Random Memories 1
You know, it's often the strangest things that will bring up a memory of dad. Often a smell, or a clip of music will bring up thoughts of good times had. This sorta falls into that category.

At mom's a few weeks back, I was in a rush to grab something from the basement. So I jumped the first 3 steps onto the landing, with an exaggerated landing. And immediately I flashed back to every time I got in trouble for jumping those same 3 steps onto the landing. It was a nice thought, even though I was getting shit for it anyhow.

Laugh
When I think about my dad, the first thing that pops into my mind is his great big laugh. He loved to laugh, and when something was funny, you knew it. It was one of those powerful belly laughs that just overcame conversations. I remember being at family functions and hearing him from another room, or in the basement hearing him watch something on TV.

Whenever I'm with my brother, it's great to hear him laugh, cause he seems to have inherited dad's. Of all the people I met at school, only him and one other guy have a laugh that's so recognizable, so powerful, and so awesome.

Shrek
One of my favourite memories involves going to see Shrek in the theatres with dad and Graeme. We didn't really know what to expect, but I really don't believe that I have ever laughed that hard. Ever. There were tears, and my gut hurt from laughing so much.

And in the middle of this packed theatre, filled to the brim with people, you could clearly hear my dad's giant laugh over it all. It was great.

The other great memory from this movie involves my cousins Julia, Tyler & Curtis. Every time we would babysit them, they would insist on watching Shrek, and my dad would be more than happy to oblige. His laughter filled the house.

BBQ
The picture on the right is one of my favourite photos of dad, and one of the most used. It encapsulates so many of the good things about him - most particularly his laugh and of him barbecuing.

My dad was a hell of a bbq-er. It was easily one of my favourite parts of summer, when we brought out the barbecue and dad would cook something up most nights. My mouth still waters with the taste of his homemade burgers, with tomato, pickles and too much ketchup.

But his best recipe, one that was actually ex-Oiler Dave Semenko's, was his ribs. There's really no way of describing how good they were. You just had to taste them.

Every Father's Day, ribs were eaten, a tradition that I hope will continue and share when I have kids. For me, cooking them is a way to reconnect with something he loved to do.

Our Family
This photo was taken in the summer of 2003, on a family road trip down to Denver to visit my uncle. It was during a hike. I'll discuss the trip itself another time.

From left to right, there's myself (Gary), my brother Graeme, my mother Josy and my dad.

We've been living at a fairly nice house on the south side of Edmonton since I was about one.

First thoughts
Ron Wicentowich passed away at the age of 54 on February 11, 2004. In that time, not a day has gone by when I don't think about him.

I have a fairly bad memory. I remember the big important things, but a lot of small details, such as what I did on a certain day last week often escape me.

This site is devoted to saving the memories I have of my father, so that perhaps they may one day be shared with my own children, or at least give me a good smile.

What you'll find on this site are stories and perhaps pictures of my dad. Enjoy.