I'm fundraising to recover personal and sentimental items belonging to my late father before it’s too late. 

My dad died of a stroke at 68. He was American, living in Texas at the time of his death. For over half a year, that news was withheld from me. For seven months I was hurt and confused, wondering why calls and texts went unanswered. Seven months when I didn’t know I should have been grieving. 

My signature is required to close my dad’s bank account, if he hadn’t added me as an emergency contact and next of kin, I may not have found out at all.  

He wasn’t a man of means and had no wealth to leave. That’s not what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for memories, the things he touched, the pieces of him that remain. I’ve attempted to recover these things several times and each time I’ve been met with dismissal, indifference and hostility from his spouse, who has never been happy about the bond me and my dad had. I’ve since learned that I was omitted altogether  from court documentation relating to an estate with no will. 

What I’m trying to save are his creations, writing, art, and journals. And what probably means the most to me, an old book called “Vicious Circles and Infinity: A Panoply of Paradoxes.” It was our book. It represents so many years with him. Our connection and bond. 

That book, isn’t just a torn dust jacket, creased yellow pages and faded ink to me. It was a huge part of our lives since I was little. I asked if I could have it so many times and he’d always say with a laugh, “If I give it to you now, what will I leave you when I die?” That book IS my inheritance. I need your help to get it back. 

The motorcycle he wanted me to have since I was young, has already been sold. I’ve lost that. His belongings have been boxed up and put aside. I don’t know how much time I have before everything is gone.

The money I’m raising secures an attorney for legal representation in Texas. Living in another country means I need the representation to make this possible.

I didn’t get a funeral and his ashes were scattered before I could even ask for them. He wanted his final resting place to be in Winter Harbour on Vancouver Island, which is only a few hours north of where I live. He lived in Canada for 23 years and fell in love with the island. He wanted to rest in his favourite place. I want to honour his wishes. I want to bring him back to the home he missed so much. 

Not long ago, a fire in my building caused significant smoke damage to my unit, and I lost most of my sentimental possessions and photos. All I have left of him is a few drawings, a wooden toy car he made, and a few pictures saved on my phone from the last time I saw him in 2019, a visit we’d already waited 14 years to have. 

I consulted multiple attorneys and kept hearing that what I’m fighting for is “valueless.”

Finally, someone appreciated how priceless these things are. He agreed to represent me, offered a significantly reduced retainer fee and agreed to see this through even if it exceeds that amount. He is a shining example of what the kindness of strangers can do. He has given hope and offers the best chance I have to keep my dad with me. 

Every dollar earned will be used to cover the $3000 retainer, transfer and filing fees, demand letter and any other court fees incurred to get this in front of a judge who can order my dad’s things be returned to me.

I’m currently on short term disability and have no family resources to begin this process. I can’t do this on my own. If you can spare even a loonie, it will get me started. There’s no amount too small and every donation means the world to me. Many of my dad’s things are already gone, I’m running out of time to save what’s left. 

Even if you can only share this page, it helps get me closer to my goal.

Most see clutter and a dusty old book. I see the moments I shared with my dad. I can’t stop fighting to get it back.