RIP Thread

[des1954]

WOW! What a handsome man! Along with those looks appeared to be a man of great integrity, Phyllis. It's no surprise that many, many people came to honor him.

RIP, George.

 

[RvUsa]

OK, I'm not to big of a man to tell everyone, I have misty eyes reading that Phyllis. I don't know what to say, the only thing that I can think of is selfish, I hope that when I go, Matt has half the great memories of me, that you have of your dad.

I am at a loss for words.... I just have this overwhelming need to give you a hug....

 

[ftwildernessguy]

A great tribute to someone who was obviously a great human being. May his legacy live on.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I also have tears in my eyes from reading it. Sounds like he was a wonderful man.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Phyllis....his obvious greatness shines brightly through you. Im honored to be aquainted with you. Even if you DO make something blow into my eyes more than anyone else on the boards!!

 

[Just Beachy]

Phyllis, what a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I had to stop crying to type this. He was obviously a wonderful man. Through your many posts about your Dad, I almost feel like I knew him. And those who were lucky enough to have met him, were undoubtedly the better for it. What a great husband, father and friend he was. I know there is nothing we can say to lessen your pain, but please know that we are all here for you...praying and thinking of you and your family. Consider yourself hugged until I can give you a real hug this summer.

 

[Gatordad]

A great tribute to someone who was obviously a great human being. May his legacy live on.

I don't think that will be a problem.... it already does!

 

[BRDof3]

Beautiful Phyllis. In a very short time on Earth, he touched a lot of people. Bless you.

 

[ntsammy5]

Thanks for sharing that Phyllis.

 

[stacktester]

The part about the waving the wing got me. I can't deny it brought tears to my eyes. A great story and obviously a great life. One can only hope to leave a legacy such as your dad Phyllis.

 

[AuburnJen92]

If everyone had a dad as special as yours, it would make this world a truly wonderful place to be each and every day. Stay strong Phyllis.

 

[LORNADUCK]

I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. What a great man, I work for someone similar and I envey somone with such a big heart.
What wonderful memories you and your family have.

 

[ntsammy5]

Retired Col. Lewis L. Millett, who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading what was reportedly the last major American bayonet charge, died Nov 14. RIP Colonel, RIP.

 

[Gatordad]

RIP Colonel.

 

[2goofycampers]

Phyllis, I am so glad you were born to your Dad, it was a match made in heaven.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Rest In Peace
Gene Barry. He was the actor who played "Bat Materson" on the TV series.
(a very long time ago) Mr.Barry was 90.

 

[des1954]

Rest In Peace
Gene Barry. He was the actor who played "Bat Materson" on the TV series.
(a very long time ago) Mr.Barry was 90.

Wow! That caught me by surprise. I thought he died a long time ago. I loved Bat Masterson.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Ya know Deb, I got to think'n maybe I shouldnt have posted that. Kinda makes me feel like I'm show'n my age,,I'll beat not many folk on these boards remember "Bat Masterson".

 

[homebrew2]

Ya know Deb, I got to think'n maybe I shouldnt have posted that. Kinda makes me feel like I'm show'n my age,,I'll beat not many folk on these boards remember "Bat Masterson".

Just 'cause yer social security number is 6 don't mean yer old Frank

 

[agnes!]

George J. Haggerty, November 21 2009.

He left us on a beautiful clear crisp November evening. Stars shining brightly in the sky. "Clear sailing" he would have said. I held his hand as he took his last breath. He left this world in his own home, with his family around him, holding my hand.

I kept my promise Daddy.

I just wanted to thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies and condolences. Please know, they have meant a great deal to me. I haven't had much time in the last few days to reply, but I did get a chance to read through them very late last night and they touched my heart. I told Deb earlier that there must have been hundreds of people turn out for Dad's wake. I was kind of surprised given the short notice and the holiday week that so many people came. Some driving eight hours over night and others booking very expensive last minute flights during Thanksgiving week.
...yet they had to be there. Everyone of them with a story about how my dad had touched their lives with his generous heart and kind spirit. We burried dad today. It was tough..and I guess I'm feeling some what melancholy so forgive me my ramblings. (it may be the wine too!)

Dad was an advertureous soul to be sure. Swam the depths of the ocean and soared above the clouds in his plane.
He even tried skydiving once, but my mom did put her foot down and ask him not to do that again.
He came from nothing. A self made, self educated man. He loved his books and passed his love of reading down to my son. He had an extensive library, and it was the focal point of his home. Mom and dad spent their first married Christmas in a car, because they had eloped as kids at age 15 and 16. They didn't have a supportive family to help them out..my dad worked his butt off to provide for his family and eventually bought his own business..which then turned into three others.

He was a tough boss, but he was fair. Never turned down an employee if he asked for a loan. These were before the days of easy credit, when if you didn't have the cash, your family did without. He knew what it was to do without. Despite his accomplishments, he never forgot where it was he came from. Even when our long time book keeper would tell him not to lend an employee any more money. He'd tell her that if a man had to swallow his pride to ask him for a loan...then that was good enough for him. As long as he had it to lend, he would. There wasn't any note to sign, or interest for that matter. Just a hand shake.

He was of small stature, but a giant of a man. He lit up a room. When George was there..you knew it. He wasn't a saint...(although I guess you'd never know that by me..I was daddy's girl, till his dying day, probably until mine too.) When he was wrong..he manned up, and told you so. There was never a burden to big for him to bare. Your burdens were his burdens. There was nothing you couldn't do if you had him in your corner.
He became a grandpa at a youthful age of 40, and told me that was life's reward for being a parent. I was luckier than my siblings in that my older son was born when dad was young..and he delighted in doing with him the things he didn't have time for with us, because he was working so hard.

When he had his stroke 12 years ago, I thought it would be the physical limitations that would bother him most. Nope..it was that his being aphasic prevented him from reading his books. I'd often find him in his library, browsing the pages of one of his books. He so missed the written word.

Like all of us, he knew tragedy in his life..but he knew great joy as well. He was a charmer, a dreamer, an adventurer. He loved his family. He had touched more lives, than I ever realized. Today, the Attorney General for New York State, Andrew Coumo came to dad's funeral. Dad had given him his first job working in dad's first gas station in Hollis Queens. I remember as a girl my dad telling me how he came to know Mario Cuomo (former NYS governor) when they'd play stick ball at the station on a slow Sunday afternoon.
He was the head of the family. Bigger than life. Only he grew tired, and he made it very clear to me in September that he wanted to stop fighting. He was more worried for us ..not himself. That we would be alright without him.
At the wake my brother asked me to speak. It was short notice and I didn't have anything prepared. I looked out at that crowd, and frankly my legs felt a little wobbly. I remembered something I had posted here on the Dis during the summer when we had been camping at the beach.
As we lay on the beach my nephew and I heard the sounds of low flying planes in the sky. We watched as they performed acrobatic manuevers out over the ocean.
I told those gathered yesterday how that had remined me of a time when I vacationed with my own family in Lake George. Dad who loved Lake George, and had brought us there many times, decided to fly up and join us for the weekend. That afternoon when Grandpa had left...we were swimming in the cove. We suddenly heard the sound of a low flying plane. The engine drone was unmistakeable. Looking up at the clear blue sky there was his plane..flying low, coming in over the cove... tipping it's wings from one side to the other. My son, who was 10 at the time asked me "what's that?". I waved up at the plane, as I knew it was my dad. I told my son.."that's grandpa, he's waving goodbye". I told them yesterday that I think my dad is finally free. Free to soar through the skies again. He was coming in low and tipping the wings for a final goodbye..and then he was gonna soar.
I know I've rambled long enough..but again wanted to thank those of you who have taken the time to post..and for the private messages. It really does help. Thought you might want to see a photo of my dad. It was taken of him 12 years ago..at Christmas, a month before his stroke. This is the way he'd want me to think of him, and one I'd like to share with you.

I was intrigued by the title to this thread and stopped by to see what it was about and Phyllis, I don't think I know you from the boards but I just wanted to say that I think your tribute to your Daddy is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read on the DIS and maybe anywhere.

Thanks for sharing.
agnes!