The below was posted on Facebook and read at dad's service on Feb. 21st. Although it just barely scratches the surface of what his life was, its a brief look at the man I grew up with.
In some ways I never thought I'd be here. I often said I thought dad would out live us all. Although I haven't read his books entirely (one of his biggest disappointments) I did read about how he rigged a doorbell to deter a neighborhood prankster and built a diving bell out of a septic tank (unused, I think). Beyond surviving childhood there was a training accident in the RCAF that took his right shoulder and broke his back, cancer of the vocal cords that changed his voice, skin cancer, colon cancer and a tumor in his spinal cord that was operated on so many times till they couldn't operate on it anymore without causing more serious damage. A few years ago they had him on so much pain medication I thought he was done..this was it. But then he got the right shot in the right place and, bam, the old man pulls it out again! I wouldn't have put it past him to wake up from a good sleep in the hospital and be all "let's go"!
But not this time.
He was a good man, often putting others first. He made sure us kids went to church until he felt we were of age to make out own decisions on Sunday mornings. He sometimes did devotions at the dinner table, especially at Christmas. He took us on adventures, sailing, flying, traveling. And when I say flying, I mean we went flying...he taught me how to fly (landing, not so much...my one landing lesson was our last time flying), but also in corporate planes. I think it was the last time we flew in a corporate plane that we went thru a thunder storm. Mom got me to buckle is just in time; bad turbulence? Upside down? I thought we had been stuck by lightning. My sister levitated off the couch, mom says I looked like a little Buddha floating cross legged off one of he chairs. It was only a moment, but when things came back, doors slapped open & closed, there was toilet water all over the bathroom, sandwiches parts stuck to the ceiling, I think I probably would have been more scared if my dad hadn't been flying the plane. I still remember, many years later, my dad receiving a letter from someone after that plane landed on the Hudson; it was a huge complement that they knew of only two pilots that could have don't that...the guy who did and my dad.
He flew celebrities, presidents, even Santa Claus! He has probably helped out more people than I'll ever know. He helped Gil & I out a lot, with our housing, an attempted home business, going back to school, and when Gil went though his cancer treatment (both times) there was never a question...mom & dad were ready to help as much as they could.
He Never stopped, exercised almost every day, first & only 5k 2008 -87 yrs old - no age group,
He taught me to be strong, better to laugh than to cry.
We are all here to gather together for the remembrance of a great man - my Grandpa. He was strong, proud man that put his family first and when he put his mind to do something, he did it, no matter what it was. The past few weeks I was praying for him to get better, but I guess it was just his time. I remember the first time he met me and I was not doing that well with my behavior, but he still accepted me as his grandson and for who I was. I cannot explain the gratefulness I have for him. He was just an all around great Grandfather and will be missed. I love you Grandpa, rest in peace and God bless. Enjoy your journey to the next life.
With great love and gratitude,
Your Grandson David".
Dad - you are da MAN!!!
I love you forever,
Your Daughter,
Sal"
Moms poem:
A very good run
A very good life
A very good family
A very good group of friends
Who could have asked for more
And it all has been given to me
not sure what else to say. He was a good man, an excellent Father.
Things are not going as smoothly after his death as I'm sure he planned I but we will get by.
We plan to drive up this summer to upstate NY, Adams Center area, to bury dad, leaving June 15th, burial June 20, maybe a visit to Canada. It will be nice to get away for awhile, although I'll miss our pups.
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