June 12, 2026

There was an event last night at The Moxy hotel which was a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis. It was organized by one of Pat’s cousins, Chuck McKinnon.

I’ve known Charles (Chuck as he is known now …) since he was about 3. When I was first on the Martin/McKinnon scene, over 48 years ago, he was Pat’s best friend. The Martins and the McKinnons lived back to back on Mabou and Inverness Avenues, and Charles and Pat spent a lot of time together. Until I came along.

Charles was not very impressed with me. “I don’t know her” he declared on meeting me. It was a rough start. He got over it when we took he and his older brother to the movies soon after.

And now he’s of course a grown man with kids of his own. Who has been organizing a fundraiser called “Friends of Robbie and Jane” for over 20 years since his friends died of Cystic Fibrosis.

Unlike the yearly golf Tournament, this one was a musical event. Last night Chuck called on his many talented extended family members to get up and play a few tunes from 4-7 pm at the Moxy. By the end of the event the MC (Ian McKinnon, a cousin) had announced that a new band had been formed “Cousins of Chuck McKinnon” (picture below) as they all got up to sing the finale “Barrett’s Privateers.”

As it happened, our son Chris (formerly of Chris Martin and The Trouble Shooters) was on one of his breaks from the boats so was able to get up and offer a few songs … I haven’t heard him play in years so it was wonderful to see him on stage again. And still playing my old Gibson J45, which my father bought for me in the late 60s at a pawn shop on Church St. in Toronto.

The place was full and the mood was festive. We don’t often get together as an extended family anymore … many of us said it felt like Christmas in July. Occasionally there is still a Christmas gathering.

And of course there were many other friends and colleagues of Chuck’s there.

It was a fun evening. And I feel old. And quite nostalgic for the ones who have left us. But also full of joy and gratitude at the strange series of events which brought me into this family almost 5 decades ago.

I tried to capture a video now and then, but folks kept stepping in front of me … but here are some pctures.

We appreciate all donations to the church.