Condolence: To the D'Archi Family,

I had the pleasure of teaching Josh at St. James CHS. My heart and my sympathy goes to all of you at this very difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nancy Sanvido

Condolence: It has been many years playing hockey with Josh and "big" Mike and I have gotten to know Josh to be a great kid on and off the ice. Thursday night hockey will never be the same , I will truly miss the humorous joking by Josh on and off the ice . I cannot begin to imagine the grief the D'Archi family is going through at this time. I know Josh has touched many lives and his memory will live in many of us.

Condolence: I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to the entire darchi family.

Condolence: I wish to send love and prayers in the loss of your son Josh. He was way too young to go so soon.

Condolence: Our sincerest condolences on your family's loss.

Condolence: It was a pleasure having Josh in the Blacksmith shop at Fleming college, I recall most his stubbornness and his big smile when I'd tell him that whatever he wanted to try was probably a bad idea. He was curious and eager to learn about new things even if it was a little bit crazy, which is a great quality to have in metalwork. It keeps things interesting and the maker interested in continuing and trying new things.
Josh stood out from the rest, I wish I could say that everyone who comes through the shop doors is as enthusiastic as he was, he will be missed.

As a Buddhist I tend not to follow the crowd and feel what others might feel regarding tragedy so please do not misunderstand my intention, I do not mean to belittle or take any meaning away from the grief you are inevitably feeling with the below story from one of my favourite Buddhist Monks.

"My own father died when I was only 16. I loved him very much and still do. Yet I never cried at his funeral, nor have I cried since. I didn't feel like crying. It took me many years to understand how I felt at the time. Now I use that understanding as a guide on how to die, with joy. This is my understanding.

As a young man, I loved music. All types of music whether classical or rock, jazz or folk. I would spend many an evening in the concert halls and clubs of central London enjoying some of the best orchestras and bands, musicians and singers that our world had to offer. London was a great place to grow up if you liked music.

When the concert was to end, I would stand up with the others, clapping and shouting for more. Often, the orchestra or band would play on for a few minutes. But eventually they had to stop and I had to return home. As I remember walking out of the concert halls late in the evening, it always seemed to be raining in London, in that most miserable manner called "drizzle". It was cold, wet and gloomy, and I knew that I probably would never get to see that great orchestra again. Yet even in the miserable damp darkness of the night, I never felt sad. I never dropped into despair. Instead I was elated and inspired by the great music I had just had the privilege to hear. What a stirring crescendo, what a magnificent performance, what a wonderful experience! I was light years away from the gloom surrounding the London night.

That is the only way I can describe how I felt when my own father died. It was such a short recital, a mere sixteen years. I was clapping and cheering for more at the end. My dad kept playing a little while longer and, in truth, it was a marvellous crescendo to his life. As I walked out of the crematorium in Mortlake, West London, after his funeral service, I clearly remember that it was drizzling and very cold. Yet I never felt sad at all. I felt inspired, uplifted and deeply moved. "Dad, that was a wonderful performance. That was a tremendous concert that you played in front of your son. I will never forget those fugues and cadenzas and the deep feeling that you gave to your symphony. You were a maestro of life. How lucky I was to have been at your concert". I was inspired, not sad. I felt deep gratitude not grief. I felt I had witnessed one of the great lives of my era."
~Ajahn Brahm

My heart felt condolences,
With Metta,
Dan

Condolence: Dear Darlene, Michael and Becca, Your families warm and generous spirit was evident in Josh's smile everyday. He was such a kind hearted and loving person who will be deeply missed by those who knew him. You have our deepest sympathy. We will hold his memory close in our hearts.

Condolence: Our most sincere condolences to your family for your loss , I worked with Josh and he was an amazing young man and very kind hearted. We will miss him terribly at work each day and mostly our little jokes with each other. He will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Josh till we meet again.

Condolence: I had the pleasure of having Joshua live with me during his blacksmith course in Haliburton. He was the kindest young man who always asked if I needed help with anything around my home. He spoke with such love whenever we talked about his family. I will always hold a place in my heart for Josh.

Condolence: We cherish the memories of Josh and his smile, warmth and simple joy he brought to Norton Drive when you called our street home. Stephanie, Joshua, Neely and I offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences. Although we had not seen Josh in a few years, his memory will never be diminished.

Stephanie, Nolan, Neely and Joshua.