Colin Roy Freel was born in Hamilton, Ontario at 9 am, on Wednesday March 5, 1937, the first and only child of Margery and Elmer Freel. He was their pride and joy.

My grandmother kept a detailed journal of my Dad’s early years, including: recipes for his formula, his sleeping patterns, his mobility accomplishments, his developing speech and a record of each new tooth. From what I read, I find it remarkable how one’s personality is set right from birth. Here is an excerpt from her diary:

“Colin was an exceptionally good baby. Liked his food, never sick and slept well at night. Did not sleep very much in the daytime. Colin is very strong and chubby. Fussed after his 7 pm bottle for half an hour. At 5 months, Colin found his voice and jabbered all day. At 6 months, he sat alone and at 7 months, he kept his balance perfectly and could hold his bottle on his own. Bacon made Colin belch. Does not fancy potatoes and very seldom wants bread at his meals. Laughs so heartily- it tickles the heartstrings. Has not made strange with people so far.”

And later on from his toddler years: “Not a naughty boy but plenty active. Could walk several blocks and then holler when put in his cart. Everyone remarks on Colin being advanced for his years. At two, he knew the words to six songs and could keep the correct time with a baton to radio music. When asked, whose little boy are you? He would respond that he was Pearl’s pal, Grandma’s love, Mama’s sweetheart and Daddy’s little man.”

It is clear from my grandmother’s journal that she adored her son. Nana Freel was a conscientious and doting mother. Her journal tells the first chapter of many of my Dad’s life stories.

The chapter I know best and the one I would like to share with you is my Dad’s story of fatherhood and family.

When I was growing up, my Dad always had the coolest jobs. Not many gals can say that their Dad was once a male model, but I can! Dad was the face of many advertisements in the 1960s, however most notable was the Woodbine Racetrack ad, with the many faces of Colin viewing a horse race. For an entire season, this ad was prominently placed inside the program at Maple Leafs hockey games, making Dad a familiar face to many Torontonians.

When I was four years old, Dad worked in advertising and the Mattel toy company was one of his clients. Dad brought home the latest and greatest toys, including a hot wheels racetrack and my favourite, Swingy, the dancing doll, along with her own 45 record to swing to.

When I was six, Dad started working for McDonald’s and Miriam and I got to meet Ronald McDonald. At the time, it felt like we were meeting Santa Claus! That year on Hallowe’en we handed-out gift cards for free big macs to trick or treaters. McDonalds was still new in Canada and these gift cards were a hot hand-out!  I gave away french-fry gift cards to my classmates in grade one, earning me the unfortunate nick-name, French Fries, which stuck with me until high school. A few years later, when Dad worked for The Pop Shoppe, we handed-out out cups of pop on Hallowe’en- Lime Rickey and Cherry Cola were my favourites. Tired and thirsty treat-or-treaters visited our house more than once to quench their thirst and try the latest Pop Shoppe flavour. With Burger King, our family travelled across Canada from coast to coast, combining family holidays with business trips, and eating lots of whoppers! Imagine the shock of the store manager in Sydney, Nova Scotia or Brandon, Manitoba, when the vice-president showed up unannounced with his family in tow! When Dad became the president of Wendy’s, one of the perks was the use of the company van, bright yellow, with a picture of Wendy sprawled on the side and the caption “Hot and Juicy” in bold letters. It sure was an attention-getting way to be dropped at the camp bus!

Dad sometimes brought home products, which were new to Canada and not even on the stores shelves yet. Miriam and I were among the first in Canada to try Pop Rocks Candy and Wagon Wheels. Each year at Christmas we would receive a special delivery of McCain products- a big perk of being in the burgers and fries business! Imagine our delight and my Mom’s horror at our large freezer being filled with McCain’s french-fries, mini-pizzas and ready-made cakes!

Many years ago, Dad has switched from hamburgers to pet food. He always has treats in his pocket for canine family members, who follow him around with loyal devotion.

Dad has always been a great athlete and he shared his love of sport and games with his children. Dad was the driver behind our family joining Caledon Ski Club, where we all learned how to ski and enjoyed time as a family. 47 years later, I am still an active member at the ski club and Miriam, Derek and I have all passed our love of skiing onto our children. Dad joined our family to the Kingsway Platform Tennis Club, where our family spent countless hours playing and competing. My Dad’s enthusiasm and joyfulness while playing paddle was evident with his loud hoots, hollers and laughter. A year ago, we had a family game of tennis at the Trout Club- Adam and Jack versus Dad and me. Dad proved that he had not lost his athletic skill and enthusiasm and guess what, we won! I think Dad tweaked every muscle in his body, but it wasn’t something a stiff martini during cocktail hour couldn’t solve.

Each summer my parents rented a cottage beside the Dickson’s cottage in Sundridge. This is where Dad taught us how to play tennis, throw horseshoes and gleefully run like mad from the hot sauna to the lake. Dad and Uncle Dave Dickson planned treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, tennis tournaments and games nights. Dad loved to play board games with us- his favourite was Risk. In recent years Dad has taught his grandchildren how to play Hearts and is always willing to try a new game. The first time Dad played our family favourite game, The Settlers of Cattan, he came close to winning. On Christmas Eve this past Christmas while at the Wells, and loosened-up by a few glasses of wine, Dad was the runner-up in a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity.

When we were kids, Dad wanted us to have a play structure in the backyard, however the only ones on the market were flimsy metal climbers. He designed and built a large wooden structure that included a chin-up bar, rope ladder and tire swing. He named it “The Freel Thing” and we had the most popular backyard in the neighbourhood. Dad also built a sand box, a high jump, a basketball net on a post and a skateboard ramp. Dad wanted us to be outside playing and provided us with the tools for fun and exercise.

Dad was a hands-on parent, who managed to be very involved in our lives even with the demands of his executive jobs and regular business travel. He volunteered in our community as a hockey coach and convener and even was the sole male member of the PTA at Lambton-Kingsway School. He helped with homework and would rush home from work when one of us was sick. Dad set the bar when it came to what we wore to school. Dad taught us how to look people in the eye and say hello in a loud and clear voice. He taught us to work hard and never to be late. Dad was our rock and someone we could always count on.

Dad- Thank you for being such a wonderful father, step-father, father-in-law and grandfather. Your cheerful personality, boundless energy, positive attitude, dedicated loyalty and strong work ethic have served you well. You are a wonderful role model to all of your offspring and we all adore you! I look forward to many more years of sharing your love and laughter and creating more happy memories together.

Happy 80^th birthday to the best Dad in the world!