In Memory Of... My Dad

On January 13, 2008 the world lost a great man, and I lost my father.
I still do not think it is fair he had to leave this world, after all he was one of the good guys. And I really do not think it was fair that my kids had to lose a grandfather just a year and a half after the lost their other one.
God I miss him, every day I wish I could call him up and talk. I do not think I have ever felt so devastated... like my internal light has gone out. This has been so hard for my mother, brother, sister as well as many other people. And Nick has loved my father as long as he as loved me.
I am sure I will have a ton more to say about him, but today I wanted to post a pic of him and his littlest angel, Carter, during our trip to Cancun as well as post a couple things said at his funeral.

This was a poem I found online and modified from a single grandchild to many grandchildren. I read this for the funeral:
My Grandpa's SmileYour first smile said to us,All there was to know.
We were in our Grandpa's heart,And he was never letting go.

Your smile was full of pride,As you held our little hand.
You were there to welcome us,Your newest, biggest fan.

Your smile is our magic wand,Making laughs and fun appear.
There is no ordinary day,When our Grandpa's near.

Your smile is our secret pal,Spreading mischief ear to ear.
Full of silly pranks and jokes,For all of us to hear.

Your smile is our hero,Reflecting tales of days gone by.
Like walking miles to school,And shoveling snow a story high.

All our life we’ll keep with us,Memories of us all.
And know how lucky we have been,To have a Grandpa smile like you.

And this was the eulogy I wrote with help of my family. My sister, Carrie, read it but for blogging purposes I am going to change it so it sounds like any of the kids could have read it:
Dad was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on February xx, 1942 to Abe and Sophia S. Soon after that they moved to St. Paul, first on Pleasant Ave and then to a house on Eleanor Avenue where he lived till he was an adult. When Dad was four, his days of being an only child ended and his brother Marshall was born. According to Uncle Marshall, Dad or Kenny, as he called him, was his mentor who taught him astronomy, photography, stamps, coin collecting, electronics, computers and how to drive both his parents and teachers crazy, especially his Hebrew School teachers.
Dad married Ann in August of 1968 and Carrie was born three years later. After a short but sweet marriage, Dad and Ann divorced. It was at that time that Dad bought the house on Woodlawn Avenue that he lived in until his death.
Dad then married Terry in March of 1979 and Melissa was born later that year. Less then two years later, Aaron was born and the family was complete. What Terry remembers most about that time is how lovable, compassionate and understanding Dad was. Dad always said his biggest regret at the time was how much he worked when he would rather be with all of us. Melissa says one of his fondest memories of the time was when he did come home from work and she would run into his arms and tell him how much she missed him.I
n 1988 Dad was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma but he wouldn’t let the five years to live guideline hold him back. This is when he and Terry started to take as many trips as possible. He also went back to the University of Minnesota to complete his degree in Microbiology. He loved watching baseball and we will never forget his brief stint as Aaron’s little league coach. One of Dad’s proudest moments was getting to walk his two daughters down the aisle, Melissa to Nick in 2000 and Carrie to Johnny in 2002.
Dad decided his most important accomplishment was becoming a Grandfather. Gage, Jeffrey, Samantha and Carter were his guardian angels in this last year. Dad relished watching his Grandkids and would freely admit that he would change their diapers, if no one else was available.
Many of you know that Dad was open to everyone and every subject. Whether you were Jewish or Catholic, Democrat or Republican, he would have a friendly theoretical, political or environmental debate with you. And he was always willing to help whether it was a run to the airport, rewiring a house or anything else a family member or friend needed. He was a jack of all trades. He knew a little bit of everything and was always willing to share his knowledge and wisdom.
Dad got to fulfill his dying wish last November when took the family to a beautiful resort in Cancun, Mexico. We enjoyed a week of sun, sand and mediocre food. No one in the family can forget the wonderful memories that trip made. We even got to celebrate Dad and Terry’s 29th anniversary a couple months early.
We know Dad wished to live forever and he fought his disease the hardest he could. He didn’t complain about the three to four hour dialysis sessions three days a week, or that he just couldn’t do everything he used to. And he always made sure his family knew that he loved them.And Dad we love you too. And we will miss you. And we hope that you and Grandma have a beautiful reunion in heaven.

C-Ya!