Thank you Dad for the life that you gave us. I can't think of a better testomonial to your memory than the legacy you left behind. Although you are not visibly present in this family picture, you were there. I see your presence in each and every one of your childrens' faces. When I look at their smiles, I see your smile. When I hear their laughter, I hear your laughter. When I see their love for life and their desire to share it with others, I see that it was put there by you. Your presence will forever be carried in our hearts. I love you for the man you were.

As Christian Stephen Sparks made this video, I thought of his Grandpop. Thanks for the the memories,  Dad. 'Three little words'

From great-niece, Katie Z., responding to me, Jeanette S.:

'So I got your email and listened to the recording of Uncle Steve, Aunt Aggie and you. That was so great,thank you for sharing that. I was thinking about how I don't have stories necessarily to tell about him just memories of things. Like him pitching the soft ball games and him cutting the grass in the retenion area which made me think of how much he did for all of us. What he gave us, he worked so hard to create a world for us that gave us such joy and happy memories. That is what I think of him anyway:)'

Even though Steve and I were 10 years apart I remember being in the living room, he was sitting on the couch and I was across from him and we were trying to get our younger brother Joe to start walking between us.  I still have that image in my head and am reminded of it everyonce in a while.

I can remember one Christmas coming downstairs very early to see what Santa brought and there was Steve sitting in the corner chair just looking at the lit tree and just loving the peace and quite of the moment.  He was still dressed in a suit from midnight mass.  If anything we all loved Christmas at our house, and couldn't wait for our father to break out the trains and decorate our living room.

And then of course when I would walk home from school and he and his teenage friends sitting on the steps outside, would break out in song "Alexander's Rag Time Band" when I would pass, they just loved teasing me. 

Steve was one of the boys on the block, when we moved in 1952.

He was our Pitcher even then, throwing his curveball using his knuckles ( how he ever got to that we never knew. There are stories we could all tell, but space won't allow.

Glad to know he had a full, if not abbreviated life, rest easy my friend.

"Bill"