When I was in grade nine he came to my school; it was an election year and Trudeaumania was waning. He was my first introduction to what a politician could be like. He spoke well from the stage but still managed to not always answer all of the questions he was asked. I was impressed, frustrated and bored. But I did get to shake his hand as our class was elected to be the welcoming party. I am saddened by his passing but I wonder if he's happy to be gone now.