Well dad, it's been almost a full year since you passed away......but you will be in our hearts always!

Jim

It gives me great pleasure in displaying my father's University of Georgia class of '42 ring (now restored). I saw the ring for the first time at our gathering in September '10. The center stone was missing....actually broken out of the ring casting and the ring overall needed some restoration and polishing.  It took the power of a microscope at my Jeweler to read the mfr's name on the inside of the band! Loy's engraved initials "L A E" were still visable to the naked eye. Restoration was performed by the Herff Jones Company (the original manfacturer, still in business).The stone shown most likely represents what was originally set in the finished casting , as I did some research. None of the photos of Loy from many years ago show the detail of the ring's stone. I hope that all of you enjoy viewing it (there are two other photos in the gallery). I know that Loy is smiling from above, knowing that his ring has been restored for all of you to view ...........likely for the first time ever.   Why you  might ask? ........because he often spoke with great pride of his University of Georgia, all during his lifetime. This is for you dad! You will always live on in our hearts!                                                       

Love, Jim

I think that if my dad could leave any last words to all of us it might go like this:

"I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one....... I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done...... I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways..... Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days...... I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun...... Of happy memories that I leave...... When life is done...... I will miss you all!"

To my dearest dad.....I think about you often, each and every day......I miss you more that you could ever know.....but I know that you have gone to a better place. You will live on in our hearts!

Love, Jim

This is a true story.

This morning, Sunday, Sept. 12th, 2010 at approximately 10:00 am EST, something truly amazing happenned to me. There were two people standing with me in my driveway (whom I asked to come to my house) when during our conversation, all of a sudden we noticed a beautiful blue/green flourescent colored bird which may have been a pidgeon, that landed within 10 feet of where we were standing. One fellow said to me immediately after the bird landed "Hey look at that beautiful bird.....You know, that is a good sign." He went on to ask me "if something had happended to me or my family very recently". I said "yes....my father died on August 31st  and we attended his wake and funeral just this past Thursday". He then said to me "you know,  this is a sign from god and good luck for you....something very nice will happen to you very soon". This beautiful bird kept watching us for more than five minutes.  I then looked up into the sky and said to these two fellows "If this is a message to me from my dad, then something good has already happened". I could not control myself as it brought tears to my eyes. 

I believe that when someone very close to you passes away, that god may send a message to his loved ones who are feeling much pain for thier loss, to let them know that this person is now in good hands, that you need not worry about  what has happened to them in the afterlife (if you believe in that as I do). Yes, dad, I know that you are now in gods hands. You are there!

We will love you always...........Jim

Here you are dad,

Just 20 years old....wow!

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following date with tears.

But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love and how we spent our dash.

So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left for you to rearrange.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,

And always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,

And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...

Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash,

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

I have many loving memories of our times together. Thank you for supporting me through nursing school. I hope that I have made you proud in my nursing career. Thank you for bringing our family together for many happy moments shared. You will always be in my heart.

Love, "Patty-cake"

I love you very much. You were very special to me. I will always remember the fun times we had together when I would visit you during the many summer vacations. I will always think of you and miss you. You have a special place in my heart. You are in my prayers every night..... I love you!

Your grand daughter, Jamie

Dad enjoyed a Cirque Du Soleil show with Jim, Patty and Jamie in April 2008 when he came to visit us at our home in CT for his 90th birthday. It was so special to have you here on this momentious occasion. Thank you dad for the memories that will last throuugh my life. I love you. You were that best dad that a son could have!

Jim

Dad proudly served his country during WW 2 !

Looks like the Fripp Island Beach Club beyond....this picture taken many years ago.

What a beauty you caught dad !

Dad was a very good fisherman.

That looks like a nice flounder you caught there!

Dad, I never saw this photo of you......In your early years, you looked so much like Dean and Adrian in their youth. They owe their good looks to you!

Here, I see a very honest, caring man whom later we would all come to respect and admire. I admired you dad. I just never showed it enough as I was growing up and I am feeling so sorry for that. You devoted your life to your children. What a great man you were! You were always there for us. 

Love,

Your son,  Jim

Only kidding.....This child is cuddling with dad.

Please tell me another bed-time story.......just one more ......

Yes, here is dad in a swimming pool several years ago (March 1974) enjoying the sun and the water. That sure looks like a can of beer in your hand. Was it a Bud? We'll never know, but  dad knows. Dad was modest drinker....only when the occassion was right. Here's to you dad for being the best dad!

Your loving son, Jim

Here he comes! Dad all dressed-up, ready for the happy wedding reception for Jackie and Anthony.

Here grand daddy is dancing with the bride, Jackie at her wedding to Anthony. What a happy time it was for all !

Here I am with my dad by his bedside during my visit in May 2010. Patty and Jamie are along side in the room. Dad, we could pray for you but we could not save you.

This picture was taken when Jim, Patty and Jamie visited dad at his nursing home in May 2010. Sadly, this would be the last the last time I would see my dad alive.

Here's dad at Grant's restaurant in Hartford, CTwith Jackie and Jamie, celebrating his 90th birthday.....just two years ago!

Jamie get's her turn dancing with her grand daddy.  

Hey dad......I think I got you beat just this once. Huh, not much bigger than yours!

Dad, you could ALWAYS out-fish me!

One late afternoon at dad's Fripp Island home, several years ago.

Left to right: Patty, Jamie, dad, Jim, Jackie....Jill could not be there.

The answer is YES! Grand daddy proudly shows off the fish that he helped Jamie catch in April of 1990. Dad, you made Jamie so happy! Jamie could not have had a more caring, loving grand father. You will always be very special to Jamie. She will always think of you throughout her lifetime.

Grand daddy is giving Jackie a dancing lesson when she was in her early teens.

Yes, even at 88 years old, this grand daddy can dance! Dad is dancing with my oldest daughter Jackie on her wedding day September 23rd 2006. Dad, you made this day even more special........just because you were there! Hey, that's Dean (beyond) taking your picture dad. You know what they say..."a picture is worth a thousand words". How true! This picture says it all. Not only was this day special, I know how much it meant to you dad to take part in this occasion.

Thank you dad!

Jim

Well, you did it dad! You were able to make it to one of your grand children's weddings....The wedding between Jackie and Anthony (Sept 23rd, 2006). We were all so happy that you could be with us for this joyous event. Your presence meant so much to all of us.

From left to right: Patty, Linda, Dad, Bill, Jim, Dean

As a child it was such as treat when Uncle Loy came to visit.  We would sit on his lap and  would listen to he and my dad trade stories of their childhood.  Those two were like peas in a pod.  No one ever had to guess that they were brothers.  On top of that, they were brothers that loved each other very much.  When my dad went to Heaven, my uncle was the one I went to for comfort.  He felt that loss and pain every bit as much as I did.  I was very fortunate to be able to visit with Uncle Loy as Larry and I traveled in our RV.  We loved to have have him for dinner out at the campground.  You know that man loved his food!  He was a joy to know and love.  I was lucky to have a visit with Uncle Loy back in April.  Although he didn't say much, I was able to make him smile by bringing him a chess pie that I had made. 

I hope and pray that Uncle Loy is with my dad up in Heaven and that he knows how much he was loved.

My grandfather was an extradorindarily giving and selfless man who found contentment though leading a simple life. He was frugal and spent little on himself but was extremely generous when it came to his family. He also had an amazing work ethic and he would encourage his grandkids' interest in working summer jobs by matching our earnings dollar for dollar. He taught me the value in saving money long term by buying me a few CDs and stocks at a young age and explaining to me how their value would increase over the years and how important it was to plan for one's retirement. As an adult he taught me about investing in the stock market. Seeing him invest in the market gave me the confidence to trade invidivual stocks. I remember that my grandfather especially loved growing fig trees, watching Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful, which he called his "stories", and reading the newspaper. He was happiest when surrounded by his family with everyone telling stories, teasing each other, and enjoying great food. I'll miss his bear hugs, his warm smile, and his friendship. He was a wonderful role model in my life and I'll never forget him.