day at the Shelburne County Fair.

That was Rodney Mundell-----always thinking of someone's feelings; always wanting to put in a good word for others; always assuming the best in people; always accepting without judging; ALWAYS a gentleman.

Quite a guy, our big brother!
Ordinary?
I don't THINK so!!



In closing, I'd like to paraphrase from the song I mentioned earlier------about our Rodney-----

The man who wore many hats
Is a HERO to me
He was through the years now
And I know that he ALWAYS will be;
Time takes away many things
But it can't take our dreams
Love from Lorraine, Bob, Phyllis, Ardeth
Junior, myself and Jean.