My Dad passed away on Thursday night, surrounded by family and holding hands with my Mom. He went peacefully, and was awake and aware to the end. They played a march on the CD player and his hand twitched in time as if he was beating a bass drum (he'd been a bass drummer in the Salvation Army for 37-38 years) and tapping his foot. At the end, he just slipped away peacefully. Can't hope to go out any better. He'd been sick for years and had been in a nursing home for a year and a week. My Mom has an apartment in the Independent Seniors' Residence on the same property and my sister is a nurse in the hospital nearby (attached by a tunnel) so they were able to visit him daily. He was 78. He had 8 children (6 the old-fashioned way and adopted 2 grandchildren), 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren (+1 on the way this fall) - a great legacy.
I just got back from going down for two days for the funeral. He was buried in his Salvation Army uniform with his RCAF service ribbons and holding hi bass drum mallet. The service was beautiful and we had a nice reception which was a real celebration of his life. He'll be missed by everyone who knew him. Love you Dad.
In memory MCpl George Edward Oulton CD -- May 6, 1935 to July 20 2013.