VERNE ASHKEWE

Verne Ashkewe was born on November 3, 1967 in Orillia Ontario. He lost his brief but valiant battle with cancer on June 21, 2023.

He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Dee. He leaves behind his son Takota and he leaves to mourn many friends along with his cat Dylan whom he loved very much.

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Verne went to Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute. After he graduated he moved to Winnipeg. Verne started working as a school bus driver, tech trucking company and most recently as a driver for Rising Star Courier as Verne loved to drive.

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Verne loved spending time with his wife Dee going camping at Cardinal Bay and Oriole Bay at Birds Hill Park. They would often plug a TV into their van to watch movies late into the night sitting around a camp fire drinking a cup of coffee. Every Thursday Verne and Dee would have a “date” night where they would go to Kaye’s Auction in search of a great deal.

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Verne also loved to spend time with his numerous friends fishing and having BBQs. Every time there was a potluck Verne would bring a Butter Chicken Curry dish that he would become famous for!

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In his later years Verne would take up Bowling as a passion at Coronation Bowling Lanes. Here he would employ a wicked curve whilst throwing the ball down the alley for many strikes. He liked to sit back with a Caesar drink and a bag of candy while spending time with his fellow bowlers.

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He will be dearly missed by his son Takota, Dylan “the cat”, all of his friends and his bowling “family”.

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FOREVER

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I had not known before

Forever was so long a word.

The slow stroke of the clock of time

I had not heard.

‘Tis hard to learn so late;

It seems no sad heart really learns,

But hopes and trusts and doubts and fears,

And bleeds and burns.

The night is not all dark,

Nor is the day all it seems,

But each may bring me this relief—

My dreams and dreams.

I had not known before

That Never was so sad a word,

So wrap me in forgetfulness—

I have not heard.

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-Paul Laurence Dunbar