TRURO - When family members gather to remember Adam Archibald they can't help but burst into laughter.
Stories are exchanged about how Adam would launch into a comedic role without any notice, and how he could diminish a bad mood even quicker.
"He was the wittiest person I knew," said wife Karen. "His humour was very constant ... he had a constant barrage of comments and jokes. I'd be so mad sometimes and he'd say or do something and I couldn't be mad any longer. He could diffuse any situation with humour."
"He was a big goofball," chuckled daughter Mary. "I remember his funny and stupid jokes."
"And he was a ladies man," stated daughter Kay, leading to another round of laughter.
But Adam had his moments of fear as well, the family recalled.
For instance, when the family went on a trip to Belize, in Central America, just months before Adam's death, he stayed in the cabin longer than intended.
"He wouldn't leave the cabin because he was scared of snakes," explained Mary.
Family time was something Adam cherished, said Audrey Reid, Adam's mom. His love for Karen, his partner of 14 years, and his daughters and son Reid came above all things.
"His biggest joy was being a father," said Audrey. "And he thought Karen was absolute perfection."
Adam is also well known in the community for his volunteer efforts, especially coaching atom and pee wee house league hockey.
"I remember him saying, 'it's just a game. We're here to have fun,'" said Karen.
But as much as Adam loved volunteering his time with others, one of his absolute favourite places to be was at the cottage in Shortts Lake.
"He'd spend hours and hours boating, tubing and water skiing with the kids," recalled Karen. "He lived for the moment."
In fact, Adam had a way of making other people enjoy life, too. Those who knew Adam are quick to say whenever he bumped into someone on the street he made them his Number 1 priority at the moment.
"People told us when they ran into him he was uplifting and made them laugh," said Audrey.
"Nothing else mattered at that moment but that person," added Karen. "Many people after he died stated to me that the candle that burns brightest burns half as long."
Adam died at the age of 44 from cardiac arrest.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
|
