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Legs of a boy playing ice hockey on a frozen pond or in ice rink

I remember JM and I being the best of friends as kids. We played hockey together both at the arena for minor hockey and on the outdoor rinks that were scattered all around Hearst. I remember us being inseparable and we pretty much did everything together. We had the same interests and it was kinda awesome that his 2 brothers were the same age and great friends with my 2 brothers so we did a lot the 6 of us together also.&nbsp;I remember JM being the kindest person and still to this day that really is the best quality he had and what I remember most about him. He was always looking out for me and everyone. Just genuinely huge heart. I remember for example a minor hockey league game back when we were probably 8-9 years old at the arena and I had taken a slap shot on the ankle and the play continued but JM was right there kneeled down like a trainer making sure I was ok. It’s something that’s always stuck in my mind and an example of the type of person he was. We had a lot of great times running around. Biking around. Playing hockey and baseball etc. back then there were no cell phones or tablets so we just simply enjoyed hanging outside warm or cold. Played lots of HE-Man and war games.&nbsp;We spent a few years as the bestest of friends while JM lived in Hearst and I remember being extremely sad and upset when the family moved away to Timmins. After that we kind of lost touch a little bit maybe sending a few letters back and forth. I remember later on in High School running into JM in Timmins while I was on a basketball tournament and boy was I happy to see him. It had been awhile and the 2 of us had the best conversation line old times. It was great. Later in life social media became a thing and we reconnected through Facebook and that was great. I’m we were able to catch up here and there and see how each of us was making out in life work and family etc. &nbsp;JM is the most kind big heart friend I ever had. It’s unfortunate we never got to continue to grow together in in life but I’m extremely happy and fortunate to have spent a good part of my childhood with him. Couldn’t ask for a better friend in life!! It saddens me that he left us early but I will always remember him and I think of him a whole lot!! Special man he was.&nbsp; Jamie &nbsp;

JM's best childhood friend

When I was 38, Drew started talking about my 40th birthday like it was right around the corner. He was full of ideas fun, wild ones that usually had a way of materializing and this time was no different.He’d grin and say, “You’re 40 and we’re going to have a big, big, big party!” Two years early, he was already planning it out. His focus was always on two things: cake and milkshakes. He knew I couldn’t have milkshakes, but he promised he’d find one I could enjoy. Everyone else, of course, would have the best milkshakes ever, because, as he reminded me, “that’s mine and his Dad’s favourite.”<figure id="figure-9pwqetz8yqmepcj2it" class=""><img id="9pwqetz8yqmepcj2it" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/384FZ3ahbqCVU2u0v0ILvsLZoqgTh1Cw9c7cgO4eOlmhKUYoltqo7k3bzUKvIKEK.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/384FZ3ahbqCVU2u0v0ILvsLZoqgTh1Cw9c7cgO4eOlmhKUYoltqo7k3bzUKvIKEK.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> <figure id="figure-ygtkrqp59hmepcscqh"><img id="ygtkrqp59hmepcscqh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/79ODIOAgj1Ah82vfknRcwmNekI1L7CqcxAIICACLpPkM4yZkQv10S0RIvoGDtOL4.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>By the time I turned 39, Drew’s vision had sharpened: he wanted to bake a chocolate cake with vanilla icing the disguise was key, he insisted. Inside, he dreamed of hiding a balloon filled with cherries, so that when someone cut into the cake, it would explode and shower everyone in red. My only question was whether we could do it outside, to save the ceiling. Drew loved that idea.For the next year, every time we spoke about my birthday, the exploding cake returned. We hadn’t figured out the mechanics of a true explosion, but we had settled on a chocolate cake, vanilla icing, and a dramatic flood of cherry jam. He was determined: people would be surprised. People would laugh. And the party would be unforgettable.<figure id="figure-hkbe5lbqcomepcien2"><img id="hkbe5lbqcomepcien2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/9seTVLTSRvRXM97NHmoWau3S0rRjAyQUtUH6j9P4pFgOMAr1whEjvnqnd9iS1iFM.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/9seTVLTSRvRXM97NHmoWau3S0rRjAyQUtUH6j9P4pFgOMAr1whEjvnqnd9iS1iFM.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Looking back, it wasn’t about the cake at all. It was about the joy of imagining something outrageous, of plotting a surprise that would delight everyone. That was Drew... he made the ordinary extraordinary.I never did get my exploding cake for my 40th. But the idea lives on. One day, I’ll bake it, maybe on my 41st, and hope that Drew is right there, laughing with me, still insisting it should have exploded!I wish you were with us for my birthday. We all miss you, especially Raya and Rowan.xo, Kiera&nbsp;

The Exploding Birthday Cake

Game controller with purple lit keyboard amidst various wireless devices

Hi Drew Bears,I love you so, so, so much, sweetheart.Your dad loved you more than anything in this whole world. Truly, nothing meant more to him. One of the sweetest things you and your dad shared was your love for video games, especially Spider-Man.Every morning when you were here, the two of you would wake up early, around 6:30 or 7, while I was still in bed. You’d tiptoe quietly downstairs to the basement, turn on the PS5, and start playing Spider-Man 2. I'd come down a little later and hear you both giggling on the couch. When I peeked into the basement, I’d always find you two cuddled up under the blue fuzzy blanket. Fetch and Teddy were usually with you, and sometimes Doggy too.You’d sit together, sharing one controller. When it was your turn, you'd soar through the skies of New York on your spider webs. When I asked where you were in the game, you’d always say, “I’m in New York,” and you always knew exactly where. Then you’d hand the controller to your dad for the tricky parts and say, “Daddy, it’s your turn.” Together, you’d figure it out, helping each other through the hardest challenges.You were having so much fun that most mornings, you didn’t want to stop. So on Saturdays, I’d bring breakfast down to the basement, and we’d all sit together while you and your dad played. I mostly just watched. I wasn’t as good as you two, but I loved seeing how much fun you were having.Sundays were a bit different. You’d still go down to play, but your dad would always make his famous pancake breakfast after. That’s a whole other story. But what never changed was how deeply your dad loved you and how important it was to him to spend that time with you, teaching you how to play, though I think sometimes you were the one doing the teaching. You definitely taught me.I love you, sweetheart, so, so much. And your dad loved you more than anything. Watching the two of you curled up on weekend mornings, laughing and playing Spider-Man together, that’s one of my very favourite memories. After the games were done, we’d all get dressed and head outside to play. Those mornings were magic.I love you always,Kiera

Spider-Man Mornings With Your Dad

Jean-Marc always a happy and kind person who loved the colour red. His first Christmas he was 5 months old and when he saw an Ernie some Sesame Street he grabbed the red nose. At two he got a red superman cape and jumped everywhere and slept with the cape on. At three he wanted red boots and when there was a puddle he was there with his red boots jumping and laughing. His first bites wheel bike at 4 he wanted a red one and was always going so fast on it. He loved to play and have fun. He was so kind and caring &nbsp;and one day we were at a restaurant and he was about 10 years old and the people across from us had a baby in a high chair the baby was not happy Jm had spotted the baby dropped it’s soother on the floor picked it up and went to the bathroom and washed it and brought it back to the baby. He loved to help me cook even when he was very little. When the boys all got hockey Jerseys of course JM chose red so that’s when he started to watch the Montreal Canadiens. When he started Junior Kindergarten he wanted a red lunch bag. Tried to get him to try another colour but he said no that was the colour he wanted. When it was Christmas or Easter at Halloween or bdays for anyone in the family he always wanted to help decorate and make it special. When he heard Drew was born he was over the moon with joy! He was so proud to be Drew’s dad and loved the time that we together. Drew you were his pride and joy. I remember when you came a few years ago to see us in Florida you had boxes everywhere shooting at the boxes and when we went to the pool all the adults loved you you were swimming right to one end of the pool to the other end. We were all so proud of you. And when we went to the beach you and your dad were in the ocean and sting rays were there and you and your dad wanted me to come in and I was not brave enough. Love Grandma and Papa ❤️💕🥰

He Loved Red, Holidays, The Habs and His Son

You Will Always Be Our Family

Downtown Vancouver Urban Building Skyline. Sunset Sky.

Hi Drew,I am sitting here looking at a bunch of my old pictures on my iphone and came across some from your visit to Vancouver a few years ago with your Dad and Kiera. That was such a fun time for all of us! There are two pictures I really like. One is of you and Rowan sitting on the bed laughing your heads off as to played computer game on your tablets. The other is of you, Rowan and Raya all piled together on the big swing in our backyard. I also remember during that visit I would go out early each morning to get Starbucks coffee for your Dad and I. When I returned your Dad and I would talk and talk, much of it about you. He loved you so much as do Soos and I! I hope you have a good summer Drew and I really hope we can see you again soon. Lots of love and hugs.Papa Mike

Our Stories

JM's best childhood friend

The Exploding Birthday Cake

Spider-Man Mornings With Your Dad

He Loved Red, Holidays, The Habs and His Son

You Will Always Be Our Family

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