SURVIVED BY
Mother: Wendy
Father:
Maurice
Brothers: Jeffery, Thomas and Dean
Sisters: Heather and
Jocylne
Grandfathers: George Bird, George Redknap
Numerous
aunts, uncles and cousins
PREDECEASED BY-.
Grandmothers:
Emily Bird
Eva Redknap
Auntie: Irene Ryan
I am not quite sure how to start this, I am not quite sure what to say. But this page is dedicated to my friend Todd Redknap, I just found out that he died today, I am just trying to remember him.
- Nathan Wainwright, July 1998
How I found out was I phoned up to Todd's place. I had noticed that I had not heard from him for a month or so. And I wanted to see how he was doing so I called, no one on his line picked up. I did not think much of it, he could be upstairs, or sleeping, or just whatever. I phoned up to his parents line, upstairs to leave a message for him. His aunt picked up, I said that I wanted to see if Todd was there. The first thing she asked if I was a friend, I said "yes", the next thing hit me like nothing else. "Todd passed away", she said,"He got real sick a bit ago". She said he had gotten pneumonia, had it for about 15 days, and then I guess there was nothing the doctors could do. He died, I could not believe this had happened. I still can't, and I don't think I ever will get used to this. Todd was a good friend, someone to count on for good times. And now he is gone... I'll miss him allot.
I met Todd a while back, I think during the summer of my grade 7 year, I am not sure. It was at a summer camp, week long deal at Camp McInnis. We were sort of friends then not much, we talked and got to know each other a bit. I can't really remember much from then, so I can not really say anything about it. But I know that me and him were friends then too.
While after that, maybe a year or two, I went to another camp, Rediscovery, a Metis camp. Anyways, I saw one person there that I sortof recognized, that was Todd. After a bit me and him started talking, and from that point on me and him were friends. Me and him became friends at that camp, we got each others phone numbers, and kept in touch by phone and through BBS's. I never really saw much of the guy, except at the next Rediscovery Camp I went to, and then after that just when we lent things to each other.
Me and him became good friends, he once said to me that he trusted me, I know that I was not the only person he trusted. Now that I think about it that to me meant allot to me. He was a good guy, a trusted friend, and someone who was original in allot of ways. Me and him had some things, in common, and something's we did not. But hey, it was fun while it lasted, and I am going to remember him for a long time.
Not much else I can say about Todd, he was a good guy. I remember all the times, when he would call up. He would usually say some rude names, and I would return the favor. Then we would talk, catch up, and usually I would get him to find software for me, or ask about technology. I am going to miss that, the laughs we had, and the fun too, and all the times we tried to get Duke Nukem setup on modem, the files we tried (and failed ;P), and all the insults passed on all the BBS's we logged onto. God... I am going to miss that Stuff, I am going to miss all of the fun, but Todd if your reading this (I know that you are man;)) you were a good friend, a great pal, and someone who was/is/and always will be cool. And to all else you read this page, sorry to sound like I am whining, or copying others ideas of remembering people. But this is my way of telling Todd he is missed, and telling others about one of my more interesting friends. I may or may not add anything else to this, maybe stories I remember, or pictures that i get. But to all who will read, have read, or want to. Believe me this was a good friend.
The other thing that has happened, is Todd's mom came to my house one day. Just a bit ago(today is July 12, 1998). She wanted to see how I was handling things, it was weird meeting her. I had never been to Todd's house, or seen any of his family (except for maybe a second). We talked about Todd, and about getting this webpage done up. She has also given me the ulegy that was used at Todd's funeral, plus some pictures. These will be going up during this day. Also there will be a poem, and some words written by someone that also knew Todd well.
This next part is a Internet reprint of the ulegy.
Todd Maurice Redknap was born to Wendy and Maurice on November 27,
1980. He was to be the first of three children. As with most first
born, Todd was showered with much love and attention and he showed
early on the sensitive and caring nature everyone came to love. Todd
showed us his eagerness and willingness, when at age 10, he got a job
delivering newspapers so he could buy his first computer. For someone
so young, Todd had a great deal of respect and generosity towards
others as was evident in Grade 6 on Valentine's Day; he bought a rose
for every girl in his class, including the teacher.
Todd spent
a fair amount of time with various members of our large family and
among the many lessons, Todd learned how to clean, prepare and can
salmon. Even with his great love of computers, Todd still managed to
make time for others such as brother Jeffery, sister Heather and his
mother and father. Todd was extremely smart and full of ideas when it
came to computers and the techno jargon involved. Yet, he was still
willing to learn, as was evident when he started classes at the
Shelly Reserve which eventually led to him working for the band in
the GIS department.
Todd was a young man whose interests not
only encompassed those of our technological world, but also those of
his Native Heritage and the spirituality involved. His dreams were
not grand, they were simple, a cabin out in the back- woods with the
latest in computer hardware and technology. In many ways, Todd
astounded those around him with his wisdom and his ability to put
into a few words what many of us couldn't.
Todd's passing has
left a void which will never be filled, but over time will lessen.
The memories left behind will be cherished always by all he touched.
TODD MAURICE REDKNAP
November 27, 1980 - June 25,
1998
RUNES
OF COMFORT
FOR THE BEREAVED
I am the Life and the Light and
the way -
The earth is my Garden,
Each of the soul I plant as
seeds
Germinates and flowers in its season,
And in each I am fulfilled.
There is no cause for grief
when a blossom fades
But only rejoicing for the beauty it held
And praise that my will is done
and my Plan served.
I am one with all creatures
And none is ever lost
But only restored to me,
Having never left me at all.
For what is Eternal
Cannot be separated from its source.
I am with you all,
And each of you is a channel for My Light.
Feel My Love
Enfold you now and evermore.
TODD MAURICE REDKNAP - as Maureen knew him
April 30, 1992 I met Todd for the first time - he was 11 years old. I was
blessed to be with him the morning of the day he died June 25, 1998 -
he was 17 years old. Todd was a very special young man and an
individual I will never forget for as long as I breathe. He carried a
passion with him for everything that grabbed his interest - sometimes
passion landed him in trouble when others didn't understand - for
example, when he freaked people out by talking about guns, and bombs.
He was blessed with a powerful intelligence and a wonderful sense of
humor - I will smile every time I remember how he would tell a story
about something and almost have me convinced of it's truth - then he
would laugh and say "just kidding".
When I first met
Todd he said he was Italian - he said he hated being native and he
wanted to do anything to make sure people didn't know. At 11 years of
age he knew too much about racism and it had already cut him deep. By
the time of his death Todd was proud of his native heritage and
deeply involved in its spirituality - his mom, his family, the START
program, the Native Friendship Centre, and the Shelly band all seemed
to have a hand - but a lot came from his mom Wendy who never gave up
helping him find his pride. So when I first met Todd he liked to
avoid being with his mom and then a few years later they were talking
about the events they attended together and planning on a cleansing
ceremony together with their home.
Todd lived a lot in his
head and in his computer - "idea time" was really important
to him and he loved solitude and he loved nature. The woods and his
computer were his sanctuary when things got tough and because Todd
was such a unique human being, he was often not able to "fit in"
so times did get tough. The big tough exterior hid such softness and
caring and he tried so hard to fit in and be welcomed - by the time
he died he had learned a lot about how he had to be himself and
accept and love himself and others were not important if they
couldn't value him. I often felt he was a lot like his dad, Maurice,
who also seemed to try and hide softness and caring behind a tough
exterior.
Todd also built the big tough exterior and big tough
words and actions to keep himself safe - Wendy knew that too and she
also worked very hard to keep him safe. Sometimes, like with all
kids, he did not appreciate her ways but he always knew he could
count on her - one time he talked about how come he spent so much
money on xmas presents to give girls and he said he put his dollars
there to try and get their attention and he didn't need to worry
about that with his family cause they would always be there. And they
always were and despite many opportunities to take off on his own,
Todd always chose to stay close to them.
Todd had
determination and he went after things he wanted - like flagging down
the Citizen driver to get a job delivering papers. He had tons of
entrepreneurial ideas and who knows where they would have taken him
in time. I would not have been surprised if Todd had become a famous
inventor or writer had he lived - he had so much talent and he had
the ability to stay off the beaten path and go down new and unique
paths.
Todd had a strong sense of justice for himself and for
others - he was really sensitive to picking out unfairness and
pointing it out to people. Sometimes those people who had been
somewhat unjust did not like his information but nonetheless it spoke
volumes for his willingness to stand up and say when something was
not right. He also had a wonderful use of words and often talked in
metaphor - I remember one time when he asked me to deliver a message
to the school and he asked for "the leg irons" to be taken
off. He was able to be clear on what needed to be done. Todd was
always someone ready to help others - he sometimes had a hard time
accepting help for himself. He also sometimes had trouble seeing when
something was helpful. Todd seemed sort of stuck between childhood
and adulthood sometimes and seemed to really want his parents to take
care of him like a child and give him the responsibility of an adult
- in others words he was a typical teenager at times too. Todd loved
it when he was given the freedom to make his own decisions and he
also loved praise - you got to see his wonderful smile and the
sometimes wacky sense of humor. One day in 1997 stands out for me and
that was the day Todd showed me the posture that allowed him to feel
like a rock and he was able to realize with his mom how powerful he
could feel if he began to walk and hold himself in a prideful way. He
started to grab that posture as his own! Todd also had a great deal
of flexibility and a willingness to adapt himself. He liked having
new images of himself and I smile as I remember the black phase and
then the tough guy phase with the Mohawk and the fingerless gloves
with the metal spikes and then the grubby phase when he decided not
to wash his body, his hair or his clothes. We had the vest and that
was Todd no matter what his choice of attire. Then he came in having
decided to change his image and become more sophisticated looking
(but definitely didn't want the yuppie look!). He figured my ideas
weren't that good (I'm sure he was right!) but he was going to get
Dan to take him shopping. Todd always had well thought out reasons
for his choices and he rarely acted impulsively.
I will miss
those days when he would pop in to my work and just catch me up -
tell a few stories - share a cigarette with other staff and then head
out again. I had a belief that Todd would succeed and while I know he
will succeed wherever he is - I also feel cheated that I won't be
there to witness or hear about it.
Todd was courage, strength,
humor and uniqueness - he was Todd.
On a final note from me, I would like to say. Reading all these
things, it let me see the side of Todd that I never did. I aggree
with all the people that have said this, Todd was a great person, and
will be missed very much.
- Nathan Wainwright
