The Story of Glenn Michael Hendryx
As told to us by his partner David, and friends Tracee, Margot, Patrick, Tim,
Jerry, Main, Paul, Carolyn, Don, James, Harvey, Gail, Erin, Blair and Connie

While quite young, Glenn and his sister Brenda were taken away from their father in California, to grow up near Regina, Saskatchewan. They never saw him again, except briefly in their late teens. They grew up with daily emotional and physical abuse from their stepfather and mother. Brenda suffered further sexual abuse from the stepfather. The emotional damage to both was extensive. Brenda was alcoholic by age 12, and ultimately committed suicide by age 21. Glenn, as a result, suffered from severe obesity, followed by bulimia. Once the stepfather had been banished by the courts, and the mother finally placed into a 'home', Glenn was free to turn his life around.

Glenn believed that life ultimately had to get better. While still in high school, he sought help, and pulled himself together. He graduated with honours, and then trained as a practical nurse. He moved to Edmonton, and worked full time while pursuing his degree at U of A. He was loved and respected by colleagues and patients alike. Most of his best friends were those with whom he worked. He loved music of all kinds, and had a special gift with, and love of languages - especially French. It was during this period at university that Glenn became infected with HIV.

A year before he graduated, he met David while visiting Vancouver. When it was apparent that a relationship was forming, he crammed his last year of studies into one semester, and moved to Vancouver to spend the last three and one half years of his life with him there. Unfortunately, the stress of this concentrated effort took its toll on his t-cell count, which plummeted. However, it was at last an opportunity to live back near the ocean, which had been his goal for many years. While in Vancouver, he worked as long as he was able for the Federal Government, teaching English to Franco-Canadian employees.

It is a great credit to Glenn that he was a man who could love generously, without condition. He forgave all those who had abused and hurt him. He remained friends with the person who infected him. He rarely complained, and never said "Why Me?" He often reflected "Why not me?" At all times, Glenn thought of others, enchanting his friends with humour, and doing his best to make others happy. He felt that life had enough pain for most people, and it was his part in life not to add to that pain.

Glenn was a wonderful companion, full of enthusiasm for life, and so generous in love. He died as he had wished, peacefully beside his partner at home. He died content, that at last he was loved and cherished as he had never been before. Glenn was a powerful presence in our lives, continuing his influence even now. He had much wisdom gained from a life of pain in his 30 years. Glenn taught us how to live with enthusiasm, to love wastefully, and to die with courage. We are so much richer for having been blessed by his presence in our lives.

Glenn Michael Hendryx on the Memorial