"They say that to every end there is a beginning: such is the story of Echostone."
A few years back, my brother died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), and was cremated. My sister-in-law had eight tiny urns made, each holding some of Mickey’s ashes, one for each family member to wear as a pendant. I said, “Oh Lucy, you know I adored Mickey, but I will never feel comfortable wearing this.” She said, “Oh, I know that – but Ron will figure out something to do with them.”
At that time my husband, Ron Ego, was making commemorative gifts for the Toronto Blue Jays. One item was a crystal Lucite keepsake, into which a replica of their World Series ring was embedded. The Blue Jays organization said it was one of the finest items ever made for them.
When I arrived home from the funeral with eight tiny urns, Ron and I thought: “What can we do with them?” Ron came up with a brilliant idea.
My brother had been a world champion amateur baseball player, so baseball and Mickey just seemed to fit. Ron created eight commemorative memorials, one for each family member. He floated the tiny urn with a baseball glove and bat, encased in Lucite with a custom-molded nameplate: a wonderful tribute and memory of my brother and his love for the game of baseball.
This beautiful memento now sits on my kitchen windowsill, reflecting the sun’s rays. It captures Mickey’s essence and makes me feel wonderful. There is a special connection.
After some time I began checking with other family members to gauge their emotions and I discovered that this feeling was not unique to me. Each of us had our own “special spot” and attachment to our Memorial.
It was some years later when I thought: if this is so special to me and my family, perhaps others would like the opportunity to have a custom memorial of their loved one. This was the beginning of Echostone.
A portion of every sale is donated to the ALS Society of Canada
Endorsed by and a member of the Ontario Funeral Services Association
Member of the Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce