My Grandpa went to be with the Lord this morning, and to join my Grandma, who passed on last April. He would have been 95 this April. This photo was taken this past October on our back deck at a family gathering.
Grandpa was one of the most gentle and humble men you could ever meet; a soft-spoken man of dignity and kindness. He was a baseball player back in the day and a big White Sox and Cubs fan. He loved children, could do a mean See-A-Word (even in his nineties!), and had a well-known sweet tooth. He used to own and work a sizable farm, and loved working outdoors. At his former house in town, he had an entire finished basement filled with tools, gadgets and gizmos (and each one was well-organized, too!). He liked to work with wood, and among the family, many of us have mug holders and coat racks that he crafted himself. I remember him always being around and available when anyone needed help, and was always up for a project.
My mom and her brothers have oodles of fun memories of Grandpa from when they were growing up. No matter what the activity -- ice skating, softball, bike riding, frog-catching, basketball, camping, bowling, swimming or sledding -- he was always up for a good time with his kids and grandkids, and had a blast doing it. And let's not forget his love for Grandma. They were married 67 years, and were still best friends to the very end when Grandma passed last spring.
And this day they are together again.
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like he was a very kind and wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by: Kelly | January 12, 2008 at 05:52 AM