Wayne Crockett – Let His Memory Live On

How do we remember Wayne Crockett?

Would words do him justice? Will pictures of times spent with him on the trails, post-hike noshes, social repasts, snowshoe clinics, and condensed history lessons along the Niagara frontier & Fort York preserve his memory? Does the faint sound of a song shared tweak one’s grey cells? Perhaps.

With warmth and sincerity, “Friends of Wayne” call upon you to make his memory live on by way of a commemorative bench plaque in High Park and a tree plaque in Sir Casimer Gzowski Park. This will be accomplished through the Commemorative Bench and Tree Program of the City of Toronto.

Hence, this GoFundMe initiative.

Conservatively, the goal is to raise $2,700.00.

As Joyce Kilmer’s famous couplet reads, and which Wayne most likely would relate to and repeat:

“I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree. …”

Wayne was a one-of-a-kind friend and he cut a wide swath.

Wayne was a well-regarded, kind, and attentive hike leader. Club officer, mentor, guide, planner, hike sweep, volunteer, snowshoe instructor, organizer, social convenor, and explorer were a few of the many hats he wore as a hiker. He ambled, puffed on ascents, and enjoyed the views along the Bruce Trail, just like the rest of us.

On the lighter side, Wayne enjoyed his ales and would quaff a glass or two with gusto. Not one to avoid the kitchen, he whipped up tourtieres, chilis, enchiladas, and scones. Without hesitation, he shared his recipes with pride. Wayne was partial to the colors blue, black, and red, and subject to the season, his familiar headcovers included a baseball cap, a floppy sun hat, or a toque. Once while wearing a walking boot and leaning on crutches he soldiered on along the trail. A true trooper indeed.

Wayne was also a historian with facts and figures at his fingertips. Moreover, he had the natural aptitude to share these bon mots with wit and humour. He held degrees in history, political science, and library science. An archivist by profession, he read extensively, reviewed articles and books on history, and served as a Director with the Association of Canadian Archivists.

Son, brother, uncle, great uncle, confidant, and friend, he is definitely missed.

Friends of Wayne, let’s make this happen. Let Wayne’s memory live on.

We have reached our fundraising goal !

Donations will no longer be accepted.

With thanks and appreciation.

After paying for installation of bench and tree plaques, GoFundMe fees & bank fees, the remaining balance will be donated to the Bruce Trail Conservancy in Wayne's name.