Calvin Spry Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Me again at 5
Kennedy Juelich
February 16, 2013
Me at around the age of 5
Kennedy Juelich
February 16, 2013
Kennedy Juelich
February 16, 2013
Hi Grandpa :)
I wanted to let you know, I have a brother who's named after you. His name is Calvin. Mom says he looks like you. Love you :)
Kennedy Juelich
February 16, 2013
Dear Grandpa,
I am 10 now. I always wondered how you looked and I have wondered why you had to die sometimes. I wish you were still alive, here with me. I miss you even though I have barely a memory of you. I still will always have you in my heart. I know that mom misses you a lot too. We're doing just fine :) I love you.
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cory spry
May 4, 2012
dad i will always miss you i wish you were alive i love you.
cory spry
April 17, 2012
hi this is cory im now 13 years old and i have missed my dad trying to get through it I just want him to come back i love you dad with all my heart
Christina Spry
June 7, 2005
Dad,
I sit here now, nearly three years have passed and not a single day easier than the one before. I find myself still needing you at twenty-two years old. Needing your guidance, encouragement, laughter, lessons, wisdom and most of all your love. Nothing will ever be able to replace the force that you were in my life and the role you played in helping me become the person that I am. So many things seem unright in my life and the largest one is not having you in it. I miss you more than I will ever be able to convey, especially in words. My thoughts are with you everyday and I cherish the moment when I will be able to be with you in heavan. I love you very much.
Love,
chrissy
Brandon Spry
April 8, 2005
Dear dad. I wish you were here.And in my dreams you were alive.And it has bean so long sence I bene with you.I wish you still can by Harry Potter toys.And I wish dad can rub my bak. Love your son Brandon.
Jennifer J
February 24, 2003
Dear Cal, What can I say.There are not words to put down to tell you how much you have ment to me. All of the time we have spent with eachother talking, and listening to eachother and being close. All our long walks around the lake and movies.Listening to all of those tracks of Beatles music in the car for hours at "Our Spot".Listening to you play for the boys and Iand singing along. Little dinners we would cook. Bathtime with the boys. Our big furniture shopping trip. Playing with our kids altogether the looks we would get with all our little men in tow at McDOnalds, or at the movies. You were the sweetest person I have ever met. Thank you for being you! Heaven is lucky to have you there.You will be in my thoughts forever! Jen
Marilyn Spry
January 19, 2003
Dear Calvin,
There is no way for me to put forth how proud I am of you. I have not seen you for many years and did not know just what kind of man you had grown up to be. But, there is nothing this side of heaven that I could say to honor your life any more than what you did when alive.
I have learned how responsible and loving you were in your life towards your family, friends, and co-workers. You had become one special person. I only hope with all my heart that you are aware that everyone you touched has a kind word for you and will miss you so very much!! You will not be forgotten! Love you, your Aunt Marilyn
Judith Spry
January 17, 2003
Dear Uncle Cal,
My heart longs for your humor, your amazing intelligence, and mostly spending time with you. I regret now more than ever, not making things right between us when we disagreed. We all miss you so much Uncle Cal. Especially Brandon & Cory. The love you had for them, shines right through their beautiful faces, and shines at everyone that looks at them. You did many wonderful things for your boys,and I know that their "Auntie Carrie" is doing her best to raise them as you did. Whenever I hear the Beatles you warm up my heart. I miss you so much, and I am always thinking of you.
I love you Uncle Cal
Your Niece,
Judith Spry
noel rickerby
December 31, 2002
Calvin Spry
To Shona, Ken, Carrie, Cameron, Chrissy, Megan, Brandon & Cory
Though it is 26 years since we were first with you in America, we have kept in touch and recall the fond memories of those few short happy weeks with you all.
Despite the modern technology that Calvin helped us understand to communicate more recently, this tragic loss makes the distance of miles too far to encircle you with the love and compassion we feel.
May this time strengthen the family through the coming months to understand the loss of a son, a brother and a Father.
Our thoughts are with you all and we will keep in touch.
Love from all the Geraldton and Townsville (Australia) Rickerbys.
Andy Strohmayer
December 29, 2002
Dear Cal,
I will sure miss you! You were and are truly an inspiration for me. The way you balanced your life amazed me; your priorities were always well focused. You were always true and passionate about the things that were important to you. I now more than ever respect the job you did raising the kids; they reflect the love and patience, nurturing and discipline, I only hope to achieve. You also were very dedicated to work, and somehow found time to do things for yourself. I will miss not having you around for the answers, for you always seemed to know them, or at least where to find them. As the days go by and I hear a Beatles tune I will always think of you.
Love,
Andy
Nathan Tursso
December 28, 2002
Dear uncle Cal,
Uncle Cal you were a good father, son, and brother. I loved watching you playing a beetles tune. I remember watching you try to play a tune but you couldn't. You never gave up trying.I know I would have gave up but you didn't. You never gave up on anything. I will never stop missing you and will remember all we did together.
Your Loving Nephew,
Nathan
Megan Spry
December 26, 2002
Daddy,
There are no words to describe how much my heart is aching, or how much I will truly miss you. Your smile, hugs, wisdom, and your humor. There are so many things that I regret not telling you, like how much I have always loved you and will long after I'm gone. I'll tell Kennedy what a wonderful, loving, caring man she has for a grandfather. It hurts me so much that you won't be able to watch her grow up, or that you never got to walk me down the isle on my wedding day. You will always be with me in my heart, my mind, and my soul. You'll live on forever in Chrissy, Brandon, Cory, Kennedy, and me. I love you so much dad and I will miss you every day, and carry your love on.
Bye Daddy
Carrie Strohmayer
December 24, 2002
Cal,
I can't even begin to let you know how much I miss you, our long talks solving our little and big problems, and your laughter. I always felt like your big sister, mostly because you seemed to need my help and I will miss you needing me. Cal, I need you now to help raise Brandon and Cory the way you were wanting to bring them up. I will be there for Chrissy, Megan and the boys and you will always be in my heart Cal.
Love to my big brother from your little sister Carrie.
LYNNE WYLIE
December 23, 2002
Dear Cal
Too young to be taken so tradically from your family. The last time I talked with you Cal, was during my trip to the states in '81 ,you were living in Houston at the time so I never got to see you.It is quite strange as Mike , our son is leaving to live in Houston for six months.Our thoughts and love are with each and every one of you, its so hard to come to terms with.
To everything there is a season
and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to sow and a time to reap.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time to have and a time to lose.
For everthing there is a season.
Love always - Your cousin Lynne, Christchurch, New Zealand
Edgar Rickerby
December 23, 2002
Well cal there is not going to be any more of those enjoyable fishing trips that we had together now that you have left us,and that I will really miss.I am thankful though that I was able to spend those days with you on my last trip to the U.S. although I never realised then just how precious those days would become as all the memories of the times we spent together since you where just a tot are now to me.To lose someone that I have watched grow from a baby to manhood and then every thing to end so suddenly is like losing a part of myself.Bye Cal and good fishing wherever you are.
Your uncle Edgar.
SALLY AND IVAN RICKERBY
December 23, 2002
DEAREST SHONA,KEN AND FAMILY-WE HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY WHILE AT LYNNE AND DAVE'S TO SEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND LOVE TO YOU ALL. I DID NOT HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING CAL BUT IVAN REMEMBERS HIM AS A BABY-TIME SURE FLIES. YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS OFTEN AS ARE CALS CHILDREN.
ALL OUR LOVE-SALLY AND IVANXXXXX
Aroha
December 22, 2002
Dear Cal,
I am so grateful that we got to catch up online - I had just expected that we would meet one day on one of my visits to America. It is so sad and so difficult to accept that this wont be...I know though, that when I do catch up with Ken and Shona, with Carrie and Cameron and Chrissy, Megan, Brandon and Cory that there will still be an opportunity to get to know you better as there will be reflections of you in each of them! You live on in the hearts and memories of your loved ones and it is obvious that many people loved you Cal. "ccspry" will stay on my friends list for a long time to come, we never know how much time we have......thank you for being such a great cousin. You are sadly missed, love and hugs to all, from your cousins in Brisbane, Australia....Aroha and Joanna xxxxxxx
Shona Spry
December 21, 2002
Dearest Cal, our first born. You will forever be in my thoughts and heart. Your sudden passing has saddened me so, there were those things I should have said, done and shared with you but as usual we put them off for another time. You first were a wonderful Dad and will have 4 dearly loved children to pass on your legacy. They were so proud of their Dad. Because of your love & caring for them, I know they will do great things as you did. You set them all on a good start. We will all be together for Christmas but it will not be the same without you, your special time of the year. I'll love you forever Cal.
Mom.
Kenneth Spry
December 21, 2002
I thank God that Calvin,Chrissy,Tim,Megan,Brandon, and Cory were able to come to Atlanta last summer to visit us for a week. As was usual for Cal the two boys were his main concern and I marveled at his patience with Brandon and Cory. They are two peas in a pod and high energy roudy boys.Brandon is the image of Cal when he was that age and Cory is also. It was quite plain how much they loved their dad and will miss him dearly. Carrie has taken care of the boys enough for them to be at home in her house and are doing well despite losing dad. I'm saddened by the fact that Cal went through another accident that took him a year to recuperate from only to be taken from us anyway. I know he is helping to take care of all the little children up there and doing what he did best on earth. Goodbye Cal I will miss you but never forget you or those qualities that made you so rich in such good friends. Our family will remain incomplete without you. Love dad.
sharon seils
December 19, 2002
I just heard about Calvin being gone.I want to let you know how special he was to my mom and me.He would take time to visit her when she was in the nursing home. When she saw him walk in the room the biggest smile would shine from her face and stay with her long after he left. Shetold me stories of when he was little and how wonderful a father and man he had become. She really loved him. I never got the chance to thank he or his family for caring so much. Lucille Isch's daughter Sharon Seils
sarah jenkins
December 19, 2002
Dear Family,
I just wanted to give my sympathy's to the family. I live in the same building that Calvin and the boys lived in. I will always remember the mournings, Calvin and I left at the same time and some mournings were better than others, Calvin and I would always laugh becuase we both knew how hard it is to get two kids ready and out the door on time. The boys were always playing with my kids outside and at the pool. My husband and I really never knew Calvin but when all the kids were playing together Calvin would walk over to Jay and I and we would talk. He was a good father. Are thoughts are with the Spry family.
Jay,Sarah,Morgan and Connor
Apt 120
Carol & Piet van Hout
December 17, 2002
To my dear Sister Shona, brother inlaw Kenny,Cameron,Carrie & esp. Calvins children & family. Piet & we can only feel great sadness esp. loosing Calvin in this way. We know how you all are feeling and can only send our love & support for each and everyone of you.
Unfortunately it is many years since I had seen Calvin & at that time can remember him as just being a great Beatles fan and saved every paper cutting he could. I know Calvin as being really happy and enjoyed life so much. I always enjoyed talking to him on the phone & as recent as 2 months ago. His first words were always Hi Aunt Carol. Piet & Calvin talked a great lot about golf the last words were well we will have a game soon.
We will miss that visit Cal. but can think of you often as you were.
Our love to you all Take care sis. Shona we love you all Aunt Carol & Uncle Piet. Kaiapoi North Canterbury New Zealand
Michelle King
December 13, 2002
Dear Cal (& family),
I know we only met once while I was visiting America with my aunt Carol. I was only seven at the time, but I sure do remember you. You drove this great big car and played your music so loud I thought I was going to go deaf. You were so kind to me making me feel so welcome and part of the family. I loved all the sweets you gave me, especially the ones you couldn't buy at home in New Zealand.
I will always remember you, your great smile and love for music and the way you made me feel special. You are a great cousin to have. I wish you peace and your family much love and good fortune.
Thanks for the great memories.
Love always your cousin from Aotearoa, Michelle King xxx
William Stegeman
December 11, 2002
Dear Spry Family,
I came to know Cal through his work. Whenever he came here he was always pleasant, even when we had a mysterious nagging problem which caused several return trips. I will miss him and can only pray that God will comfort you with pleasant memories.
Christina Spry
December 7, 2002
Dad,
I Know you're in heaven playing the guitar for God. I miss you so much and I will never forget you. I'll make sure Brandon and Cory always remember you and what a great father you were. I love you so much.
Love, your little girl
Chrissy
Roberta Apte
December 7, 2002
To All of Cal's family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Cal's passing. I heard stories of Cal from his loving mother, Shona, who I became friends with through work several years ago. I was impressed with his love and devotion to his family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you comfort and peace in your darkest hours.
Susie Perra
December 4, 2002
Dear Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, please get in touch with either Mark or I after life has settled abit and we would like to spend time with Chris, Megan and the boys. You are and have always been in our thoughts and I apologize for not making more time to be with you. Life is a gift and we should cherish those people that God graced us with. E-mail me or call us at 952-929-3955. Our love to you all and may God bring you comfort and love to help you through these trying times.
Susie and family
Barb Warnest
December 2, 2002
My sweet Cal. Even though we didn't know each other long, it is just as you said, it feels like we have known each other a lot longer. You made me smile again, you brought the music back into my life and my love will forever be yours. I know you're up there jamming with Lennon and I am so glad you can finally play those tricky triplets :-) Now you are MY angel. I miss you so much, and am no longer complete. I will miss your beautiful smile, that wonderful laugh, your gentle words, and so much more. My heart goes out to Brandon and Cory and the rest of your family.
Love you always, Barb
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