Dad's 80th

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My brother older David and his wife Gail had arranged a big party in Hamilton to celebrates Dad's 80th birthday (April 19, 1994). We had lots of family and friends from near and far at a dinner in a nearby restaurant and then gathered at their home for more food, conversation and laughs.

Dad, unfortunately, could not be there! Throughout his life he had stomach problems. And when they were acting up he was very uncomfortable and a bear to be around. This was one of those occasions.

The photo album at left captures some of the family and friends who attended. There are are some funny pictures of the younger kids salivating over the cake. One of the photos has John McKessock having a heated conversation with a virtual Maurice Quinton.

For the occasion  Kate and I wrote a song which follows. It's to the tune of "Comin' 'Round the Mountain" and, while far too long, was written to appeal to the kiddies.

Maurice's 80th Birthday Song

Oh we'll all go out to greet him when he comes. Hi Moe! (wave)
Oh we'll all go out to greet him when he comes. Hi Moe!
Oh we'll all go out to greet him,

And we'll all hug and  kiss him.

Oh we'll all go out to greet him when he comes.
Hi Moe!

He'll be comin' along with Maggie when he comes. Hi Folks! (wave again)
He'll be comin' along with Maggie when he comes. Hi Folks!
He'll be comin' along with Maggie,

And a herd of seven children.

He'll be comin' along with Maggie when he comes.
Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

Oh Maggie will bake an apple pie when he comes. Yum Yum! (rub your tummy)
Oh Maggie will bake an apple pie when he comes. Yum Yum!
Oh Maggie'll bake an apple pie,

A mock apple pie!

Oh Maggie will bake an apple pie when he comes.
Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

Oh he'll have a great big family when he comes. Lotsa Kids! (open arms wide)
Oh he'll have a great big family when he comes. Lotsa Grandkids!
The whole fam-damnily,

Are so proud to be his family.

Oh he'll have a great big family when he comes.
Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

We'd climb in bed on Sundays oh what fun! Snuggle Snuggle! (hug yourself - or someone nearby!)
We'd climb in bed on Sundays oh what fun! Snuggle Snuggle!
Oh we'd pile in bed on Sundays,

With someone wedged in sideways,

Until mom hit the floor on her bum!
Ker Plunk! (drop hands) Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! 

Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

He went fishing with the boys when he was young. Splish Splash! (stomp your feet)
He went fishing with the boys when he was young. Splish Splash!
He went fishing with the boys,

And deer hunting with the guys.

But never caught nothin' way back then.
No surprise! (roll your eyes) Ker Plunk! Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! 

Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

He'll be telling lots of jokes when he comes. Hee Haw! (make face smile)
He'll be telling lots of jokes when he comes. Hee Haw!
He'll be telling naughty jokes,

And taking lots of pokes.

He'll be telling lots of jokes when he comes.
Hee Haw! No surprise! Ker Plunk! Lotsa Kids! 

Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

He'll be cursing governments when he comes. Damn Tories! (wag your finger)
He'll be cursing governments when he comes. Damn Grits!
He'll be cursing governments,

He'll be having real fits.

But he can't live without 'em when it's done.
Damn Reds! Hee Haw! No surprise! Ker Plunk! 

Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

Oh we'll have an argument when he comes. Metric System! (shake your fist)
Oh we'll have an argument when he comes. Preserve English!
Oh we'll have an argument,

And some coffee when we're spent.

Oh we'll have an argument when he comes.
Women Priests! (pray) Damn Reds! Hee Haw! No surprise! 

Ker Plunk! Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! 

Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

He'll be driving a green Kenworth when he comes. Gear Down! (gear down)
He'll be driving a green Kenworth when he comes. Gear Down!
He'll be driving a green Kenworth,

He'll be swervin' in life's highway.

He'll be driving a green Kenworth when he comes.
Gear Down! Women Priests! Damn Reds! Hee Haw! 

No surprise! Ker Plunk! Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! 

Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

He'll be bringing Cai and Kane when he comes. Where's Gran? (look around)

He'll be bringing Cai and Kane when he comes. Where's Gran?
He'll be bringing Cai and Kane,

And be settin' off to London.

But he's forgettin' Gran at home when he comes.
Turn Back! (point behind) Gear Down! Women Priests! Damn Reds! 

Hee Haw! No surprise! Ker Plunk! Lotsa Kids! 

Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

He worries about his children when they come. So Glum! (sad face)
He worries about his children when they come. So Glum!
He worries about his children,

And his children's children's children.

He worries about his children when they come.
So Glum! Turn Back! Gear Down! Women Priests! 

Damn Reds! Hee Haw! No surprise! Ker Plunk! 

Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe! 

We'll have a big party when he's 80. Happy Birthday! (clap clap)
We'll have a big party when he's 80. Happy Birthday!
We'll have a big party,

And he'll tell lots of stories.

We'll have a big party when he&'s 80.
Happy Birthday! So Glum! Turn Back! Gear Down! 

Women Priests! Damn Reds! Hee Haw! No surprise! Ker Plunk! 

Lotsa Kids! Yum Yum! Hi Folks! Hi Moe!

BIG CHEER!!!

This note and photo album collected during the COVID-19 crisis of 2021.