Wednesday, June 17, 2020
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Pop and his boys. Nothing made him happier then to be with his family. Having all the boys together was always extra special. You showed us how to be men, you showed us how to be Fathers. You taught us respect and pride and what your word and handshake are supposed to mean. You taught us the importance of working hard and not giving in to the worlds temptations. You instilled in us old world values that didn't always seem to be the norm in the modern world. I remember days when we were young and you coming home after a long hard day pouring concrete and being tired but always making time for us and teaching us things about life. I remember you standing in the front yard and us and all the kids in the neighborhood trying to wrestle you to the ground and never even getting close. I remember all the years we played little league and you never missing a game. I remember all the years of going to the YMCA. I remember all the camping trips we would take, even the one when we got the truck stuck at the beach because you insisted that we didn't really need 4 wheel drive and us kids and Mom pushing the truck while you steered . I remember those giant calloused hands that could be soft and tender when they needed to be or firm and protective. I remember days when you would go to work with a back so beat up that it would take you most of the morning to walk straight but always going to make sure we had what we needed. My entire life I only remember you missing a single day of work because of kidney stones. You always wanted the best for your family and would do whatever work was necessary to make sure we were fed, clothed and had a home. You were always a rock to us all. Even when we lost Raymond you refused to cry because you wanted to stay strong for all of us. I'm going to miss our talks and our long rides and just spending time at the house sitting on the couch with you. I miss watching you navigate little Raymond and Ariana's toys all over the floor when we would be at your house and how much you loved when they would give you a big hug and tell you "I love you Papa". I'll even miss having Claudia having to repeat herself a dozen times because you were never able to hear her, especially over the volume of the TV. I miss watching you with Mom and knowing how much you both loved each other. I'll never forget watching you dance with her at the kids Baptism. I will be forever grateful and proud for having you as a Husband to our Mother, a Father to us and a wonderful Grand Father to all your Grand Children. Words don't begin to express the hurt of not having you here. You were not only my Father, hero and role model but also my best friend and confidant. I always told you that we would be together in this world and the next and know that we will see you on the other side. I know that you have Raymond by your side and ask that you look over us and protect us. Visit us in our dreams. You will always be in our hearts and our minds. Thank You Dad for everything. I love you more then you will ever know.
Your loving son John
