My dad suffered from seasickness. Which for most people, is a completely avoidable affliction. Yet he sailed, alone, across the Atlantic in a small yacht. Twice. The concept that he could potentially overcome anything was not totally unjustified.
The overwhelming feeling that I am not ready to say goodbye keeps flooding in. Keeping afloat with family, friends, memories and love is the only thing swatting away a drowning urge and holds all the ugly truths at bay.
We will never hear his voice again and I quake inside knowing how much he taught me and how much more I wanted to learn.
When are we ever ready for sadness and loss? He fought like a champion until he couldn’t fight anymore and this would all be so immeasurably easier if he were an unpleasant human and a bad parent. But the slicing truth is that he is an amazing husband, friend, brother, uncle and father. None of us could have asked for more.
He felt trapped in his crushed body and fought to stay, mostly for us, as long as he did. His vitals started to drop again in the afternoon and he once again lost consciousness. This time his blood pressure and heart rate steadily plummeted. My sweet, brave sister put on some headphones with nature sounds for him to drown out all of the medical beeping and gadgetry. He slipped away peacefully within an hour. A valiant, strong, amiable warrior of a soul.
Tears continue to prove their pointlessness by leaking down my cheeks and into my ears when I lie down. I feel like I am swimming in the ocean. Dad loves the ocean.
Your dad was definitely like no other. Keep the stories of his amazing journey coming, I do enjoy reading them and learning more about the man that is loved so much. Memories and love will forever keep him near x
Tracy. All of us are there with you. Marvin, Collin, Paul, Richard, Gregory, Damien, David, Natalie, Ray, Arthur, and too many other people to name or count. We love Jim, and we love you, Trudy, Kareen, and the whole family. We’re praying, and hoping, still, for you! Comfort, grace, and peace. Strength you’ve already shown, but we’ll pray for it anyway. Courage, we’re not concerned about because you’re Jim’s daughter. Almost most importantly, and I presume to speak for the above named and unnamed, you have our love. Most importantly, you have been loved by Jim, in a way no one else will ever know, and no one else will ever do. And that is a blessing. Walk up in it.
I love you, Tracy. Thank you for always keeping us up to date through this blog, for those of us who aren’t in Trinidad it meant so much more than you know. Plus, as you know, I think you’re the best writer of all time. Jim was such an incredible person, and I’m so grateful to him for all that he gave to the world while he was here. I love you all <3
So sorry to hear of your terrible loss, from Tracy’s blog, Jim fought all the way and was encouraged every step by you and his wonderful family and friends. There are no words that will comfort you at this time. We are both thinking of you, Kareen, Trudy and Tracy. All our love Jean and Philip xx
Crushing news. We love you Tracy
It is with sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the most colorful characters of the Clydesdale Club. His personality brought a lot of joy to those around him, from his colorful comments and his showing of the latest app that he downloaded. He will be sadly missed by all.
On behalf of the members of the Clydesdale Club, we offer our sincerest condolences to your family in these sad times.
Stephen Mackay
Hon. Secretary
Tracy withe deep sorrow in our heats we send you and family our condolences on the loss of you father. We had only met a couple of times,and through emails and it seems like we knew him for ages. We have many things in common such as being around the stove, outdoor work, I like his collection of tools, some of which I don’t have, and one that I really don’t have is the cannon, here I would be arrested for discharging a weapon, Marthese and Joe.
On behalf of my entire family, please accept our deepest condolences.
Thank you god for having such an amazing and wonderful man on this earth. Gone too soon, He will be greatly missed.
What an indomitable spirit your father was. He refused to accept that something was impossible. My thoughts and prayers are with you your mom and your family. I want thank your father and your mom for the love and friendship shared with my parents We have lost a great spirit
The tears keep flowing for me. Jim was an incredible man and even though I haven’t been home in many years I have seen all his antics and all the wonderful human sized toys he has built thru Trudy’s posts. I remember good times when you and Trudy were little. I remember his loud boom, always working on something new, looking for ways to make machinery work better or more efficient. I remember going to the Fry’s Chocolate factory where he did his apprenticeship, getting to taste all the varieties of chocolate. Had my first escargots on that trip. I have had a life long love affair with them ever since. So many wonderful memories.
Thank you Tracy, for finding the strength for each of these post….
My prayers are with you ALL.
Jim’s Spirit and Soul will continue to live within you ALL, as he
watches over all of you….
We will remember Jim always, and our visit with him and Kayreen last summer at the Beadon’s Churchend Farm continues to bring blessings of humorous and fun memories to mind. He is easily one of the most memorable people to pass through our lives. May Eternal happiness replace the temporal happiness he shared so freely.
Our condolences to you all. Cannot express our sadness. When I saw Dad on Saturday I was so amazed, he looked like the Jim I always knew. Smiling and dying to shout at me! That was a joke we both had, we shouted at each other when we met! May he Rest in Peace, out of all his pain and suffering. Very sad for everyone of you and us left behind. May God give you all the strength and courage that you need at this time. xoxo
You have an amazing way with words and your updates have been a source of comfort for many. Sending you love and as much strength as can be shared through the atmosphere and across the oceans. Xo
I am so saddened of the news. Remember the Matura days with Liz and I changing you and Trudy’s pampers. Loved those days. Love to you all , Auntie Kareen and family. P.S. Yatch Club will not be the same either without him.
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your beloved Jim, his great humour will be missed by everyone,he was a special person and I know he will be surely missed…our thoughts and prayers are with you Kareen and your family…May he Rest In peace! xox
Kareen, The Brazao family sends their deepest condolences on your loss.
May God Bless you all !!!
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. You truly have a way of words. Please accept my family’s heartfelt condolences!
I feel honoured to have known Jim, he was one of the good guys. When I had my troubles Jim and Kareen were there for me, he always used to wind me up something awful and I always used to fall for it. I am going to try to remember the last time I saw him when we spent the day together in the summer on the sea front with friends, we then went back to mine and we sat in the garden to continue the fun….memories continue..
My love goes out to you all. much love Anita xx