Remembering Colin

Colin Bryce Fisch was born on Mothers Day, May 11, 1970 in Wakaw Saskatchewan .  He was a new brother for Kirby and Brian. 

 At that time Bill and Marlene and their family moved quite often with Bill’s job at the bank.  They moved from Wakaw to Eastend in 1972 and subsequently to Moosomin in 1979, where he graduated from high school in 1988. 

   While in Eastend, we had a small river at the back of our yard, and this is where Colin acquired his love and interest in fishing.  Many hours were spent with Colin fishing from the riverbank.  He never brought home any great trophy fish, but he loved his fishing and still does.  

The youngest of 3 boys, Colin always seemed to be on the short end of any accident.  We lived one block from the hospital, and whenever he was injured while playing, he would go straight over to the hospital himself, get stitched up, and the staff would then call us and say that Colin had been over and we had some papers to sign.  But he always survived and seemed stronger for it all.

 Colin was always a loving and caring person, even from his early days.  His sister Karen was his little girl right from the start.  Oh, yes, as they grew older, they had their many differences and arguments, but he always loved her.  But his sensitivity and caring always shined through when it came to family concerns, Debbie, Jenna, and even his cats who where his babies for many years.

 Having 2 older brothers who he admired and looked up to, was challenging for Colin.  He never could seem to keep up with them.  This is probably where he acquired his fast pace and “gotta get things done” attitude.

When Colin moved with his parents and siblings from Eastend to Moosomin, he left a good friend, Brucie, behind.  But in Moosomin he found an even closer friend and buddy and basically a new brother, James.  Now James and Colin were full of shenanigans and some almost did them in, like the night they crashed into a house at Tantallon.  James’s dad referred to them as young bucks.  They were there for each other through graduation, standing for each other’s wedding and we know Colin just needed to call James and he would have driven through anything to go to him.

And Colin, like his brothers and sister, loved their grandparents with an easy, unreserved love.  They shared in the concern and care of a gravely ill grandpa and thereafter, that concern and caring continued for grandma.  Colin felt confident in sharing his feelings and problems will his grandma, whom he loved and respected, and looked for her guidance.  He visited her often, taking Debbie and Jenna with him.

 Bill and Marlene always included the family in their vacations, which were usually summer camping vacations.  This camping “bug” must have been passed down in the genes because he loved to camp and wanted to get a motor home so badly.  In 2002 this dream was realized when he bought his family a small used motor home.  He spent the winter fixing it up and preparing it for a summer of camping, and thankfully was able to use it once before he left us.  Through this time he became affectionately known as “Little Bill” in honour of the love of his camper that he shared with his dad.

 As the children grew older, our summer vacations turned to Winter vacations, and Colin Acquired the love for downhill skiing in the mountains around Banff.  His brother Brian lived in Calgary for many years, and Colin made several trips with his friends from the jail to take in some mountain skiing.  When Colin was in the mountains Brian saw a childlike nature to Colin.  He loved the outdoors, the fresh air, the open spaces, and was in awe of the size of the mountains. 

 When Colin graduated from High School, he did not know what his direction in life was going to be.  He pumped gas in Moosomin for about a year until he finally decided on taking an 18 month course in Corrections Work in Prince Albert .  By this time he had settled on this as what he really wanted to do, and before he was finished his program he had landed a position at the Brandon Correctional Centre. This was a perfect situation for Colin as he could settle in and be near his family.

 Once in Brandon , he then really started his life.  With his oldest brother already in Brandon , he started setting his objectives and goals for the future.  When Colin made up his mind on an objective or goal, he never quit until it was reached.  The road was often tough, and he didn’t always take the easy route, but he was determined to succeed.  This was seen in his drive to get his wife, his house, his baby and his motor home.  

Colin first met Debbie in October of 1995.   They were married on August 11, 2001 , and the Fisch family gained another daughter and the Heape family gained a son.  This was Colin’s new direction in life, and he loved Debbie very much, and she was instantly part of our family, as much as Colin was a part of Debbie’s.  Debbie had her own house at this time, but they fell in love with the Green Acres area, where Kirby and Joanne were living.  Colin wanted a house near Kirby and Joanne, so he knocking on doors up and down the street to find his house.  Within 2 weeks he had a house across the street from Kirby.  It needed work inside and out, and both Colin and Debbie poured their hearts into their new home on a street we’ve all come to know as “FISCHWOOD crescent” instead of Fernwood. 

   We had no idea of how good a carpenter and builder Colin was, and we were soon to be amazed at the kind of craftsmanship that Colin possessed.  Of course it didn’t stop at renovations inside the house, Colin had to have the nicest yard and lawn on the block.  He was meticulous in his work.

 With their home now complete, there was only one thing missing from the house…..a baby.   Jenna was born on July 10, 2002 .  All parents are proud of their first born child, but to Colin it was much more than that.  Colin had wanted to be a father for many years, and when Jenna blessed his and Debbie’s life, yet another of Colin’s dreams was fulfilled.  There was no other baby like her.  Jenna became Colin’s life.  On the day she was born, he not only bought Debbie flowers, but he also bought flowers for Jenna.  And who buys their new baby $50 runners the day she is born???   I think he wanted to put them on her and expected her to run with him right away.

 Colin was always very careful about his physical health and fitness.  From high school he would be in our basement lifting weights, to later years when he would run, bike, and workout.  He loved activities like fishing, skiing and mountain biking.  And some of Brian’s favourite memories with Colin include skiing with him in the mountains.  Shortly after Brian moved to Brandon and was still unemployed, Colin dragged him to the Keystone centre to run stairs.  Actually Colin ran the stairs as Brian lumbered along behind him, being lapped by Colin over and over and over again.  It’s hard to believe that Colin struggled so much for breath as a child due to his asthma.  Colin just had the drive to prove people wrong when he was confronted with anything that said “you can’t”.  He would put his head down and do it better than anyone could ever expect.

 Now, as if having a new wife and home was not enough, Debbie took over the “Bon Appetite” home business at craft sales.  And of course, Colin was involved in this business to the highest level; mixing spices, stapling bags, setting up, tearing down, and so much more.  They both worked extremely hard at this side business, and they carried on even while expecting Jenna, and after she was born.  If there was a challenge, Colin would just overcome it and carry on.

 Colin’s love for children came early as he enjoyed many hours taking care of Karen when she was a baby.  Mom always said that Colin was like a “mother hen” when Karen was around.  This was an early indication of what he would be like with Kyle and Karina.  He became a big kid when they were around, and they loved him.  And then with Katie, Carter, and Grayson his collection of children grew and grew and grew, and he thrived as “Uncle Colin”.   This love overflowed with Jenna.  The biggest smiles any of us ever saw was when he was playing with his daughter, or even just talking about her.  You could see where his energy in life was coming from.

 In all the serious times in Colin’s life, he always found time to be a practical joker, both at work and at home.  He loved to have fun and enjoy himself, and to share this with others.  Whether he was calling Sherri as the “Green Acres Christmas Light Association” to question why she only had one string of lights on her house, or numerous numerous other times.  Those who were on the receiving end of these jokes and pranks know all about his sense of humour.  There are just too many pranks to talk about.

 It’s simply too difficult to condense Colin’s short life into a few minutes and a few words.  He lived a full life and touched so many people in such a short time.  He had an unending love and caring for family, co-workers, friends, and everyone who ever came in contact with him.  He has left a big space in his family, and that space will never be filled.  We will miss him very much.  And as a last note, Mom and Dad will miss your “no reason” phone calls, when you call just to talk.

Colin, we’re all waiting for your call.