It was with a great sense of loss when I heard of Albert Diamond passing on. Albert was more than just a wonderful person; he was always so kind and considerate to all that we always welcomed seeing him at every opportunity.

His passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but in the hearts of all those who knew him.

At a time like this, we are at a loss for words to express our deepest feelings to someone who has lost a loved one. How to say it to bring comfort? How to say that we care? How to say that we understand?

With Albert, it will be the little things that you will remember, the quiet moments, the glint in his eyes, the smiles and the laughter. Albert was a joyous man who loved and embraced life to the fullest.

And although it may seem hard right now, it will be the memories of these little things

that help to push away the pain and bring the smiles back again.

As an unknown author once said, “Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.”

Albert was like that. I remember meeting him in the most unusual places when I least expected it.

One time I had flown out to British Columbia to attend an Annual General Assembly of the Native Friendship Centres. Lo and behold, there was Albert. I found out he was the president of the Val-d’Or Friendship Centre at the time. I berated myself that as a journalist I had to travel so far to find that out.

But that was Albert, always helping out where he could and never asking for any recognition or bragging about his achievements.

Albert always stayed a “Joe six-pack” kind of guy, the down-to-earth person willing to talk to anyone as an equal.

He never let his position as president of Air Creebec give him an inflated sense of self-worth, but rather he brought worth to the position.

He was a Cree who never lost his way of life. It was apparent in all his actions and in his many friendships.

Someone so special…can never be forgotten.

American writer Leo Buscaglia once wrote, “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”

I thank Albert for enriching my life. May all our hearts and souls find peace and comfort as his will.