If I Ran the Zoo

Talk about mixed emotions: My close friend, Father William Treacy, died last week at the amazing age of 103, and I will miss him so much, but I will also join in the joyous celebrations of his incredible life.

Several years ago, I was looking for a place to teach my film and acting classes and heard about a 200-acre property in Skagit County that had buildings that were vacant much of the year. When I got there, I found out that it was now the Treacy-Levine Center, a place where Palestinian kids joined Israeli kids for wonderful summer programs.

When I found out there were no Jews then on the board, I raised my hand and volunteered. I became very close with Father Treacy and Sister Emma, his caretaker.

Father was very progressive. As a young Irish priest at the end of World War II, he was assigned to Seattle and later met Rabbi Raphael Levine. In 1960 they developed a television series for public television in Seattle with Rev. Dr. Martin Goslin of Plymouth Congregational Church entitled "Challenge" to explore common ground between different religions.

With Levine, he started Camp Brotherhood for diverse children to join together for a free summer getaway in Skagit County.

After Father Treacy found out I wrote for the La Conner Weekly News, he often gave me columns of his own that my editor, Ken Stern, was happy to publish. Even at the age of 103, Father's mind was very active and he continually gave me columns, the last one of which was published a week before his passing, "Reflecting on annual International Day of Peace."

He had a parade of his passionate followers stopping by the small house he shared with Sister Emma the last few years until Father was just too vulnerable to have in-person guests this summer.

There will be a vigil on 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at St. James Cathedral in Seattle and a funeral mass the next morning, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. at the same place.

Father Treacy is not going away. He will continue to be in my heart and mind and the hearts and minds of so many others.