Mom, Tonya and I would like to thank you all for being here today to celebrate my dad's life. Dad, as you all know, was such a wonderful person. It's hard to know where to start when describing his life and his accomplishments.
Dad was born on September 9th, 1940, and lived a full life. He was 71 when he passed away last Saturday. Mom and Dad were happily married 46 years. Dad was born and raised in Newport News, and lived the past 24 years in Poquoson. He loved Poquoson. Dad worked as a shoe salesman when he was young, then worked for the Newport News Shipyard as a pipefitter and draftsman, and later as an engineering technician for the Navy. He retired in 2008. Dad, of course, had two kids (Tonya and me), and two grandkids (Alyssa &and Lauren). He has been a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son.
I'm sure each of you has fond memories of dad. I have so many, but would like to share a few that are special to me…
Our family took a vacation one year that Dad planned. It was a trip to Disney World. That's all Dad said – we're going to Disney World. What could be better than that? Dad had a plan. Not only did we go to Disney world - we were all over the state of Florida. Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Silver Springs, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and St. Augustine. It was a long road trip and one of the most memorable vacations ever.
As you all know, Dad had personality! He had a way to make everyone laugh. Even in the hospital earlier this month when he was in pain, there were moments when he made us laugh. It was very important to Dad that he never wear socks and shoes unless absolutely necessary, so when he gave the nurse a hard time, we threatened to put socks and shoes on him. As a matter of fact, Dad is not wearing socks or shoes today – he is comfortable and happy. Dad and I had fun teasing each other.
Dad was always there when I needed him. He put up this great basketball court in our backyard when I was a kid. Not just a basketball court - he actually custom-made a fiberglass backboard, mounted it on a very sturdy 6” pipe, and set it in cement. I think this was his way of keeping me home – friends came to our house because I had the best basketball court around. He didn't realize that this would drive Mom crazy though – the sound of us bouncing a basketball constantly didn't go over too well. Dad was also the assistant leader of my Cub Scout troop and helped me with Pinewood derby, kite competitions, and we had a great time on Cub Scout camping trips.
Dad bought me a car when I first learned to drive. He drove me to someone's house, paid for the car, then threw me the keys and said, "It's yours – drive it home." I was pretty excited until I learned the car had a manual transmission and I had only driven an automatic. I'm sure he had a blast watching me in his rear-view mirror all the way home grinding gears, stalling, and revving the engine.
I will always be grateful to Dad for his guidance in getting me interested in going to college. I still remember our conversations at the kitchen table in the fall of my high school year. At 17, I was a total goofball and had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. Dad just kept asking me questions, about what I enjoyed in high school, about what things I thought I was good at. I'm not sure he had a plan, but he was persistent and focused. Thanks, Dad.
Many of you may know that Dad loved to dance. He had rhythm – naturally. I never saw him practice – he just had talent. He and Mom enjoyed dancing, and were known to put on a show. Dad knew I had two left feet and didn't bother trying to teach me to dance.
Dad wore bright, stylish clothing; he loved to wear gold jewelry. He was a shopper. He loved coming to visit us in Fairfax and to shop in the malls in northern Virginia. Most of all, he enjoyed shopping for others though especially at Christmas-time.
Dad bought a boat a while back and put it to good use for many years. He, the family, and friends had a great time fishing in Back Bay and the Chesapeake Bay. This was Dad's hobby – boating & fishing. Dad and his best friend, Pete Hall, put many nautical miles on the boat and had many good times. I'll never forget the first time he took Alyssa and Lauren out on the boat. He was so proud to have his granddaughters with him. He wanted to impress the girls and show them how fast the boat would go, and nearly scared them to death. They had never been on a motor boat before, and certainly not at 20 knots speed.
For many years, a vacation to Hawaii was on Dad's bucket list. He always wanted to go, but Mom was afraid of flying. Finally, Mom relented and they went to Hawaii and had the time of their lives, with their friends Pete and Betty Hall. They also went a second time and again enjoyed themselves, this time with Tonya. Dad wanted to go a third time. Maybe he is doing the hula right now in heaven – who knows?
The one thing I admired most about my father was his compassion for people in need. I will be forever grateful for the way he treated both of my grandmothers when they were ill. He was a natural caregiver, and never wavered in his commitment to be there for both of them. He was there for me when I was hospitalized as a kid, he has done so much for Mom when she was sick, and the same for Tonya.
Dad was a family man and a people-person. He loved spending time with me, Tonya, Mom, his grandkids, my wife Maria, and the extended family. He valued friendships and neighbors greatly.
Dad will be remembered for many things, his love for family and friends, his fun-loving spirit, his humor, his strength, his compassion. He lived a full life and accomplished much. We will all truly miss him…