Obituary of Thomas Greer Courtenay

COURTENAY, Thomas was a novelist, poet, artist, cartoonist for the UAW, high school athlete, and father of four daughters. He had a beautiful life. He never complained about the tragedies in it. He worked at Chrysler Canada for 40 years. After retiring, he lived in a beautiful rustic home on the shore of Lake Erie near Point Pelee, where he swam and hiked daily until he couldn’t any longer. His daily hike was seven miles to the Point, where the water churned - along sandy shores, and over rocks and logs, but a regular routine for him. Eventually, he had to relocate to Amica Windsor, a retirement residence. It was a tough transition for a man so connected to the lakeshore. It became tougher, because after two years there, he had a fall and fractured a vertebra in his neck. He had earlier survived cancer, five heart attacks, an aorta implant, and artery bypass surgery in his legs. But one would have never known it. He never complained of those things. He stayed a handsome, seemingly robust man of great charm. The staff in hospitals and at Amica were very loving and supportive to him. He frequently read his poetry and sang. Sometimes he would imitate the Scots actor, Sean Connery, to the delight of all. Having conquered physical ills, the broken neck, and realizing the retirement residence was his unavoidable last home, he adjusted to life there. He forced himself to stop longing for home in Point Pelee. But suddenly one day, he developed shingles and the rare Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, which left him paralyzed on the left side of his body. Over the next two years, he endured starvation and dehydration because he couldn’t eat and could hardly drink. In his final months, he had to rely on personal care workers, nurses, and his beloved daughters, to assist with virtually all life activities, including getting clothes on in the morning. His youngest daughter Jill Nardone was the dedicated mainstay of his care for more than 10 years. Tom used to jump from the floor to desk tops at age 50 and 60. He ran up the stairs to a 12th floor apartment in his 50s, instead of using elevators. He told his brother Vincent that despite his circumstances, now having lost almost all independence, battling to ingest a few ounces of a nutritive drink, he was content. But by the end, having lost all physical strength, relying on the aid of others even to turn in his bed, he was concerned that he might lose his mental faculties, too. He chose to die fully cognizant, and he died peacefully and happily, with two of his daughters, his son-in-law Tony Nardone, his brother Vincent Courtenay, and his closest pal in the world, Brian MacRae, all around his bed. His first grandson Christian Hendershot had said goodbye to him the week before. He smiled and he hinted at a joke, and if he could, he probably would have sung to them, seconds before his eyes closed for the last time. Thomas Courtenay passed away on February 13, 2020 at the age of 89. He is survived by his brothers Kenneth and Vincent Courtenay, his daughters Katherine Courtenay, Pamela Courtenay-Hall, Marilyn Courtenay (Dominik Dlouhy), and Jill Nardone (Tony), and his beloved cat Titch. Beloved grandfather of Chris Hendershot, Kara Hendershot (Josh Methven), Matthew and Stefan Hall, Dominik, Alex (Robyn), and Chris Dlouhy, and Courtenay (Matt Sobocan) and Nadya Nardone. His great-grandson is to be born Friday Feb.14 to his granddaughter Kara Hendershot. Thomas and his family thank the wonderful care staff and dining room staff at Amica and all the doctors and care workers who have helped him for their dedicated care. If you desire, donations to Hospice of Windsor and Essex County would be greatly appreciated. Visiting at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Banwell Chapel) 11677 Tecumseh Road East, 519-253-7234 on Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Service at 3:00 p.m. Cremation to follow. Online condolences may be left at www.windsorchapel.com