For Marcus

Marcus Roesner and I met when he started library school. It was at the beginning of my second year.     I was leading tours around the library school for incoming students, and he was in my group. We became friends almost immediately, and during the little spare time we had, we hung out a lot. The first time he came over to my apartment, he told me he didn’t get subtlety and I should tell him to leave whenever I got tired of him, which I thought was hilarious but refreshing. 

He helped me get through a tough year:  my final year of library school and  the aftermath of a painful divorce.  One of his techniques was to be silly, and to encourage me to be, as well.  I have memories of walking through West Edmonton Mall determining whether guys were on my “team” or his.

After I moved away from Edmonton, Marcus came to visit me everywhere I lived, Prince Albert, Boston, and several times in California. 

I remember (more silliness) him persuading me to take a Duck Tour in Boston, on those amphibious vehicles that drive through the city and then into the water.  He talked the tour guide into letting me drive the boat in the Charles River.

The second time he visited me in California, I was married.  My new family thought he was fantastic, especially my stepdaughter.  He’d changed; he was a lot more serious than he used to be.  I think he was regretting his move to Toronto, but didn’t want to actually say it.

In the past couple of years, he distanced himself.  I don’t know if it’s because I was so happy and he didn’t want to bring me down, or some other reason.  I thought he’d contact me when he was ready.  I’m sorry I didn’t try harder. 

On 12 April 2012, Marcus took his own life. There is a memorial for him today.  I can't be there, but I requested that the above tribute be read.