Kyle Plamondon died this month. He was someone I went to school with in university for 3 of the 4 years I was there, and I saw him in and around Saskatoon for several years after. He was only 39 when he died, and he died of a heart condition (which I knew about), not unlike another friend of mine who I had to see put to rest while I was still doing my bachelor's degree (who I didn't know had a heart condition, and died on the bus leaving the university, of all things...).
Kyle was a funny, loving guy with a big heart and a deep voice. You always knew if you had anything to say to Kyle, he would have something funny to say back to you, and with a big smile and chuckle. He liked hockey, and I think other sports, but unsurprisingly, we didn't talk a lot about sports. (I tried my best to pariticipate in that kind of conversation politely, but he was really into it, so that was ot of my league.)
He was a military man, who, if not for his heart condition (and inability to manage zero gravity) he would have been a fighter pilot. Military life was a good change for him. He went from jolly and plump to a fit, focused young man. It was a side I didn't see of him normally in my day-to-day interactions with him. His military career was cut short by health reasons, and he went on to study to be a pharmacist. (He was nothing if not driven, in a quiet, no-nonsense kind of way.)
The way we connected most days, was through the Newman Centre, which I was involved in for my entire university career. We went on retreats, held ecumenical suppers, and just generally hung out. I remember just having him around, along with Marianne, Dean, and a few other long-time stay-ons that were constantly running all the events and showing up to most meetings for council. A lot of sofa time was had just chilling out and chatting. They were happy times with good people.
I remember Kyle worked part-time for St. Thomas More College, working shifts doing chapel work, and helping out the priests around the college. I never asked him in a deep and serious way, but I was always impressed with his commitment to the Church, and to his spiritual values. I felt like he had a strong relationship with God, and that it was a grounding place for him in his life. And I think it shone through into his personal life, and personal work. If anyone had God shining through him, it was this happy, smiling guy.
Kyle, I know you are in heaven, smiling down on your family, your sons and your wife that are grieving your loss. I feel lucky to have met you...we were not best friends, but we were part of a larger circle of something where we met in odd moments that meant we got to be friends for a time. Thank you for enriching the time in my life, in small ways that are hard for me to recall. You deserved longer on this earth, if for no other reason than you brought joy to everyone around you. I say a little prayer for you, mon ami.
