High School Friend

Cam Gorman
Fonthill, Ontario
High School Friend

Dear Vellenga Family,

We thank you very much for keeping in touch with us. As you are aware, Ted left a large, lasting impact on our lives. I don't believe anyone from our high school crew has written on the blog yet.It is a means that we have not used for sharing memories, as we have been fortunate to be near each other and often speak of and tell stories of Ted. Thanks to your update, we visited Ted's grave marking as a group. A sad occasion, but also joyous recognizing the great circle of friends we have that Ted is such an important part of.

For others who may be reading, Ted was a high school friend, part of a group anywhere from 10 to 20 of us. We frequently got together to hang out and did so much together, from going to the movies, bowling dressed up in silly 1970's clothing (Ted looked great in the brown plaid pants), to traveling to Algonquin Park (more than 10 of us in total) thanks to Ted spearheading the whole thing for us. We continued keeping in touch following our high school years.

As Ted went off on his adventures at various places throughout Canada and the US, his arrival home for a visit was always a highlight for any event, or an event in itself. It was on the night that we lost Ted that we had been awaiting his arrival at our annual Christmas party (known as the Ham party). My brother had pointed out that his arrival every year created the biggest uproar of excitement of the night. He of course would spend the evening asking everyone how they have been and what they have been up to, and listening with great interest to everyone. And of course, rarely speaking of himself. I read with a smile hearing of Ted's items stored for a planned farm. I admired his love of farming and of the land so much. As you speak with more people you learn even more things about Ted that are so interesting.

I wish all the Vellenga family our love.
We miss him very much.