Clayton Reading

Clayton Vernon Reading, born and raised in Toronto, to Henry and May Reading, passed away at the Louis Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest on Saturday, January 13^th, 2018, peacefully surrounded by family in his 91st year. Beloved husband of the late Janet Smith.  Clayton will also be remembered by his first wife and the mother of his children, Marjorie Reading.  Loving father to Judy Buchan (John) of Burlington, Trish Grenier (Henri) of Palmerston, Linda Court (Jim) of Copetown, Robert Reading of Hamilton, Donna Chambers (Brian) of Muskoka, Ruthanne Gardiner (Robert) of Lynden, Janet Huys (Gord) of Tottenham, Ronald Reading (Rosy) of Port Elgin, Lou Anne Hemmings (Chris) of Herndon, Virginia.  Proud and cherished grandfather of Andrew, Amy, Melissa, Jaimie, Adam, Jesse, Tyson, Kevin, Tara, Scott, Evan, Sherri-Lynn, Daron, Bronson, and Veronica. Fondly remembered by great-grandchildren Emma, Ava, Zoey, Gavin, Lincoln, Abigail, Isabella, Kaitlyn, Annabelle, Emily, and Hunter. Dear brother to Audrie Gordon and the late Barrie Reading. Caring uncle of Susan Cook (John) and Richard Gordon (Margo).  Clayton loved a family gathering.  His favorite part was when the poker game was organized. He enjoyed a great game with his children and grandchildren if they were up for the challenge.  He liked to outwit and outplay, he usually had a trick up his sleeve, often winning the pot. Clayton “Kay” enjoyed the times with his sister playing cribbage.  He also loved a good road trip to find the “best” fish ‘n’ chip shop.  He has driven our country coast to coast, enjoying the backroads and the company along the way.  He was a proud Canadian.  Clayton has lived in Toronto, Weston, Clarkson, Port Credit, and Port Elgin.  Prior to being a resident of Birmingham Retirement home in Mount Forest, he resided in Bolton with his daughter Donna and son-in-law Brian.  Great memories have been made with all his children, memories to last a lifetime. Cheers and happy trails!

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.  As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted to the England Funeral Home, Mount Forest, 294 Main Street South, PO Box 38, Mount Forest, Ontario   N0G 2L0 (519-323-2631) www.englandfuneralhome.com.

 

The Dash by Linda Ellis

 

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?