I had your ashes in my suitcase in a double Baggie. I think the TSA thought you were a block of cocaine. My bag was search and your bag of ashes were open. I could just see you laughing and making jokes. I keep you in my heart every where I travel and I take you with me. Enjoy the ride..........
Uncle Rick lightened everyone's day whether it was a joke, smile, or big bear hug. He never took anything too seriously and showered his family with love. "Rose" is my middle name and my aunt and uncle's pet name for me. I really don't know how the nickname began, but it's stuck through the years and it continues to make me feel like a five year old all over again. Makes me think back to the loving moments I was lucky enough to be a part of.
Aunt Linda and Uncle Rick made you feel loved just being around them. Whether it was cleaning the pool with Aunt Lin in the summer, which always became a game, riding in the Hot Rod to car shows, or just being around for dinner, they made you feel loved and priveledged to spend time with them.
At camp he was up at the crack of dawn with a mug of coffee sitting at the table greeting us kids as we rolled from bed to be spoiled with another day of fun. He would sit in the middle of the river, claiming his domain of Fonger Rock! Every time I smell a cigar it takes me back to Christmas Eve parties at Aunt Linda and Uncle Rick's when the uncles would drink and smoke cigars in the basement while the kids crammed down all of the cookies my mom and Aunt Pat took hours slaving over.
My Uncle Rick was one of the greatest men I have been privileged to meet, let alone love. Words cannot express how lucky I feel to be born into such an amazing family who not only gets along, but genuinely loves each other's company; never a dull moment when our family is around... My childhood memories are of my family and the love I have been so blessed to recieve from them. I will cherish my thoughts of Uncle Rick for my entire life, words cannot express what an amazing, loving person he was.
Submitted with love from Diana & Barb:
One evening Diana, Kristy, Kelley, Lisa, Linda, Rick & myself were at the Fonger's. It was a beautiful summer evening. The girls were getting ready to leave for their cruise to the islands. We were talking about their upcoming vacation to the Bahama's . Diana was sharing stories & places they might want to visit while in Puerto Rico. As we were all chatting, Rick pipes in to everyone, "Now Girls, don't be bringing home any Puerto Rican boys!" Complete silence for a few seconds until Linda turns to Rick & says " Rick, you do know that Diana is Puerto Rican!" He said "No, she's Italian!" Diana turns to Rick & said "No, I'm Puerto Rican!". With that Rick turns a bright shade of red & apologize's to her. Tells her how sorry he was. With Diana's great sense of humor & comeback she says to him "That's okay, my mom said never to bring home any American boys!" With that we just all burst out laughing. It was a classic moment, PRICELESS!
"THE MEASURE OF A MAN"
Not - How did he die? But - How did he live? Not - What did he gain? But - What did he give?
These are the things that measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not - What was his station? But - had he a heart? And - How did he play his God-given part?
Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer? To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not - What was his church? Not - What was his creed? But - Had he befriended those really in need?
Not - What did the sketch in the newspaper say? But - How many were sorry when he passed away?
These are the things that measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Author: Anonymous
When I think of my brother-in-law, Rick, I smile.
He was the man who showed up with a vanilla milk shake when I was stuck in Passavent Hospital and Matt was down at AGH in Neonatal ICU.
He was the man I called when I was stuck at work and a sick child needed to be picked up at school. I knew all would be taken care of.
He was my son's (Eric) godfather and always had time for him.
He was the man who dressed like a scarecrow with his head stuck in a pumpkin, waiting on his back deck for a chance to scare the kids on Halloween and suceeded royally.
He was the man who got a 3-4y/o (Dan) to sit on an oval rock for hours waiting for a dinosaur to hatch just so he didn't have to chase him around all day. It was his easiest babysitting job.
He was "the strongest man alive" to all of his nephews and nieces because his backhoe could lift or move anything at all. He was thier very own super hero.
Even though I know that Rick has now joined the ranks of Angels and is watching over all of us, I will miss him.
But, when I think of my brother-in-law, Rick, I will continue to smile.
As I lie here thinking about what I have lost, alone, and missing "Big D" so much, I can not be sad:
Sitting around the poker table are Rick, Grandma Opal, Roy, Uncle Jake, Cousin Fred, Aunt Olie, and "Skip". Maybe they let God join them, I bet it is one hell of a game!
And my smile come's back!
Thanks for the ride... It was a hell of a journey!!!
Love you always,
"Sweet Cheeks"
Linda and I always took the kids camping. All 5, her 3 and my 2. Poor Chad. Those girls were not too nice. (they did not know how handsome & nice he would grow up to be then).
Linda had worked all day and then we left for Lake Erie camp ground. I set up the tents and Linda snoozed a little to make up for lack of sleep. The kids and I got it together. Campfire ready , mountain pie maker and snacks galore! Soon Linda woke up from the thunder. The kids went into their tent cause who wants to be around the parents at 13?
I said "Hey Lin, check out the tent next to us". It was billowing from the wind.
As the clouds got thicker, the wind grew stronger . Woosh! the sides of the tent would blow up and then the air would all push out.
I said "I will bet you that tent is not standing in the morning! " They never let the windows open to allow wind to let the air pass through. So us 2 shmucks sat in METAL lawn chairs talking and laughing for hours. Just enjoying the night air and hanging out like only good friends can.
Big booms & then came the Lightning . Then Linda says "I have to get into the truck". I asked "Why"? She replied, "because I promised Richard that I would if it lightnings". And that is how he was . . thinking of his family even when he wasn't along to keep them safe.
So all of the girls and I slept in my van and Linda and Chad slept in the back of the truck.
Ps. Yes that tent blew ass over tin cups & that whole family jammed into their van during the night.
The card table included :
Mom-Opal, Dad-Roy never played.
Brother Dave and wife Linda
Brother Jim and wife Nancy
We would play cards into the late hours most every weekend. Rick would always be out on a date with Linda and arrive home late then join in the card game.
AND WIN EVERYONES MONEY!!!!!
We used to laugh so hard!!!
We did have good times together at the old homestead-
Fonger's Motel on Route 19 in Wexford.
Many of my fondest memories of my dad are engrained with cars. We shared so many great times building cars together and dreaming of when they were done and then going to car shows together. My favorite times were going to swap meets to hunt parts that we needed for our projects. We would be excited for weeks to scour through rusty junk looking for what we needed. I owe him my skills in welding, wrenching, and haggling on car parts.
I'm glad he got to see me get my truck on the road, he was so proud. I was just as proud of him when he got his car done years before and this fueled my passion for old cars. I love driving my truck with all the parts just as they were bought, still with the prices written on them. I remember him teaching me to haggle with the guys over the price, and this was the funnest part. We would be so excited hauling parts back to the car. On the way home we would talk about what we had to do next with our projects and we would always both be so excited. I once remember putting a whole pickup bed in the back of a PT cruiser, and a hood strapped to the roof. That was a fun day!
