[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 61-03, July - September, 2007 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Heartfelt Thank You

By Bruce Ott

This is an open Thank You to the Barbershoppers of the Ontario District.

August 14, 2007 was the saddest day of my life. My Dad, Ted Ott passed away. Where do you turn for support? To family and friends. When you are a member of a Society of men called Barbershoppers the support is endless.

My brother Barry (The Northern Lights) and I (Royal City Ambassadors) asked a couple of our friends to put the word out that my Mum (Willa) would really like Barbershop music at Dad’s memorial. Dad was a long-time member of The Dukes of Harmony, a member of the Association of Past Ontario Champions (APOC) via district champion Hometowners quartet, and a resident at Harmony Ranch.

When Mum and I were making final arrangements, we were asked how many singers we could expect. We set aside 25 chairs. The service was held in Lakefield, two hours north of Toronto. We would be grateful if we would exceed the 25.

We were overwhelmed! The final count was 97, plus Barry and I. That’s 99! Add my sisters
Debbie and Diane (Sweet Ads) for a total of 101 singers for the final song, “From The First Hello To The Last Good-Bye.”

I wish to thank the Barbershoppers of the Ontario District for filling my heart with song once again and telling my Dad that he was truly loved by so many.

From the whole Ott Family (30 in all), Thank you.     k