In Honour of My Father. This moment is to share the passing of Alexander Roy Osmond (Al), born February 19, 1933 in Nova Scotia.

My father had a kind heart and a gentle soul, his emotion was easy to see. He would help anyone in need. He was a social man and would share a cold beer or drink of rum. He always liked a good party. My dad had that prankster/gangster way about him.

My father lived life to the fullest, he lived life his way. Life was one big adventure, he was always excited about what was around the corner. My dad was respectful and looked for the good in people. He believed that anything was possible, and opportunity was for everyone. He loved his family, his wife Cindy (deceased 2011), and his sons, Doug, Ken, and Rusty. He gave his family freedom and a lifestyle I wish every family could have. He gave us boys a lot, and gas for the boat, hook, line and sinker, and Mom a minnow that would only float.

Lake Onaping was his world for 62 years, he loved that lake “a true Onaping Laker”. When he was a young man of 23, he'd travel from Toronto on weekends to Onaping Lake. He needed a boat, so he built a plywood boat in his third-floor apartment (his neighbours were not happy). My father would be on that lake in all weather conditions, snow and ice, rain or shine; with beer in hand, he would sing, “This land is my land” (my mother would call him names).

My dad was good at getting things to run, he was always working on something. He was a busy man, he was always on the go... always a project, always a show.

A stroke 18 years ago disabled my dad, he only had the use of one arm and one leg. He still wanted to be able to cut firewood, so he built a table and mounted his chainsaw. Using some levers, springs, and cables he fashioned a foot pedal to make the saw throttle up as it pivoted down to buck up the wood – it worked very well. Mom would load up the table with logs and Dad bucked them up. Mom called it “Al's Easy-Saw”.

Moose hunting at Kennedy Lake with his hunt club was his favourite time of the year. I counted 29 notches on his rifle, that's a lot of moose.

He was a good man, a good father, a good friend. My dad would like to tell all of you who shared time with him, that he enjoyed your company. Dad told me that he's on his way, Mom is waiting where he found her in Montego Bay. I love you Dad. Your son, Rusty

At Al’s request, there will be no visitation or service. Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.