The Maple Tree where once we played
Or read a book in its deep shade
Gave our family home a glow
Only those who love trees know
Our Dad loved all the growing things
Found Love of God in everything
A blade of grass, a sparrow's wings
The earth he planted every spring
Dad is up in Heaven now, maybe growing trees
Relaxing 'neath a Maple Tree sown in his Memory
And at his side a little Angel playing on a swing
Humming all the old old songs that only Angels sing
We miss our Dad, so very much, we miss him every day
But we try to think of him up where the Angels play
Try not to cry and be so sad
He loves us, and he's still our Dad
He's proud of us, his Family
He sees the growing family tree
Each new seed that we all plant
Means more than brother, uncle, aunt
They mean Dad lives, and will live on
In every daughter's baby son
In every tiny little girl
Whose fingers grasp and hold and curl
The tree of life that he began
Our Father was a special man
He still lives now, in you and me
And in his Memory Maple Tree
We Miss You Dad
Bill and Anne Bateman
Bruce, Jean, Bill, Anne, Norval and Shannon Bateman {Bruce's Wife}
Bruce at the Maple Tree Planting
Anne Bateman, Christopher Burton, Bill Bateman, Cathy Burton
Bill, Anne and Frances Bateman-Powell
The Canadian Sugar Maple
To celebrate the great life of William James ( Bill ) Bateman of Barrie Ontario, and to always remember his passing, this traditional Maple was planted during the Annual Bateman Family Reunion in 2006.
The Sugar Maple tree was chosen because it exemplifies the traditional values of strength and pride that we associate with Bill, as well as a sweetness that often showed through.
His wife Anne, and the many children; grandchildren and great grandchildren of the family remember Bill Bateman as having a lifelong affiliation with the nature around him; and his love of trees was a large part of his life.
At the Bateman family home in Oro Township, we all remember a massive Maple tree that dominated the yard, providing shelter and shade for the family through many happy occasions. Our hope is that this new tree will live on in that tradition.
IN LOVING HONOUR OF BILL BATEMAN
Sunday August 6th, 2006