Honourable senators, today I want to pay special tribute to my friend, the Honourable Gerald Comeau, who died last week.

An accountant by trade, Gerald was elected to represent the Nova Scotia riding of South West Nova in 1984 and served as an MP for four years. In 1990, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney appointed him to the Senate. He spent a total of 10,000 days in both houses.

I became friends with Gerald when I was appointed to the Senate in 2012 because we had a lot in common. Gerald was born on February 1; I was born on February 2. Also, he was a Comeau, and I am of course married to a Comeau, so two authentic Acadians.

Gerald and his wife, Aurore, were snowbirds, wintering in Bradenton on Florida’s west coast. As snowbirds ourselves, Danielle and I spend the winters on Florida’s west coast 30 minutes away from Gerald and Aurore. As you might imagine, we shared restaurant meals and even dinners at home.

Danielle and I were privileged to spend a weekend at their amazing home in Baie Sainte-Marie, Nova Scotia, where Gerald showed us how to eat a lobster. He believed the best lobster came from Nova Scotia. I can see that some senators are skeptical, but still.

My friend knew that I like luxury cars and he took the opportunity to show me his gorgeous 1970s Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, lovingly stored in his garage.

I could see how much people from his region loved Gerald and Aurore. Gerald was involved in his community. He listened to people. He knew how to help them.

Today, I have lost a friend and I will miss him. However, the sky is blue and I know that Gerald was a proud Conservative. From his blue sky, he can watch over the Senate and maybe even influence some of its decisions.

In closing, I will make a brief comment. In the Senate, there is some political, at times even partisan, sparring. However, I know that friendships are formed in the Senate, friendships that can last for years.

Gerald, thank you for all the wonderful memories you left us, especially my wife, or “the little Comeau” as you called her, and me.

To Aurore, I offer my deepest condolences.