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A Special Visit and a Plane Ride

ne memorable highlight from my time in bed was a visit from my friend Garry Willard. Garry was in the Queen’s
OUniversity band and came to see me dressed in full regalia, complete with his kilt. That visit coincided with a football

game Queen’s played against either Western or Toronto, and Garry’s visit was a bright spot in my recovery. Gary’s visit also
led to a unique adventure for my family. My dad’s friend, Bob Perry, owned a small private plane—a Piper Comanche—and

took my mom, my sister Mary, and Garry for a plane ride. They flew from Mount Hope Airport in Hamilton to Niagara

Falls, where, according to Garry, they even dive-bombed the falls! That kind of thing would never be allowed today, but

it left a lasting impression on him. Mary, just 11 at the time, developed a huge crush on Garry during that visit. At the
class’s 60th reunion in 1963 later, Mary met Garry for the first time in many decades. Garry laughed as she recounted her

childhood infatuation.

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