Laurie Kontek - In Honor of My Dad

I started coming to the Camrose Men's Shed in December 2024, but the real story began long before that with my dad. He had been a proud member of the Shed for several years, long before his cancer diagnosis. This place meant the world to him. It wasn't just about building projects or fixing things; it was about building relationships, sharing stories, and finding peace that only comes from being among good men.

When Dad got sick, it didn't stop him from wanting to come. Even as his strength faded, the Shed remained his sanctuary. He spoke so highly of this place and the friendships he had made here. He loved the projects, painting, crafting boxes for community equipment, and whatever else he needed to do. But what he loved most was the camaraderie. He would always tell people, "You need to join the Shed. You won't regret it."

As he grew too weak to drive himself, my brother and I took turns bringing him. It was never a question of "If you want to go, Dad, we will take you." Every trip here was important to him, a reminder that life was still worth showing up for. Even so close to the end, it amazed me how much joy and strength he drew from this place.

I saw firsthand the power of the Shed when I made him a special sign, a handcrafted logo that said, "Men's Shed We Build Friendships." He loved it. His face lit up when I presented it to him, and today, that sign has become the Shed's official logo. It may have been a small gesture but meant everything to us.

Dad kept coming right up until two weeks before he passed. Some questioned whether he should keep pushing himself, but we knew this place kept him going. It gave him purpose, laughter, dignity, and the friendships that carried him when his body no longer could.

Now, I come to the Shed to honor him. Even though I work full-time and can't be here as often as I'd like, I feel him here when I walk through those doors. I see the faces of the men who cared for him, who still welcome me as one of their own. I hear their laughter, the clink of tools, the easy conversations, and it's like being with him again.

The Men's Shed gave my dad a place to belong until his death. Without realizing it, it gave me a connection to him and a community that keeps his memory alive.

I want to thank you on behalf of my dad and from the bottom of my heart. This place didn't just give him happiness. It gave him hope. And now, it comforts me, a piece of him I can still hold onto.