Life, Legacy & Stories Beyond The Grave

St. Peter’s Parish Church (1878), Woolton, Liverpool is where John Lennon first met Paul McCartney on July 6, 1957, when Lennon’s band, The Quarrymen, played a church event. The two teenagers were often seen sitting on the stone fence or drinking and smoking behind the very high monuments so a passersby wouldn’t see them. Nearby is […]

At least you won’t have to tell your neighbour to turn down the music! Shout out to a very creative real estate agent.

Politics aside, we saw for a few moments that our priorities were in the right place, and the loss of human life is far greater than any political divide.

John Lennon was shot on December 8, 1980, outside his apartment building, near the driveway of the Dakota, in New York City. He was taken to nearby Roosevelt Hospital and later died that night—a day many will never forget. Roosevelt Hospital, New York City.  His remains were taken to the side entrance of the Frank E. […]

Sixty-seven years ago, on February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “The Big Bopper” (J.P. Richardson) were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, along with pilot Roger Peterson. After stopping at Clear Lake to perform, and frustrated by the conditions on the tour buses, Holly chose […]

Polly Langston was a Cuban immigrant to the United States, who came to New Orleans soon after the Civil War. When she arrived, she spoke only Spanish, but she quickly learned English, and by the time of her death at 53 years old, her “gift of gab” was noted in newspapers across the country. Polly […]

Several years ago, I visited the grave of flying ace Billy Bishop in Owen Sound, Ontario, and more recently, I paid my respects to his fellow aces: Eddie Rickenbacker in Columbus, Ohio, and Colonel William Barker at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. The three flying aces amassed 148 confirmed aerial victories and together became the […]

As the world often feels marked by disorder and confusion, I feel it’s important to shine a light on the goodness in people and the kindness they show one another. At Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, students have been doing something truly special for more than 22 years. Through a unique service ministry, […]

I recently read about the passing of Vancouver born Joe Borovich, a hometown designer whose work quietly became one of the most recognizable symbols in Canadian sport. Borovich was the creator of the Vancouver Canucks’ iconic “stick-in-rink” logo. On October 9, 1970, the Vancouver Canucks skated onto the ice for their inaugural National Hockey League game. […]

I couldn’t help but admire the great Hank Aaron when I recently saw a photo of his grave in historic South-View Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia and the message of humility and judgement. Thank you, Mr. Aaron.

Herman Munster in the hit television show, The Munters (1964-66), played by Fred Gwynne, worked at Gateman, Goodbury and Graves Funeral Home in the Mockingbird Heights neighbourhood. Munster was strong and tall and generally well-liked by his co-workers, who appreciated his good nature despite his imposing appearance. His employer was Mr. Gateman, a shrewd businessman portrayed […]

In the days ahead, don’t miss my famous grave tour of Ohio. It was the most fascinating experience visiting cemeteries in small rural towns to the state capital, Columbus.