Monday, March 15, 2021
I can’t believe he’s gone, time just flew by. It seems like only yesterday, I was a little girl, probably 5 or six, barely tall enough to reach the top of the fence at my Grandparents house, standing outside in the yard with my fingers gripping through the chain link fence, staring in anticipation at the building across the street, just waiting for Dad to come out of the side door during his lunch break from Quaker Chemical. I remember how excited I would get when I would see him. He would come over to my Grandparents house and have lunch with me. It would usually be a Monday, because the family would go there to have Sunday dinner the night before and I would beg them to let me spend the night.
Another wonderful memory I have is of him throwing me up in the air and catching me,…I just loved it so much, I would giggle every time I was flying in the air. I remember the complete trust I had that he would catch me every time.
Those are just 2 of the first wonderful memories I have of my Dad, and they only got better from there. I could tell you stories for days as I have been blessed to have been given almost 60 years of those amazing memories. I think they will help bring me solace. I couldn’t have asked for a better Dad.
Thank you all for being here today
Your presence is a testament to how much Dad must have touched your lives. He always had a great outlook on life, a kind word, a pleasant smile and he was very popular……everyone loved him. I’ve told him many times over the years how
he was more popular on my facebook page than I was. He got more likes and comments than anything else I ever posted. I think he enjoyed hearing that even though he was modest about it.
You could always see him walking through conshy., talking to just about everyone he passed along the way, all the neighbors knew his name, and all the workers at the construction sites would chat with him too. People would message me that they saw him, and commented on how amazing it was that at 90 he was still walking, driving, working on his car, building things in his garage and able to be completely independent.
Dad was so talented, able to do just about anything… from working on cars, repairing small engines, to building an entire house and everything inside. He passed his knowledge on to all of his kids….
He taught me to lay brick, stone, concrete, roofing, drywall, small engine repairs, woodworking, and much more. He was always there for me when I needed him growing up and he was always there for me after I grew up. He made me who I am and his presence in my life has left an imprint on me that will last the rest of my life.
He spent a lot of his free time golfing, hunting, fishing, with his best friend Joe Blonsky.
It says an awful lot about a man that has a best friend for over 80 years, and Joe was that friend. My heart breaks for you too Joe, you’ve known Dad longer than anyone and he was so very blessed to have had you for a friend. I’m sorry for your loss.
. As most of you probably know, he fought 3 other types of cancer and beat them all,……so many people have commented to me recently that they thought he would just live forever, I kinda thought that too, he just seemed to beat anything that life would throw at him, but the 4th cancer, leukemia sadly was just too much for him. He passed at home with all 3 of his children at his side, I like to think that our presence made him feel safe and secure and he passed on peacefully without fear or angst.
He was my Dad, my hero, my mentor, and I have always admired and respected his wholesomeness and core values. He kept promises, honored commitments, and was a man of integrity.
I’ve always known, from a very young age how lucky I was to have him as my dad. I could not have possibly loved him more.
To grieve is to have loved.
I love you Dad.
Carrie
