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My Dad
My Dad was born on November 2, 1922 in Paris, France. He was raised in France until his teen years when he came to Cornwall, Ontario, Canada with his family.
A copy of an original oil painting made of my Dad when he was about two or so.
Paris, France.
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My Dad at two years old, in Paris, France. 1924.
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My Dad's siblings: Monique, my Dad, Michel and Yves.
Paris, France.
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One day, my father, when he was about eight years old, went down to the kitchens to see what was going on and somehow got his fingers caught in a meat grinder and ended up losing three of his fingers. A very sad day for the whole family and one they never forgot.
My father, Bernard Filliol, said that his mother was a very good to him, and a great cook. She could cook amazing pies! She was also a musician and an artist.
My Dad's sister, my Aunt Monique, told me this story recently. "I have one lovely memory was the time she took me out to tea at Le Printemps a big department store that still exists. Anyway I was about nine or ten years old, got all dressed up and off we went. Once we were going to see a movie but no room at the movie house so we went to a book store and She bought me "Little women" in French of course. I loved the book and still have it. I have to add that my mother always bought me lovely clothes which of course I loved as I was very coquette and still am!"
My grandparents came to Canada to escape World War I. They left everything behind, at great financial loss. My father (Bernard) said leaving France was his saddest memory.
My father's (Bernard) blood mother died when he was sixteen years old. She died of bowel cancer when she was only fifty-two years old. That must have been so very difficult for the family.
My Dad in 1932, Paris, France.
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At the beach with his sister, Monique. Paris, France, 1934.
My Dad was twelve years old.
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Outside a cinema in Paris, France.
My Dad is on the very left. He was thirteen years old.
My Grandma Filliol on the very right
and then my Aunt Monique next to her.
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On the left: Monique, my Grandpa Filliol, my Dad and Michel.
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When my Dad was fifteen, his father (my Grandfather Filliol) gave him a Bible. In it my Grandfather wrote: "Mon cher Bernard ...Pour
qu'il regarde vers le ciel. Ton pere. April 4, l937." (In English, "My dear Bernard...For he looks to the sky. Your Father.)
My Dad in his stereo room in 1966.
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My Dad loved to bike. He is on the left.
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My parents; Winter 2012
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My parents on the left. Spring 2013.
Right next to them are very dear friends of my family, Dorothy and Erwin Loewen.
(Their daughter Jane was my best friend in my childhood.)
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My father died not long after the above photo was taken. He died of heart failure on May 17, 2013. He was cremated.
Death Of My Dad
My Mom
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