In 1976 Gene and Allan left home. This time they went on posting to Guyana, where Dad became High Commissioner to Guyana and Ambassador to Suriname. It was not an easy post partly because of the economic and political deterioration then under way, but also because Mum & Dad had to adjust to being a couple without children, for the first time in over 20 years. Following the Guyana posting, they were then posted to the High Commission in Barbados. Dads turf included the whole Eastern Caribbean. He loved it, and Barbados was a much nicer place to live. During this period, both Mum & Dad had their share of health problems; Mum breaking her back in a boating accident in French Guiana, and Dad having multiple bypass surgery. These things slowed them down a bit, but they continued to enjoy diplomatic life. After the Barbados posting, Mum and Dad returned to Canada, where Dad became Deputy Commandant at the National Defense College in Kingston, Ontario. Mum and Dad really enjoyed living in Kingston, and being able to have family much closer by (with the exception of John in Australia). During this period they also enjoyed becoming grandparents, first to Charlie and Brittany Roger, and then to Michael Roger. Unfortunately, bad genes, too much good food, and smoking caught up with Dad in 1987, when he died following a heart attack at age 58. So ended the 35-year Gene and Allan partnership. Over the course of those years, Mum maintained that they had lived in 17 houses in 8 different countries. They also had four sons and sent them all to university. A pretty good run.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 07:58:11 +0000
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