Not everyone knew my dad the way his family did knew him. Just by looking at him you may think he was big and tough and in a lot of ways he was, But that wasnt the case at all. You certainly wouldnt want to play 'Mercy" or have a thumb war with him. His strong hands and that sideways knuckle crunch ended the games before they even begun. He taught me how to ride and bike and how to drive. I remember him taking me to practice down by the res in Auburndale in his giant wood paneled station wagon. The same wagon he trapped my head in the window because he thought it was funny. Funny for him maybe. (thanks dad)

He was my best friend, he was my dad.

I loved hearing him tell jokes and stories about when he was a child and the mischif he, his brother and his friends would get into. I could see in his eyes when he would tell me a story how much he wished he was a kid again running the bases of the ball field he used to play on.

He had a happy life, with friends who cared about him and a loving family who may not have been perfect but were perfect for him and he never made us feel anything but loved and appreciated.

  He was stubborn, and sometimes grumpy but it never lasted long and I knew the way to make him smile by cooking him one of his favorite meals, or giving him a hug. He would say, "thanks kid, love you" Or "thank you my dear" What I wouldnt give to hear him say that to me one more time. 

My dad loved music. I would watch him sit in his car when he drove up the driveway from work and he would sit in his car and sing along with the radio and what ever song was playing. He talked about his records from when he was younger, and how he wished he still had them not knowing what happend to most of them from his youth he was always really dissapointed he lost them along the way. But the Beatles were his favorite, and if you wanted to make him cry youd just have to put on a Abba song and it reminded him of his mother. I always remeber him and my mother dancing and listening to music when I was very little and him playing the "oldies" in the car. It shaped the way I appeciate music today and im proud that I can say I got my taste in music from him and my mom. 

I'm so sad to lose you dad. I hope you are at peace with your mother, I know being with her was what you wanted the most and you can listen to Abba together and cry because you are happy.