Published In The Great North Arrow, November 1, 2024: An Obituary For Rod Urquhart, Award Winning Author

- jim Young

“If any of you cry at my funeral, I’ll never speak to you again.” Stan Laurel

I once had an uncle who resisted going to funerals more than most. My aunt would have to cajole him into attending. When she finally broke my uncle down and got him to reluctantly agree to go, my uncle would inevitably say, “Fine. I’ll go. But I won’t have a good time.”

To be fair to my uncle, “funeral ceremonies” of the day were sombre and sad events unlike many “Celebrations of Life” that are held in honour of the deceased today.

Although the name itself might suggest otherwise, there was never much “fun” at any “funeral” I’ve ever attended.

The Celebration Of Life concept on the other hand, became popular in the western world in the 1970s. Many believe it originated with the Irish and their custom of holding “wakes” which are often a happier celebration in honour of the deceased.

The Celebration Of Life held this past Sunday in Newmarket for Rod (Talk Turkey with Urqey) Urquhart fit more into the category of a “wake”

As you are very likely aware by now, my esteemed colleague Rod Urquhart succumbed to his battle with cancer, signing off with his final “- 30 -” on October 12, 2024. 

“Succumbed” doesn’t really seem like the right word here. Inevitably of course, everyone who battles cancer will eventually “succumb” to it, if not something else along the way. Rod accepted that premise but invoked a codicil to prolong the battle long past his originally designated “due date”. Instead Rod insisted on making it to the final round just as Rocky Balboa chose to do against Apollo Creed.

Personally I never met Rod, but I think I got to know him pretty well through our email correspondence. Rod was more of a “digital pen pal” if you will. He was also a mentor of sorts. We had plans to meet this past summer somewhere between his final rounds, but his cancer had other plans. That was my loss.

This note from the editor of the
Great North Arrow was added to my column.

When Cyndi and Jim (owners of the Great North Arrow) and I arrived at the Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home and took our seats I leaned over to Jim and noted, “I thought funeral homes were supposed to be like libraries where everyone whispered.”

But don’t get me wrong. The conversations being shared in the chapel were far from irreverent nor did they suggest even a hint of disrespect.

Rod’s family and friends, who all knew Rod much better than I did, also knew that tears and sadness were forbidden at this event. Rod, through his beloved wife Aase made that abundantly clear.

Each speaker took his or her turn sharing their thoughts and memories of Rod as professionally as you might expect of the headliner at Yuk-Yuk’s. And for the first time in my life, I heard and participated in applauding eulogies.

There were a few very minor, perfectly understandable and forgivable slips here and there but for the most part the speakers all bravely honoured Rod’s last wishes.

As the music of each song that was played in honour of Rod, from “The Theme from Rocky” to “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” began, every friend and family member could be seen smiling and nodding their heads. They were nods of approval reflecting the appropriateness of the tune consistent with their individual memories of Rod.

Tears for a lost loved one are often used to gauge the degree to which we loved the departed and how much we will miss them. I didn’t see too many tears shed for Rod that day. Rather, the gauge used to demonstrate the love and admiration we all had for Rod was not tears, but laughter. And judging by the laughter that emanated from the Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home in Newmarket last Sunday, there can be no doubt just how much Rod Urquhart will be missed.

So long Rod, here’s to laughter!

- 30 -