In 2001 I met Jack for the first time. I had connected with Cousin Marje, and made the trip to California for a Hedger Family Reunion. They are both my 3rd cousins 1x removed. I know, sounds very distant. But that is one of the things with the Hedger family; it doesn’t matter. He welcomed me with a big bear hug. We talked a bit about Canada as I was born there, and he knew it well. We shared some interesting family comparisons, and I was one of the family.
Last summer we drove up to Canada to meet up with some of our Hedger cousins. We had a wonderful visit. But one of the things we did that I will treasure the most was seeing Jack. We will always be grateful to Bev for planning the visit.
Life is short, even if you have lived a long time and seen a lot. Jack lived a long life, and filled it with experiences. He did it the right way.
Live, Love, Laugh. Godspeed Cousin Jack.

By three years of age I learned to twirl spicy spaghetti properly with a fork & spoon from eating off of Grandpa Jack’s plate. And he used to take me skeet shooting with some of those important people at the same age. During my elementary school days we were studying pirates and I once told the class that I had met a real-life pirate, Cap’n Crunch. I had met The Cap’n when Grandpa had taken me skeet shooting. The class laughed at me hysterically and I went home that afternoon in tears. We called Grandpa that evening after dinner and within a week I had a letter and package from the real-life pirate that I had met – The Cap’n (CEO of Quaker Oats) and he included two boxes of Captain Crunch cereal to share with my class-mates. I took the letter to school but I pirated the boxes of cereal for myself. Aye Matey!