It must have been the loudest belly laugh that I heard in the last year.

The patio was filled and it was nice to see people milling around and smiling again following a Stage 2 opening of businesses on June 30.

Patio lovers were munching on pub fare again and chatting with their friends in the warm sunshine of a fine South Etobicoke day.

At one table old friends were discussing the virus, or the Maple Leafs failed run for the Stanley Cup, when someone made a remark and the table burst in laughter; a loud deep belly laugh that erupts between old friends who have not seen each other for some time.

A deep hug, with no mask for a change, the friends hugged as if it was the last time.

The orders for wings and draft beer our local pubs and clubs were flowing on this sunny day; as residents compared notes on those who survived COVID-19 and the many others who didn’t make it.

It seems like every few days we would hear of another friend or neighbour who died in solitude or did not have the support required. Many had a small, if any funeral service, due to virus restrictions.

Our community is tight and news slowly made the rounds of those who, God bless their souls, were taken away from us by the dreaded pandemic. Business or civic leaders, warehouse worker or courier; the virus went after all with vengeance, no holds barred.

Most of us today are thankful that we made it through the global pandemic and can survive to live another day with our friends and loved ones. Thankful we are to be here and appreciate life.

Still, it bothers many of us not knowing the full extent of our friends and cherished community members who we have lost and will never see again. We will remember them.

Members of St. Margaret church in New Toronto, and other groups, are going around the community collecting the names and information of those whose lives were taken by the virus.

It is a large undertaking, since many of those who passed were living in long term care homes.

Rev. Jaqueline Daley said a memorial service will be held at her Sixth Street church to pay tribute to the dozens from the area who were taken away by COVID-19.

“There are still many others who we don’t know about,” she says. “We will give them the blessing that they all deserve.”

A tribute will be paid to those who passed. Their names will be listed in a special service to honour each and every one of them.

They all will be honoured as they rightfully should in a showing of love and respect by neighbours, loved ones and community residents in this time of deep loss.

 

Tom Godfrey is Publisher of The South Etobicoke News, who lives in the community. He was a Reporter at the Toronto Sun for many years before deciding to use his skills for community journalism.