It is people like Bob D’Aloisio who make the adjective “greater” appropriate to describe the City of Sudbury. He has been my dentist and friend for the past 58 years.
On Wednesday, Sept. 6, I was to go to his office for my annual checkup. The checkup wasn’t just about my teeth, but about community, politics, current events, history, family and friendship. The checkup never happened because Bob was killed on Monday, while cycling on Paris Street. He as an avid cyclist, both street and trail, as well as a keen roller-blade enthusiast. I read in one of the blogs on Sudbury.com that someone foolishly asked what was an 85 year old man doing cycling? He was doing what he loved to do — living life to the fullest.
I often said even into my 60s, I wanted to be just like Bob when I grew up. He lived life with passion and purpose. I’m not sure he ever really grew up. His “greatness” was, he embraced life with a thinking head, working hands and believing heart.
He was a great dentist. At age six, when I was hit by a baseball bat at recess, Bob saved the chipped and cracked tooth (I still have it today). The last cavity I had was at age 18. The fillings are still intact after 45 years of considerable chewing. Bob was using fluoride before Crest knew to put it into toothpaste. His disclaimer about the possible side effects of removing my wisdom teeth was more painful than the extraction. He was always attending dental conferences and seminars to be up to date regarding new ideas and issues. Bob D’Aloisio was never 85 on his bike or in his office. He was current, enthusiastic and inquisitive.
He was a great friend. At his funeral visitation and mass, several hundred people gathered to remember him and support his family. All had a Bob story, which was generously shared with loving smiles and tears.
Beyond the dentist chair, my friendship with Bob included supporting Jim Gordon's riding association, reminiscing about the West End, property management as in how to rewind small motor engines and how to make a difference when you get out of bed each morning. Such was the case and kindness to my family, in particular, to my father.
During the last years of my dad’s life, he was bed ridden and confined to his house on Eyre Street. As is often the case, many people forget you and you spend many hours and days alone except for family members. Bob learned of dad’s bed-ridden residence. He came monthly to visit him. He came usually at 10 p.m. by bike or roller blades from his home in Lo-Ellen. Dad and Bob would visit about the good old days in the West End until midnight.
Bob would then bike or skate back to his house. He gave my father the gift of conversation and friendship during a time when many others had forgotten dad or were too busy to give him the gift of their time. It meant so much to my father and our family.
Yes, Robert “Bob” D’Aloisio is (not was) a great person because he led by example and continues to provide that example to all of us. At the end of his funeral liturgy. his son-in-law explained when the family went through his wallet after the accident they found a folded paper he carried daily. The contents of the paper had been inspired years before by Bob’s granddaughter. He had written on the paper these thoughts...
- With everything that has happened to you, you can feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.
- Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
- Work for a cause not applause.
- Live life to express not to impress.
- Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.
- Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
- Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
With your encouragement, Bob we will dance in the storm of your death, celebrating your greatness.
Gerry Lougheed Jr. was a lifelong patient and friend to Dr. Bob D'Aloisio.
