Diana Bishop - Living Up to a Legend: My Adventures with Billy Bishops Ghost

During this project, I discovered that it takes a village to write a book, especially a memoir about ones life, in which so many people play a part. Whether it was to cheer me on, add constructive criticism, steer me toward deeper insight, jog my memory, or just listen to me talk endlessly about my progress, a large network of extraordinary people made it all possible. I was blessed, and I will always feel indebted.

I would like to thank the following for helping me shape my story and see my life with enriched perspective, and for walking with me on this most rewarding journey: freelance editor Barbara Berson, who got me started and helped me turn the few childhood stories I was writing into a full manuscript; my literary agent, Bill Hanna, who, coincidentally, was also my fathers agent, knew and loved Dad, and reassured me that I was rendering a balanced portrait of a supremely talented yet complicated man.

Without Kirk Howard and the highly professional team at Dundurn, my memoir would never have seen the light of day, and for this I owe a debt of gratitude, especially to Sheila Douglas, who took a chance on me, and my editor Allison Hirst, copy editor Kate Unrau, and publicist Jaclyn Hodsdon.

I would also like to thank freelance designer Corey Kilmartin, who understood my vision and created the cover design for the book.

On the personal side of things, there were my many dear friends, of which I am fortunate to have more than my fair share. Shardie Stevenson and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Gilbert know me better than anyone else on this earth, and they stood by me every step of the way. Quite simply, without their devotion, consistent urging, and inspiration, I could never have done this.

I also want to thank the following people for being there for me whenever I needed them: Norman Sobel, Hope McFall, Christine Kowal, Mary Lu Toms, Jocelyn Minton, Karen Trimble, Kelly Burnett, Olga Marsenic, Charlotte deHeinrich, Harold Rees, Cathleen Colehour, Elena Georgiadou, Thomas Pratt, Pierre Marchand, Andrea Wilson, Drew Simmie, Heather Huber, Carol Deacon, Catherine Macnaughton, Dr. Joe Smolders, and Dr. Anna Lisa Reisman.

Then, of course, there is my family. Thank you all so much for supporting me through what I fully appreciate was sometimes an uneasy process. My cousins Catherine (Twink) Willis-O Connor and Maggie Sutrov emboldened me to tell my story because they recognized that, in part, it was their story, too. And I also want to thank my brother, Bill Bishop, my sister-in -law Dr. Ginny McFarlane, my nephew Douglas Bishop, and my niece Robin Schulman. I love you all very much.

A heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Kensington Gardens Health Centre who took such wonderful care of Dad at the end of his life, with a special mention to Kathy Lashley, Nuno DaSilva, Blossom Johnson, and volunteer Joseph Sengco, a young man who shared my fathers passion for Canadas military history.

Finally, I want to thank all of those who serve and have served our country. My family instilled in me a deep respect for the sacrifices you make. You are all heroes to me.