I’m ‘Momma’ to one of Mort’s wonderful grandchildren, Mitchell.  We asked Mort once how to correctly pronounce our name, Paterson with one‘t’, and he relayed a wonderful story (in true Mort Paterson story telling fashion) about a time when he had asked the same question.  Our name is pronounced Pat r son. (he said, with a Scottish accent)  

Mort’s stories were always captivating … whenever he started one; you knew you were in for a tale that would hold your attention for a long while.  His stories were about people… the people of his life… and every one was special … their stories were special because Mort saw everyone that way – special and unique and always entitled to a special story and place in his heart.

My son Mitchell, like all of his grandchildren, had a special connection with his Grandpa Mort.  His was unique because of their names – both of them GMP’s.  George being their first name, but, known by their middle ‘M’ name… Mort was the 2nd… Mitchell is the 4th in the GMP tradition.

When Mitchell was born, early in the morning by C-section 21 years ago, Mort was patiently waiting in our room; he was the first visitor Mitchell had.  Mort beamed when he met little Mitchell… and he beamed the same way each time Mitchell visited him and told his stories about where life was taking him in University and with his competitions in track and field.  Mort always let Mitchell know he was more than proud and in awe of his every effort.

During Mitchell’s last visit at Christmas he was able to share with Grandpa Mort that his program at University was sending him to China for three months to teach Math in one of their international schools.   Another special connection for them both as Mort had shared many cherished moments he and Liesbeth had experienced during their stay in China.

Mort once told me he would speak to God on my behalf. 

Years ago, I had a beloved young horse that I had taken to Guelph University with a twisted gut.  It’s very expensive to have surgery on a horse, so I had taken her there with a limited budget, to be put on painkillers and intravenous for two days and hoped that her gut would rectify itself in that time.  After two days there was no improvement and I extended my budget for one more night.  Mort called that night …. And saddened by my grief he said he would pray for my horse Farah.  The next morning when I called the University… they told me they couldn’t believe it …. There had been (and they used this word) ‘miraculous’ change in her condition … she was eating and pooping again and I could come and pick her up.

Mitchell and I will both sadly miss visiting his Grandpa Mort…hearing his stories, he was kind, soft spoken and always full of love, gratitude and appreciation for the connection we shared with him.  We are truly left with a void but I do believe Mort will be watching over Mitchell and he’ll continue cheering for him, on the track, and in life.

Cathy