BOYSE - At the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Sunday, August 15th, 1999. Clayton Christopher Boyse of St. Thomas in his 78th year. Beloved husband of the late Mrs. Irene (Smith) Boyse (1984) and dear father of Dianna and her husband George Weston, St. Thomas; Jim and his wife Laurena Boyse, Copenhagen and Harold and his wife Lillian Boyse, London. Predeceased by two brothers Charles and D'Arcy Boyse. Clayton is also lovingly remembered by three grandchildren Carol, Clayton and Chase. Clayton was a dedicated Crossing Guard in the City of St. Thomas for thirteen years after retirement from the City's Meter Department. Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Interment Dorchester Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Remembrances to the Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. A Tree will be planted as Living Memorial to Mr. Boyse.

This is my personal tribute to my grandfather, Clayton Boyse, who I lost after a four-week battle with pancreatic/liver cancer. Although he is gone, he lives on in the many cherished memories I have of him.

It's funny, but I almost had myself convinced that Grandpa would live forever, he'd been such a constant in our lives. When you see the pictures of Grandpa below, you'll know what I mean - as long as I can remember, he's always been exactly the same. You always knew when Grandpa was coming, he was preceded by his cheery whistle. He wore big, flannel shirts, and the same black- rimmed reading glasses for years! He loved coffee and flirting with the waitresses who served him. He enjoyed Saturday morning breakfasts, followed by a casual drive to the beach in Port Stanley where he would sit and watch the sea-gulls. Most of all, I think, he took pleasure in time spent with his family, especially my dad, his son-in-law. It was always the most fun watching my dad make him laugh with his antics.

On Saturday, August 7th, 1999, I said good-bye to my grandpa for the final time. As difficult as it was, I am so happy that I had the chance to tell him I love him and see him before he went into the hospital. The final thing I did, after hugging him good-bye, was cover his hand. I think my favourite thing about Grandpa was his hands - these big, wrinkly, soft hands that always fascinated me when I was a little girl.

I will miss my Grandpa with all my heart. There are only a few men in my life that I love - my father, my brother, my sweetheart, and my two grandfathers. It is sad to know that one of these men is now gone. But he lives on in my heart and always will. I would like to share with you now some of my favourite Grandpa memories:

I guess you could say these are the earliest photos of myself and Grandpa together. These were taken in 1970, the year I was born. I regret that I have no other pictures of Grandpa and I together. I wish I did.

My grandfather started out as a farmer for many years. When he moved to St. Thomas, Ontario, he worked as a meter man downtown. Quite often you would spot Grandpa about the city, "holding up a post", as my father would say! This picture was taken in 1982.

Christmas 1990, Grandpa surprised us all with Christmas stockings. These weren't just any stockings, either - they were filled with silly trinkets he'd collected over the years - little plastic cars and games, mini-packages of Kleenex, finger puppets, and other fun things. I will always remember this as one of my favourite Christmases. It is sad to know Grandpa won't be there in his favourite chair this year. The holidays will never be the same again!

Grandpa in a typical "Grandpa pose". He always liked to ham it up for the camera. This was taken at a family reunion in the summer of 1993. Unfortunately, we never had another one of these reunions and we lost other family members this summer, too.

In 1994, Grandpa had to have his cat, Muff, put down after a lengthy illness. He took this very hard as he and Muff were buddies for many years. To cheer him up, that Christmas, our family pitched in and surprised him with a pet budgie whom he named Peter. I'd like to think that we gave him his best Christmas ever that year.

For 13 years, my grandpa was a crossing guard at Forest & Fairview Ave in St. Thomas, Ontario and he made several appearances in the St. Thomas Times-Journal (this appeared in 1998). Everybody knew him! They would honk their horns when they drove by and the kids would spoil him with boxes of chocolates every Christmas. He would joke with passers-by and befriend just about everyone! He loved the children he crossed and would be comforted to know that they loved him, too. I was touched by the number of children and teachers who showed at visitation to pay their respects.

Grandpa died peacefully in the afternoon of August 15th, 1999, with his family around him. Although I could not be there, I am so glad that I had my chance to say good-bye the previous Saturday. It was a special moment I will always hold on to and I will never live to forget the expression on his face that day. He was very dear to me and in my heart, he will never be gone.