Kevin Gifford Bainard

And so I bid farewell, or rather Au Revoir , to a friend of my youth; equal both as friend and foe when debate was engaged. As he would wish, do not stand and weep, for I am not there, I do not sleep. Better by far that you should forget and smile, then remember and be sad. Kevin, at heart, was an adventurous soul, more Lewis and Clarke, Magellan or Cabot then most whom I’ve met. He has embarked on his greatest adventure, and will carve a simple path for the rest who knew him, to follow. He’d be pleased about that. I, for one, will see him soon, in good time. Hale, healthy and well to renew again. Peace. Dean. xoxo

My friend Kevin Bainard passed away on Friday after a very long battle with Huntington’s disease. His former wife Joanne called me today to “thank me for everything, as I was one of the very few that stayed in touch”. Something that I felt ashamed about as I just talked to him in December and told him I am coming out in the spring….I should have made the time.

People question if there is a God….and I did today I’m not going to lie.

Huntington’s is simply one of the most cruel inherited fates one could ever imagine.

Kevin was a brilliant, introverted, hilarious shit disturber that the world never really appreciated. In fact I feel like the world kicked him around like an unwanted can on the road but he never quit..not ever.

When no one in HR would hire him because of his involuntary shaking, he delivered news papers in Barrie because he wanted to prove to himself that he could still make pocket money.

We worked in the same shitty office years ago and one of his favorite gags was to call reception while sitting across from me and asking her to “put me through to Brad its urgent”.

She would start yelling that she knows he can see me he needs to look it up in the directory and he would reply “its urgent”…. then he would immediately say “hold on I have another call”….and she would wait….. then he would come back and say “ok, put me though to Brad” and she did every time.

We would piss ourselves (Rick, Kevin and I) laughing and then he would lean back and tickle his own shoulders in a weird “tell” of self congratulations.

Kevin wanted to do great things with his career but the disease simply got in the way.

He did raise a great son (Nick) and had at least one great ex wife (Joanne) so that alone is more than most can say.

To those that knew Kevin and forgot him…. you missed out.

To those that knew Kevin and remembered him, you can know that he chose his own way out with determination, pride and self respect.

…….and that is something

Kevin Bainard had Huntington’s Disease. Kevin died last Friday and chose to be an organ donor. The transplant team asked if we’d share a few words in writing about Kevin, so they could know him in some small way. Here’s what we shared:

Kevin refused to let adversity and hardship defeat him.

When Kevin couldn’t do much anymore due to his disease, he still walked to the library each week. He walked slowly and with difficulty, but by God, he walked. At the library, Kevin always searched for a magazine article or passage from a book that was about hope and goodness in the world. He wouldn’t leave the library until he had found something to read that was a sign of hope.

In the end, Kevin lost hope for himself, but he kept the hope for his son and others he loved. He hoped that the transplant recipients would live in good health and have joyful lives. And Kevin kept his hope that there was still much goodness in the world.
#Undefeated

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
― Emily Dickinson

Kevin was the bravest and most adventurist person I knew. He once travelled to Ecuador to go in the jungle to look for plants with medicinal properties. My favourite personal moment happened when we were in our late teens. He came back from a trip to the beer store with something called Toby. He said all beer tastes the same. I strongly disagreed with that and I wasn’t alone in that sentiment. I knew him a very long time as we started kindergarten the same year, I was 6 days older, which I never let Giff, as I called him, forget. Rest in Peace my friend.

RIP Kevin. Thanks for being a faithful member of the Huntington’s Disease community. You never missed a meeting or fundraising event and always wanted to help.

You also participated in clinical trials to be part of the race to cure Huntington’s Disease. You knew participating in these clinical trials wouldn’t cure you – but you hoped your sacrifice and participation would lead to the cure for others.

Kevin, thanks for being a Huntington’s Disease Warrior and a good person. RIP.

Sending love and prayers to Nick and the family.

I met Kevin during a 1 year leadership program around 2006. We spent a lot of time together and it was always. transformation focused. I haven’t seen him in years but I will never forget his positive perspective of the world and his laughter. There was a levity about Kevin, regardless of the challenges, he made a point of making light and had a quick witted sense of humour.

I will miss you my dear friend.

Robin❤️😇

I just found out about Kevins Passing a few days ago when a mutual friend of ours also passed– Colin Firth here in Sudbury. We both had the ‘Laurentian Experience’ together and as they say “It wasn’t all Academic”. He had a Photo genic mind, study something once and then an “A”. Even from the Night before Lol… Interesting stories from when he Bartended at the Nickel City Hotel part-time , especially after hours. Him ,Jo and me went ski-ing one Sat at Onaping Ski hill and I didn’t secure ski rack onto car properly so whole thing flew off on HWY 144, albeit nothing broken except my pride. I remember him throwing football around, I think would of been a pro if was bigger in stature. If Joanne , Nick et al come up to Sudbury let me know, get Gang together again Ken Jones etc. My Deepest sympathies, WAYYY too Young. See you on the other side Kevin , Gary Lalande.