Also known as Toni with an i. He’s my dad‘s kid brother. Growing up, my uncle Toni and his family had the life I thought I wanted. They lived in the area of town poised on the edge of rich neighborhoods. Crescent Beach was the spot to hang out. they had a trampoline and a pool table in the room with the jukebox and eventually even a hot tub. Whenever we visited there we cousins were allowed to stay up late and do dangerous things; Lawn darts, dish soap bubbles on the trampoline, hit up the parents for money when they have had just enough to drink. They were the ultimate 70s family, really, straight out of that 70s show the living room that you couldn’t sit in, the family room with the big box TV , they had freedom to roam until the street lights came on. One thing about my Dad and his siblings, there was so much energy! I couldn’t wait to go there. I wanted to live there and once we got there I was glad when my parents drank too much so we had to stay the night. Of course they always told us they were staying just so us kids could have a sleep over together.
Uncle T had fun toys too, a boat and The Judge, I believe it was a 69 bright orange GTO. He also owned and ran Crescent Heights service, a Shell station that smelled like oil and tools and had a pop machine with the real glass bottles in it and German shepherd guard dogs. Eventually it even became ye olde pop shoppe with the cool stubby bottles full of every flavour you can imagine in a case.
Of course I was too young and silly to realize that I was living the dream of other people, growing up on a houseboat with boats to play in, water to frolic in and a Fraser River community that I am always going to be grateful for.
Uncle T was a terrible practical joker and he scared the crap out of us kids in a big fur coat with an air horn, coming down to shock us when we are playing in their basement. One time I hurt my thumb and came in crying and he stomped on my foot and said I bet your thumb doesn’t hurt anymore. I was very clearly not amused however it has stuck with me all these years and I must’ve been all of 10 at the time when it happened. Sometimes your family characters are bigger than the life you got to lead or you don’t stop to notice the influence they’ve had on you. I think if people had all known my dad, Gene, his brother, Toni, his sister, Trish and the parents that raised them, Ernie and Juanita, they may understand a little bit better who I have turned out to be. The good and the bad. You have to be strong to be a Bellavance
These memories are washing over me today because I was at my desk late when my phone rang and I could see it was my brother calling and I was afraid to answer. We semi joked later when I said it was indicative of how seldom we talk to each other when I was afraid to answer his call. Before I pushed answer, it ran through my head who he may be calling about and I was afraid. It turns out my uncle T isn’t long for this world. There’s been a great deal of unkindness dealt out to him in the last few years especially, that makes my heart break. I only wish my auntie Dee had lived out her life to be here with him now. She would’ve looked after him and he would be with us longer. I know the call wasn’t to say he had died but it likely won’t be long and I’m so sorry for my cousins Joe Tammy and Kim, my first best friends, and his sister Trish. She is stuck on the wrong side of the border. I hope she finds out that this is a reason that would let her come across it. on the other hand, we don’t know if he would survive the 14 days she would need to be in quarantine. So tonight, in many ways I feel like I’ve already said my goodbyes. my heart is trying to find a place to settle In and remember the good times Of boats and hockey rinks and summertime backyards, camping and road trips. I love you uncle Toni, thanks for the love.
triumphgal 