Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am at the driftwood with my Dad, in the crisp crust of snow on fallen leaves, while tracking a moose. I am the taste of fresh warm blueberries like the ones I picked for my Mom. They were sent by train into Cochrane the summer I spent working in a fire lookout tower. I am the crush you feel while wandering amongst the masses of humanity and being assaulted by the pungent smells of the open markets in Hong Kong and India. I am the smile on your lips when someone is called, "Stinky", "Billy-Backwash", "Susie Magillicutty", "Furry Faced Hood","Big Jule", "Shelby Melissa", "Ralph", "Buella", "Bertha" "SueEllen", "Good Ol' What's Her Face", "Chicken Little" OR someone starts talking about "units"! I am the thunderous roar of a "herc" as I fly overhead while doing circuits and bumps... I am that small Fleet 80 Canuck lovingly painted cream and orange that does a fly by of your house or lands on the ice to bring someone in for a visit. I am the look of love and delight on your face when family and friends walk in the room I am the warm sun on your face, a clear blue sky, the smell of orange, lemon and grapefruit blossoms, the thrum as hummingbirds chase past your head, the seemingly barren desert that teams with life when given some rain, the history of the Wild West... all mixed in with vibrant colour, kitschy trinkets, mariachi bands, and friendly faces. I am the crush of your heart and exuberance in your chest when you know you have married an east coast girl who is the most kind, caring, gentle and fun loving person who is just perfect for you. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die. Albert Edward Bamford December 4th, 1932 - November 30th, 2020 Albert lived a great life, but a lifetime of memories started to slip away 9 years ago due to Alzheimer's. He was a strong man, who fought long and hard with his diagnosis. May he finally rest in peace. Albert was born in Cochrane, Ontario to Winnifred and Joseph. He was predeceased by an older brother Peter (Claire), and a younger brother Patrick (Shelley). He has an older sister Hilda. He was a loving husband to Joyce and respected father to Mark, Tracy (Sharon) and Paul (Kateri). He was a loving Papa to Jessica (Ben), James (Stephanie), Julie (Dean), Shelby, Grace, Patrick, Joseph and Winnifred. Great-Grandfather to Makenna, Hallie and Terra. Albert had a distinguished career as a Flight Engineer in the Canadian Forces for 33 years and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Upon retiring, Worldways Canada called. He also got his pilot’s license and loved flying his own Fleet 80 Canuck. In the summers he ran the Air Cadet’s Glider Program at Mountain View for many years. His winters were spent with Joyce and their great friends and family in the bright sunshine of Yuma Arizona for over 20 years. +++++++++++++++++++ Albert Edward Bamford December 4th, 1932 - November 30th, 2020 Albert was born in Cochrane, Ontario to Winnifred and Joseph. He was predeceased by an older brother Peter (Claire), an older sister Hilda (who he never got a chance to know) and a younger brother Patrick (Shelley). He also has an older sister Hilda living in Timmins, Ontario. He was a loving husband to Joyce and respected father to Mark (Karen), Tracy (Sharon) and Paul (Kateri). He was a loving Papa to Jessica (Ben), James (Stephanie), Julie (Dean), Shelby, Grace, Patrick, Joseph and Winnifred. Great- Grandfather to Makenna, Hallie and Terra. Albert had a distinguished career as a Flight Engineer in the Canadian Forces for over 30 years and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Upon retiring, Worldways Canada called. He also got his pilot’s license and loved flying his own Fleet 80 Canuck. In the summers he ran the Air Cadet’s Glider Program at Mountain View for many years. For over 20 years, his winters were spent with Joyce and their great friends and family in the bright sunshine of Yuma Arizona. May he finally rest in peace. With Covid restrictions finally starting to lift, Albert’s Funeral Mass will be held August 7th, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Peter-in-Chains Catholic Church, 140 Dundas St. W Trenton, ON. This service will be followed by an informal Celebration of Life at Heroes Landing (formerly Knights of Columbus Hall), at 57 Stella Crescent Trenton, ON. Guests will have the opportunity, if they would like, to take a few moments and share a story or tale about Al. Dad had a million of them! The “hanger doors will be open and you’ll have a drink in your hand to toast the old guy one last time”. Lunch will also be served. As Albert loved the north, he will be interned in Cochrane at a later date. Albert also has a headstone in The Mount Evergreen Cemetery (61 Stockdale Rd, Trenton) where friends and family can visit a little closer to home. Of course Covid-19 public health measures will be in effect. Participants at both venues must wear a mask when indoors (except when eating) and remain 6 feet apart (within their own bubbles). We’ve made sure we have enough space to appropriately spread out. We also need to maintain a list (with contact information) of all participants so we kindly ask you to let us know of your intention to join us by emailing us at tracyb.longlake@gmail.com or by calling at (613) 985-3960.