Document text
--> --> Condolences to the family's loss of Rory Ably By Paige Prewett, Linda Chesney, Kari Gies Nature Center staff On behalf of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department, we would like to offer our most sincere condolences for the loss of Rory Ably to his family, friends and the skating community. The staff here at the North Mountain Park Nature Center had the fortunate opportunity of knowing Rory. Last June, a local company was contracted to paint the exterior of the farmhouse-turned-Nature Center. It was one of the final steps of the renovation that was much awaited and badly needed. Rory & the paint crew spent about six weeks on the project, and turned the Nature Center into a beautiful community asset. One of our favorite memories of Rory was made during his first days on the job. The painters arrived in the morning but had to wait for some equipment to arrive before they could begin working. Rory, rather than seeking a place in the shade to wait, started weeding the gardens around the Nature Center. When one of the staff expressed our appreciation for his unsolicited volunteer work, he quietly noted that the ground was wet and when it dried, which wouldn't be long, the weeds would be much harder to pull. This is how we met Rory. We liked him immediately. One of us once asked Rory why he had moved to Talent from Washington. His answer: because of the skate parks. We remember that Rory was the crewmember always recruited to paint the precarious places on the eaves and roof of the Nature Center. It was obvious that his love for skating made him agile and skilled in places other than on a skateboard. During the time he worked here, we came to know Rory as a conscientious person with a positive attitude and sweet disposition. His enthusiasm and work ethic are reflected in the Nature Center and will serve as a testament to his memory for years to come. An engraved plaque will be installed in the brick walkway around the Nature Center to honor him at North Mountain Park. We feel lucky to have known Rory and know that he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Paige Prewett, Linda Chesney, Kari Gies, Nature Center Staff Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing