Friday, September 09, 2011

Peace

My dad passed away last night in his sleep. He was 77 years old.

Mom asked me to write his obituary for the newspaper, and I don't think it will be difficult to find the words to describe the man he was. He was born in New York City, and grew up in a tenement in a very poor neighborhood. He escaped poverty, first to become a Merchant Mariner, and then a chef.

He never had children of his own until he married my mom, at which point he bravely became stepfather to five sons and daughters, most of whom were teenagers. Despite the innumerable challenges of gaining an instant family, he was a devoted and loving husband to my mother, and a wonderful father to us.

He had so many friends. Too many to count, much less name. Everyone who got to know my dad loved him. Everyone. He was that kind of guy.

I don't have that many photos of me with my father, probably because I was either taking the pictures, or dodging them. But this morning I unearthed one of us together on a very fine day thirty-one years ago. It's one of those moments when he was just being my dad:




I was so blessed to have you in my life, Anthony. Thank you for choosing to be my father, and for all the love and kindness you gave me. May your journey be safe, your next place be filled with birds and dogs and a huge kitchen, and once you're there all that you know is joy and peace. I will see you again someday.

67 comments:

  1. It sounds like your father was a wonderful man who had a life full of people who loved him very much. I know you'll always miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless.

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  2. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your father was a great man. :hugs:

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  3. Oh, Lynn, my heart aches for your. My sincere condolences and may his memory always be a blessing in your life.

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  4. :hugs: I'm so sorry for your loss, Lynn. Thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute to your wonderful father.

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  5. My sincerest condolences. He was clearly a wonderful father.

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  6. Take care, Lynn. And God bless.

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  7. I'm sorry for your loss.

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  8. Anonymous10:11 AM

    Lynn:
    Sincere sympathies to you and your family.
    May you find comfort in the love & support of friends, and smiles through tears in all of the great memories.
    Sara

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  9. Anonymous10:13 AM

    My prayers are with you. May you always remember the love and the life the two of you shared.

    1 L Loyd

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  10. Hugs to you and your family. He looks so proud of you in that photo.

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  11. I am very sorry to hear about your loss, Lynn. My sincere condolences to you and your family.


    Mireya

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  12. I am so sorry for your loss but what a wonderful tribute to him. Hugs,
    Leslee

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  13. That is a beautiful tribute.

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  14. Wishing you peace as well during this sad time....your dad was adorable ...reminds me of my Grandpa.

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  15. Anonymous11:13 AM

    I'm sorry you lost him. He looks so proud and happy in that photograph - clearly someone who steps up with an open heart. You were so lucky to have him as long as you did.

    Bess

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  16. Margaret C.11:37 AM

    My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Your wonderful memories will help you get through this as well as his hand on your shoulder. Take care of yourself, espeically during this difficult time.

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  17. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    He sounds like such a wonderful man--I wish I could have met him. He looks so proud and happy, and he has a great smile.

    May he rest in peace, with beauty around him, until his family can join him in heaven.

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  18. May he rest in peace and in the picture, he looks so proud.

    Cyn

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  19. Anonymous11:48 AM

    So sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute and what a perfect picture to include. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  20. He sounds like a wonderful man, and a true father. I'm sure he knew how much you loved him, and that he made a big difference in your lives. May he live in the light forevermore.

    My prayers are with you and with your family.

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  21. Praying for your family. Sorry for your loss, you were blessed to have him.

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  22. Peace, strength, and a lifetime of beautiful memories to you and your family. You're in my thoughts.

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  23. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your father sounds like a wonderful man who left you and yours with so many great memories.

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  24. Beautiful photo. Big hugs to you and the family.

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  25. Anonymous1:52 PM

    Very sorry for your loss.

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  26. I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.

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  27. What a beautiful tribute to your Dad; he sounds like a wonderful man. Our prayers are with you and your family.

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  28. What a great legacy for your dad to leave behind. Your dress is super cute and he looks so proud to be escorting you down the aisle


    reese

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  29. It's a rare thing to have such a good man as a father. My condolences on your loss.

    Jason

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  30. So sorry to hear this. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts.

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  31. Sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family.

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  32. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your remembrance is wonderful.

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  33. I'm sorry for your loss but glad you had a man who CHOSE to be your father. You have been very blessed. You and your family are in my prayers as you adjust and celebrate a life well-lived.

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  34. My sincere condolences to you and your family. He lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

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  35. MeganS6:46 PM

    Very sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like an exceptional person. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  36. My sympathies to you and your family for your loss. Your fathers sounds like a wonderful man.

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  37. Lynn, I am very sorry for your loss. Your words and the photo you found were beautiful and I wish your family peace.

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  38. Yolanda9:29 PM

    I'm very sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Your words about your dad are beautiful.

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  39. Wishing you and your family peace.

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  40. Many hugs dearest Lynn.

    Nina

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  41. The shared love between you is as obvious as the look of pride on his face.
    I'm glad his passing was peaceful.
    All my sympathy to you and your family, Lynn, and a big, heartfelt {{hug}}.

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  42. Anonymous2:10 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  43. Sheila3:22 AM

    My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

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  44. Lynn,
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Hugs to you all.

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  45. Sending you and your family lots of love. I'm sorry for your loss - it sounds like he was a lovely man.

    Warm wishes,
    Karen

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  46. My thoughts are with you. I am so sorry for your loss. I love the picture of you and your father. You made a lovely bride. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  47. Anonymous10:42 AM

    It sounds like your dad was a stand-up guy. Thank you for sharing this with us. I'll send prayers for him and you and your family.

    JulieB

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  48. Your entire family is in my thoughts at this time.

    Thank you for sharing the picture and how you felt about your father.

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  49. bluebamboo11:30 AM

    Love, thoughts, and many prayers for you and your family during this time.

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  50. Sheila,

    My condolences to you and your family. My prayers go out to all of you.

    What a beautiful picture of you and your Dad! May you always cherish him and the memories of him.

    BJ

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  51. I am so sorry for your loss. Your words for him are beautiful and you can read the love you have for him in them...and see the pride and love he had for you in the picture. Thank you for showing us your wedding picture and sharing your memorial for him.
    Be blessed,
    Jennifer

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  52. Lynn,

    I am sorry for you loss. I understand the pain of losing your father.

    You have my condolences.

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  53. I'm crying with you, my friend. Remember, he'll never be far as long as he's in your heart and I know he will always be there.

    Love you and lots of huge, gentle hugs.

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  54. CMcKane3:29 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree beautiful words & beautiful picture of a remarkable man.

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  55. Shiloh Walker10:29 AM

    I'm sorry for your loss... I know all the memories of you have him will bring you peace and comfort.

    I love that picture-he literally looks like he's all but coming apart with pride to be there with you. That smile on his face is wonderful.

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  56. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  57. I am sorry for your loss. Wishing you and your family comfort and strength, joy in remembering, and peace.

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  58. Lynn - so sorry for your loss. I found this in one of my quotation books and would like to share this with you. regards. Esna from South Africa - an ardent Darkyn follower.

    "People do not die for us immediately, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life which bears no relation to true immortality but through which they continue to occupy our thoughts in the same way as when they were alive. It is as though they were traveling abroad. ~Marcel Proust"

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  59. I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you. That was a beautiful post.

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  60. Beth Miller5:23 PM

    This was a beautiful tribute-- and a gorgeous photo-- I'm so very sorry for your loss.

    ~Beth

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  61. Anonymous9:24 PM

    Lynn, I am sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like he was a real special guy. I understand your loss, my father passed away 17 years ago, the raw-ness of it lessens with time. I still feel like he lives on in my heart, I wish the same peace for you. Stephenia

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  62. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  63. Lynn, In a world filled with words, they still manage to fail one when they are most needed.

    May you find peace in the darkness. May he always be your guiding light.

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  64. I'm very sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts.

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  65. many things in life happen for many reasons. at times we ask ourselves why? why this and why now? sorry will not fix a thing or even put your heart at ease.take hold of God and his word and you will see true freedom from pain and all things. God bless you and your family

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  66. Sorry for your loss, Lynn. Love the picture. What memories it must bring back. His love and pride is palpable in his face.

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