Sorry to say, my Grandfather passed away in his sleep last night. It wasn't a surprise, he'd been on a steady decline for the last couple years and an all out assault down the mountain for the last couple months. I just wanted to share how great a guy he was and hope you appreciate what I have to say about him. My Grandfather was born in 1924 in Chicago to two first generation Americans. He was an only child but had stayed in touch with childhood friends until they started to pass away over the last decade. He lived through the depression and not only finished school, but graduated a couple years early having skipped two grades. It was shortly after that he met the woman he would spend the rest of his life. Before marrying her, he enlisted and served in the 92nd Cavalry Recon as a scout. He spent the majority of his time at the front of the lines, spare a couple of occasions, one where he got trench foot and the other being shot in the leg by a sniper. He did not speak often of what occurred over there, but from the few stories he told and the research I've done, I can only imagine the things he experienced. He returned from the war, as my Grandmother has said, a changed man, though he eventually won her heart again and they married. While beginning a family, he attended college and got a degree in accounting. During his time as an accountant, he served as a treasurer for a number of years in his town and only worked at one job. He and his wife built a family of five children and moved a couple of times to accommodate them all. He finally retired at the age of 55 and having no children at home, began to travel the world with my Grandmother. They've visited most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and more. My Grandfather was alive long enough to not only see grandchildren, but great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren. My memories as a child were that he always had time for each grandchild. I can't think of very many grandparents that have sat and played as many video games with a grade school kid as he did, or who was just as willing to play catch or discuss stocks with a 10-year-old. He would also surprise me as I made my way through high school when he showed me the clippings in the newspaper about me that he had saved. His life is not something to be mourned. It's something to be envied, I only hope that I can live as fully as he has and that I can be as good of a person as he has been. That I can lead a life that can be so envied. The world lost an amazing person last night, and it should be noted.
You have some great memories that you will have for the rest of your life treasure them. Very sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss of such a great person. What a blessing you were given to have him in your life. I hope you will have a hand in writing his obituary because you have a tremendous talent for expressing in words what many are unable to. Your writing seems to be a fitting tribute. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Fletch, I'll be talking at his funeral on Saturday along with the first born grandson of each of his children. I just hope that what I have to say will help others understand who he was, and that I'll be able to help them through some of this. Thanks to everybody else for the kind words as well.
Very sorry to hear this. I lost all my grandparents by the time I was 12 years old. Grandparents are a big part of ones life, I wish I could've experienced more time with mine. God bless.
I am very sorry for your loss, it sounds like your Grandfather was an incredible man. I dont need to tell you to be grateful for time you had with him, your post shows you already are. Alot of people including myself would give up alot to have a relationship with thier Grandfather like that.
It's never easy to lose a loved one. Your grandfather sounds like an amazing person. It's incredible the impact people can have on the lives of others. It's very easy to get caught up in the mourning and sadness associated with losing a loved one. One must however, take solace in the fact that they were living and witnessed greatness, a person that at any time of the day can both bring a smile to your face, and a tear to your eye. Again I'm sorry for your loss, family dinners will never be the same, but you were in the company of greatness, something very few people in life will ever get to experience.
Sorry for your loss. Your post reminds me of a sermon I heard once about "Leaving a Legacy." I hope I leave this world having made a positive impact on those left here. Your Grandpa did just that.
