Sunday, October 12, 2014
Today is a very sad day for me. A good friend, a co-worker and a great paramedic died today from cancer. Dean Lynden and I first met in the 1970's. He was with Hallowell Ambulance, a private company, and I was with the Metropolitan Toronto Department of Emergengy Services. In 1975 all ambulance services in Toronto amalgamated into one service, the Deapartment of Ambulance Services. Dean and I were now co-workers. Later, when paramedicine was in it's earliest infancy the Department wanted 12 special individuals to spearhead the project. To select the 12 they prepared a written test. This test was specifically designed to prevent anyone who did not have the emergency medicine course through a Community College from passing and being selected. Well, Dean and I both passed the test with flying colours. Neither one of us had taken the College course. We became part of the first 12. We worked together, learned together and laughed together. Dean was always a special person, Ambulance Officer, Paramedic and Friend. He was kind, caring, honest and fullof fun. He gave all of himself to his patients showing the utmost of empathy and gentleness. He did the same with his friends. I last saw Dean three years ago at a friends home in Peterborough. Five of us from the Ambulance Service got together. Dean, as usual, was full of fun. I will miss you Dean. You meant alot to me even though we did not see much of each other in these last years. I valued our friendship, your kindness, your laughter and your gentleness. Rest in the arms of the Angels now, your work here on earth is done, and you have done the work extremely well. Be at Peace my friend. Don
