Friday, November 1, 2019
Life is an adventure! That was Peter. As kids being my older brother there were no shortage of things we did together and a lot of wonderful times had. Whether learning to skate out in our back field with chairs for support (we didn't need them after a couple of weeks) or around the Christmas trees in front of our house in LaSalle shooting pucks to improve our skills. In winter we used to go and play "shinny" at Turkey Creek with the neighbors and on occasion skate along the creek all the way through to the Detroit river a mile way to the bridge at Highway 18. There were no shortage of kids playing hockey,building snowmen,having snowball fights and just having fun. We'd walk home afterwards laughing about the day we had. During the summer we lived at LaSalle swimming pool (when we did not have to work in the massive garden behind our house). and ride our bikes there whenever we had the chance. Pete taught me how to swim, Cannonball,Jackknife,Swan dive, Pin drop etc. We also used to sneak out on occasion. (Pete was 14 and I was 12) and slept in bunkbeds - me on the bottom - Pete on top. Paul "you awake?" (it was 3:00 a.m.in the morning) Yes. Are you ready to go fishing ? (we already had our fishing rods tied to our bikes) Okay, go quietly and we will wake up Mark Souillere across the street to come with us. Pete would tap on his window and Mark would ask "Whose there?" It's me Pete and my brother Paul and we are going to Sunnyside fishing. Do you want to come? I have no money Mark replied. Pete told Mark not to worry (we had a paper route and a bit of money) and off we'd go. When we got to the dock Pete would ring the bell to wake up the owner at Sunnyside and order a dozen minnows,3 cups of coffee and a pack of Export A cigarettes. (the owner would always give us about 50 minnows so he could go back to bed till 7:00 when more people came) Lines cast,sitting on the wharf,smoking a cigarette and having a cup of coffee,watching the freighters silently flow past for three kids was glorius!!! In the morning we gave whatever we caught to the people arriving (Perch,Bass,Sheephead) and headed home and back to bed before our parents woke up. Pete always had my back and we shared many great times together as kids. Remember your family (and close friends) are your treasure box and always relish those times you spend together. Favourite brother Paul
