Obituary
Joshua Gilbert, founder and President of the Canadian Youth Rights Association (CYRA) and President of ASFAR in 1997, died on April 24, 2001. Two letters remembering Josh and what his life meant to the cause of youth rights are printed below.
I just heard about Josh .... he will definitely be missed in the YR
community. Josh was one of the first people I met when I got involved in
youth rights a few years ago. I never met him in person, but I spoke to him
frequently, and this is definitely a sad day for youth rights.
-Jason Gerber
...I was shocked to learn about Josh Gilbert’s death. Although I never knew
him personally, I have talked with him online before .... I wrote this sorta
as a tribute to the great YR ally and friend we have lost—may he live on in
our hearts, memories and in the cause that we fight for. Josh was once
President of ASFAR, from what I’ve gathered. Most notably, he founded and
led CYRA, bringing organized youth rights to Canada. From my knowledge, he
and CYRA have been pretty successful in the past ... YR internationally has
lost one of its greatest allies and friends—and Canada has lost a great
rights activist. I’m sorry that this is a tad long, but I leave you with
this:
In Memory of a Great Ally Against Oppression
Throughout history
tears have filled our eyes
people have come
in hope of freedom
yet they go
some without goodbyes.
They die for us to live
and we’ve lived to see their fate
they’ve died fighting the good cause
to win it, it’s never too late.
Many only think of
Abraham, Martin, and John
but now we must add onto the list.
Unfortunately another’s arrived at Heaven
hopefully greeted with angelic bliss
but down here on Earth we mourn
for our cause is temporarily torn
as the undertaker updates the list.
Abraham, Martin, John, and Josh
four fighters for rights
that we shall surely miss.
-Bob J. Mayberry