Bye Daddy

On July 31st my Dad, Robert, passed away at the age of 88.

When someone dies, after the initial period of sorrow and pain have passed you start remembering and sharing those things that meant something to you personally. These thoughts just seem to appear, perhaps something physical like a smell or sound triggers them out of thin air, and they comfort. I want to share some of my memories of my Dad with you.

When I was 5 years old my Dad took me to New York City for the first time. We took the train from Massachusetts into the city just for the day. It was also my first train trip. It was winter and before Christmas. I'll never forget going to Rockerfeller center and watching all the people ice skating, the huge decorated Christmas tree, the giant mailbox to put your letter to Santa in and it was the first time I had seen a policeman on a horse! It was a big day and it was just me and Dad and I felt so grown up.

Dad was never really the outdoor type... he was never comfortable at the beach and he always wore socks with his sandles... on the beach! Mom took us camping herself...Dad didn't go camping. Mom said that they got poison ivy on their honeymoon because he cleared the yard for his aunt just before and didn't know it was loaded with the itchy weed.What a way to spend your honeymoon. He hated insects with a passion and I remember living in fear of hearing a mosquito because he would start fumigating the whole house. Mind you he got malaria when he was in Panama in World War II so I understood his fear. I even remember once on a Sunday afternoon going to the local park for a picnic and he tripped and sprained his foot. He grilled hotdogs over the hibachi as he lay on the blanket with his foot up.

He was always meticulous in dressing. He loved ties! He worked for the Department of Defense for 40 years and always wore a suit. I'll never forget the first pair of jeans my Mom bought for him so he could do yard work?! He had them tailored! He just didn't get it.

Though I never remember my Dad watching or being interested in sports my youngest brother has fond memories of going to Whalers hockey games with Dad in Hartford, CT when he was a kid (he's 11 years younger than me). He loved to read, he was an expert ballroom dancer and even taught for Arthur Murray studios, he loved being in the sun, he loved apple pie and donuts and he loved his grandchildren very much.

In the last year he talked alot about his Grandmother Kindred and her home on Nelson St. in Fitchburg, MA. He loved her dearly and his best childhood memories were from there...he was a known blueberry pie thief at the age of 2! Head to toe blue, licking his chops and not showing any remorse...so we are going to take Dad back to his Grandma as we think that is where he would like to be most.

Thanks for everything- the good times and the bad as it shaped me into the person I am today. Thanks for being strict...I never doubted I was loved. I'll miss you. I love you.

Until we meet again....

Your Daughter