Filed under: death, family, funeral, grandfather, memorial, passing | Tags: death, family, funeral, grandfather, memorial, passing
Last week, the world lost a great man. No, you wouldn’t have heard his obituary on the news or read it in the headlines, he was a man not unlike you’d find in your own life that brightened your life and brings a smile to your face every time you think about him and was more important than anyone you would find in Hollywood or in the Senate/White House. He was my Grandfather.
He was a man who led by example, not by words. If anyone had a problem, he would pitch in and help out, no questions asked. He answered the call of duty when world war II broke out in the US Navy because he loved his country and his countrymen. Stationed at Pearl Harbor, although he described his service as a vacation rather than a hardship (Hey, it was Hawaii after all). He married the love of his life in1948 and raised 6 rambunctious children who went about and had equally rambunctious kids of their own. To continue his service to community, he served as a town justice for the small town we lived in. Even after doling out justice, anyone who went up to him was glad that he handled their case. Hard to believe this guy had a problem with being shy.
I will always remember how he would save the comics for me. Weeks and months would go by, but when I would show up, there wouldn’t be a single week missing. I’d walk in and hear him say “I saved the comics for you”. I never liked baseball, but some of the best memories I have are sitting in his living room watching a Mets game. He never emoted much, but when the Mets would bobble a play, you could see it in his face. The summer breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass wafting through an open window (and the occasional severe thunderstorm) and the Mets made for some wonderful childhood memories.
A story that I will always cherish is one that I learned Sunday from my Aunt. After I was born, my Grandfather said that my parents honored him. She was confused as to why he said that. It was because my parents gave me the same middle name that he had (Eli if you are wondering). I can only hope to really earn that honor with the time that I have remaining. If I could only be half the man he was, then I will have led a good life.
He was predeceased by my grandmother in 1998. His funeral was on 2/2, their 61st wedding anniversary. I hope the first time they saw each other was one for a romance novel. I know they loved each other very deeply (despite the arguments when they were around) and they are up there kissing each other like they deserve.
Most Grandkids barely get 20 years with their Grandparents, I was lucky to get almost 30. I will miss you very much Grandpa, you were a huge influence on me and sorry if I never mentioned it.
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