Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Sadly

Sadly, my Dad passed away last Friday.  He was 93 years old and except for a couple of difficult months this past year,  was exceptionally healthy for all those years. 


Dad's life motto was  'When we work,  we work hard.  But when we play, we play hard.'   Dad's personality and way of things could best be described as one of largess or perhaps the better word is,  excess.
If he owned one pair of sneakers, he must have owned 18.  Same with plain white tee shirts, light bulbs, batteries and shoe laces. In his bedroom at the house he had 3 tall boy dressers, and a collection of 500 CDs.

He loved to drive around the Gaspe but by the 17th trip my  Mother refused to go again and so  dad made many more  trips alone.

He used to make his own wine. He kept a running supply of 400 bottles.  

Since my Mothers death he had collected small, round, end tables.  "For the living room, to put a dish of peanuts on when I have company"  he'd say.  He had 9.   


He like his music loud;  his wine, red and copious; his cigars, Cuban; his Courvoisier, heated.  He loved Quebec, the French language and the French people.  And they loved him.  One French family that worked for Dad years ago had 13 children.  Dad and my Mom were invited to every one of those 13  weddings and by the time number 13 was married they were being invited to the weddings of the grandchildren. 




Dad loved Canada and  from 1941 - 1945 he served his country overseas. After being involved in the Italian Campaign, Dad was scheduled to be shipped to the Pacific but with the dropping of the atomic bomb the war was over and dad was home.  Ever after, he  held  Harry S. Truman in high regard.  "Mr Truman saved my life", he'd say. 


He loved politics, attended several sessions of  both federal and provincial Parliaments, never failed to vote and kept a regular email correspondence of an advisory nature  with his member of Parliament.








He believed in hard work and thought that all who are able should always pay their own way.   He had no patience for laziness or cheaters. 

He loved to travel  and he loved to read.  He had read every book ever written about,  or by,  Winston Churchill.




His home was always open to anyone who wanted to drop in.  There was no business so pressing that he couldn't stop to enjoy a glass of red wine with a friend.



He asked for no funeral but rather that we have a party.  And he asked that we  spread his ashes  in Quebec City, at Perce Rock and in New Orleans.  We have some travelling to do.







14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry. Your Dad looked like a man who enjoyed life and made life enjoyable for others.
teresa_a

Sandra said...

Brenda - my condolences on the loss of your Dad - he sounds like a man I would have loved to spend time with, drinking wine and listening. Similar to my own Dad in so many ways. I hope you find solace in the knowledge of a life well lived.

Needles said...

Oh Brenda, he sounds like a grand man, a truly grand person. You have my deepest sympathies.

northernknitter said...

How fortunate you are to have such a fine man for your Dad...I'm sure you will miss him very much obviously you have many wonderful memories to celebrate his life and to comfort you & your family...Peace be with you all.

Vera said...

I am very sorry for your loss. You will miss this exceptional man very much. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Jan said...

I am so sorry for your loss. He sounded like a great man. I love that a little part of him will be in New Orleans. My absolute favourite city.He had great taste!

pattie in Geneseo said...

That was a lovely eulogy for your dad.
I'm so sorry for your loss.

Linda said...

What a tribute to your father, for those 9 decades well-lived and the example he gave you of joie de vivre.

Debbie said...

Brenda, sorry to hear of your father's passing. He sounds like a wonderful man. You were lucky to have him for so long.

Crazy Knitting Fool said...

Sounds like he was quite the man. So sorry for your loss.

LynS said...

What a wonderful, full life. So many people will remember him, and there will be so much to remember about him. I'm sure you'll miss him deeply. My condolences to you.

Yarn and Ivories said...

I know it's sad, but what a life! I remember you talking about your trips with him, and especially to New Orleans. Great memories of a great man. My condolences to you and your family.

Christy J said...

Just getting caught up on blogs. So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing but he had a great run. Sounds as if he had more red wine in the basement than we do. He wasn't Italian, was he?

freshisle said...

I'm so sorry to read of your dad's passing. Your memories of him sound wonderful. I know you will miss him and I'm thinking of you.