Happy Birthday! Thinking of you today and decided to honor your military service with this new theme and a picture of you in uniform.

It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since you made your transition or as we veterans might say - a promotion to glory and your last PCS (Permanent Change of Station). Your family continues to thrive and grow and your example of hard work and dedicated service continues to inspire the next generations. Rest in Peace! You have served your family and the nation well! 

February 26, 2023

Happy "92nd" Birthday Dad!!!

Hard to believe that you would have been 92 today and gone from this material world almost 10 years now.

Gone from this world but not from our hearts,

xxoo karen

I watched the video we made for your memorial service (now here on this web site)--so many memories! Of you and your laugh, that flash of bright blue eyes, the joy you took in your family, children. grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

You left a legacy for us dad. I'm still teasing it out even after the nine years since you passed through to the next part of life's journey. But I know for certain that you gave us the most important gift anyone can give: yourself, and your love for all of us. You modeled for us the value of hard work, resilience in the face of adversity, and faith in God.

Today, I was able to watch/listen to the video with a smile. I miss you still, but you are forever in my heart. Thank you for being with me even now. 

Happy Birthday daddy!

As I took my morning walk on a rare non-rainy and almost spring-like day, I looked out at the water and thought of you. Found myself smiling at your visit here back in the 1980's when a friend of ours took you out to fish for halibut and how delighted you were to land one (the picture of which is in this gallery). Or taking you out to the Shrine at the end of the road during the height of summer salmon spawning, fish thick enough to block seeing below the water's surface. To which you said something like, "Wow, I could walk on water, just like Jesus!" And while that's likely not the exact quote, it's close enough to bring you back to me, for yet another moment. For which I am grateful. Thanks, dad. Miss you.

Another year has gone by since you made your transition and it is good visit this site to look at old pictures and the tributes that others have left behind. Your extended family are well and I hope you are resting easy knowing that you have made a positive and lasting contribution to this world. 

Dad - Hard to believe it's been 8 years since you left us :-( 

I miss you more each passing day.....My heart aches as much today as it did 8 years ago and still each time something happens, good or bad, there is always a passing thought of wishing you were here to laugh with or share your words of wisdom. Every day I am reminded of you as I look in the mirror and see your eyes in mine. Miss you dad!!!xxoo

I spent some time watching the video we did at your memorial, dad. It now mostly makes me smile. Lots of good memories of you, mom and our family.
When you first passed, "Forever Missed" didn't have video capabilities. Now that they do, I've posted up this montage of the Ware clan.
Missing you, and holding you in my heart,

Patty

Thinking about you today and called Mom to remind her that it has been 7 years since you made the final roll call. She is hanging in there but she tells me that she misses you. We all do.

Thinking of you today on your birthday and grateful for all that you did for your family. 

HAPPY 89TH BIRTHDAY DAD!!

have been thinking about you all day!

As always, xxoo

   You would have been 89 today, but I truly believe you are in a better place. Today, in addition to your birthday, is also Ash Wednesday--the first day of Lent. So, on this day, I said a prayer of gratitude for you, dad, for all that you gave to us, particularly the gift of our family. I know that my appreciation of my own family is an extension of what I learned from you and mom.
   And though I know we are all on different paths and not as close as we once were, I pray for the blessing of peace for all my siblings. If there is such a thing as angels, may they show us how to forgive and grant us the gift of grace.

Patty

Thinking of you today and called Mom to remember your life together. She can't believe it has been six years since you were promoted to glory and she misses you daily. She said you were a pain in the ass sometimes but you were HER pain in the ass and she loved you. I guess that is just like her and she knows how much you loved her.

Hard to believe it is 6 years today! :-(
I miss you every day and wish so much that you were here to listen to my woes of the day!! As always I wear my necklace with your picture today as remembrance of this day and how much you are missed

Thinking of you a lot lately... Thinking of all the incredibly great times we all shared together in this crazy family and how you were always smiling no matter what. Your personality was infectious an your charm could warm the coldest of hearts. You were something special, Grandpa... If I even become a small fraction of the man, lover, father, and human you were, I'd be doing far better than the rest of the World. I miss you.

Dad, It is hard to believe that it has been 5 years since you made your transition and got promoted to glory! I talked to Mom today and she still misses you - her Valentine. Until we meet again . . .

My heart is heavy every day that I think of you but especially today! Oh how I wish you were here...:-(
....karen

Hi Grandpa - Always thinking about you and miss you greatly.

Thinking about you Grampa, miss you bud! <3

Good morning Dad! What a sad day it is for our family. Today marks 3 years that we lost you and as I write every year on your anniversary I miss you just as much today as I did 3 years ago. :-( :-(

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you...I have your picture in almost every room and talk to you every day. Know that you are in my thoughts every day but especially today! 

I posted the following on father's day and though it would be apropo to write it again on your anniversary to remind us all of what you wanted: A few months back, I happen to be going (actually snooping behind mom's back) through your wallet specifically looking for that beautiful bare shoulder picture of mom (which has mysteriously disappeared) because Patty and I were beginning to put together a "save the date" card for a surprise birthday party for Mom.

Anyway, in the midst of what was left, I found a tattered piece of paper all folded up with your handwriting on the back of it that said "TO BE READ AT MY FUNERAL"...well you can imagine how sorrowful I felt at that moment that I/we never knew of these wishes. So, as suggested by Patty, I have saved this in my wallet for this day. On this day, I want to honor your wishes by saying/typing it now for all to read. The tattered paper read:

"I believe had I been given the chance to say some last words, that I would have chosen the following words of Randal Hohr:

A time will come when my life will cease. But when that time comes I ask that you remember these things:

...Bury my body but don't bury my beliefs.
...Bury my heart but don't bury my love.
...Bury my eyes but not my vision.
...Bury my feet but not the path of my life.
...Bury my hands but don't bury my diligent efforts.
...Bury my shoulders but not the concerns I carried.
...Bury my voice but not my message.
...Bury my mind but don't bury my dreams.
...Bury me but don't bury my life.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults and my weaknesses. But let my life continue on in you."

So Dad, there you have it! Your life and legacy will continue to live on through your seven children, 14 grandchildren and now 6 great grandchildren.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you Dad. I miss you terribly. Theres a space in my heart that just can't be filled, it remains empty since you passed. I feel your presence and know that you are with me. The angel on my shoulder. Im trying to keep the promises I made to you, Dad. As you know, its very difficult for me, but I will never stop trying……. for you. As I write this, my heart is aching…..but I will get through this just like everything else. I love you Dad.

I think of you often and how you helped shape the man I am today. Thanks for everything. Happy Birthday, Grandpa.

Happy Birthday Grandpa. I think about you all the time gramps, I miss you dearly. I miss your big smile, energetic laughs and silly jokes. <3 xoxo

Happy Birthday! I thought of you today as I passed by the puzzle I have from you hanging on the wall and I paused and reflected on all the fun times and many laughs you shared. I am so happy that you were a part of my life. We all miss you!

Happy Birthday Dad. 831

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMPA! MISS YOU SO MUCH BUDDY! <3

Thought about you all day today, dad-- I went to mass and lit a candle in your honor. Your birthday is special because it reminds me of the gifts you gave to us. Miss you still. Happy B-Day!

Love, Patty

""The Chain"  (Sign of the Cross Dad wore around his neck)
Shared by Kathy Vanadia on 06/15/2014

                        Little I knew
                       that morning,
                       God was going
                  to call your name, in life we
               loved you dearly, in death we do the
               same. It broke our hearts to lose you,
              you did not go alone, for part of me went
    with you, the day God called you home. You left us beautiful
               memories, your love is still our guide,
                       and though we
                       cannot see you,
                       you are always
                      by our side. Our
                        family chain
                       is broken, and
                      nothings seems
                      the same, but as
                      God calls us one
                      by one, the chain
                       will link again."

miss you so much. it is so quiet without you. Stopped by your gRave with Karen tod

"The Chain"  (Sign of the Cross Dad wore around his neck)
Shared by Kathy Vanadia on 06/15/2014

                        Little I knew
                       that morning,
                       God was going
                  to call your name, in life we
               loved you dearly, in death we do the
               same. It broke our hearts to lose you,
              you did not go alone, for part of me went
    with you, the day God called you home. You left us beautiful
               memories, your love is still our guide,
                       and though we
                       cannot see you,
                       you are always
                      by our side. Our
                        family chain
                       is broken, and
                      nothings seems
                      the same, but as
                      God calls us one
                      by one, the chain
                       will link again.

I thought about you a great deal this weekend. I always called you first on Father's Day. Love and miss you Grandpa!!

Been thinking about you... I can't believe a month has already gone by. Each time I look at your puzzle hanging on my wall I hear you saying "How are you sweat heart?" I smile and say we are all doing fine. Keep watching over us all and be sure to say hi to Mom and Dad Martel. Miss you.

Have been thinking about Grandpa so much the last couple of days. I can honestly say I feel his presence with me a lot. I miss you tons!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy! I MISS YOU!!! Love You, Kathy

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD" I KNOW YOU ARE UP THERE WITH AUNTIE BEA AND THE REST OF THE CLAN SMILING DOWN.

THINKING OF YOU AND MISS YOU MORE & MORE EACH PASSING DAY. XXOO

Carroll had been our neighbor for many years in Chicopee,he was a wonderful man always willing to lend a hand if needed.He was always so very proud of the Family he had and of his Loving Wife Olive.I am sure that he is looking down on each and everyone of his Family. Rest In Peace Carroll  !!!!!

I’ve had the privilege of being included in the collective Ware family world over nearly four decades. Through the chaos and noise of another large family (I too have five siblings), I could see how much Carroll loved his wife Olive, all his kids, and later their kids. He seemed like a tough taskmaster at first, but that impression was quickly erased by his smile. But even more, his eyes gave away the fact that he was part pixie and part softy. He was a very inclusive person, and he always made me feel welcome. 

My heart goes out to each child, grandchild, friend, and extended family member of Carroll’s. Everyone had a relationship with Carroll, yet each person had a unique connection. Whatever your experience, I hope you can benefit from the stories and memories and collective interaction with one another at this time and going forward. Along with tears there are a lot of laughs to be had. And Carroll wouldn’t want it any other way.

Finally, I extend my best to Olive and to good and longtime friend Al. I wish I could be there with you. I am very sorry for the loss of your husband and your dad.

Rita Spence