a warm and wonderful man

I have a few memories of Jon Lien although I didn’t know him well; my husband and older daughter knew him much better than I did. But he was so nice in 1991 when he asked me to do some research for the Fisherman’s Calendar. He and Larry Jackson and Marilyn Koop and I had some meetings and I remember well what joie de vivre Jon possessed, and a marvellous sense of humour!! Shortly after I became involved I had to drop my work because of illness in my family in NB, and I phoned to tell him how I regretted letting him down. He was very understanding. We met a few tother imes, once at the farm when our daughter Caroline took us out to see it. What an enterprise that is! Catherine Hood gave me many insights into this incredible man, whom she liked and admired so much as her Ph.D. supervisor. John and I saw Jon at CBC some years ago (following his accident) and he had baked dozens of cookies to pass out to the protesters who were angry at CBC cutbacks. I read about his work freeing whales in the news over many years and was so grateful to him. I know many people were terribly sad that his health deteriorated so severely, but he certainly accomplished many times more than anyone else I can think of who has lived the same number of years. I’ve been looking for news of a memorial service but haven’t seen anything yet so if one is planned I hope that we’ll see the notice and can attend to tell Judy and the children in person. Jon helped not just people but every living thing he came into contact with–one can’t compare him to anyone else. He is greatly missed, and will always be missed.

This post was submitted by Judy Gibson.