To my only sibling. We were 13 months apart and you were my partner in crime. I will always be grateful to you for helping me raise Nathan and being such a great influence. I am so thankful you also gave him Adam and Kelly as cousins, and also Donna to spoil him. Such a great uncle. I will forever miss the only person in life I had to share my childhood with. Knowing you knew God and you are not in pain is the only thing that makes this easier. Until we meet again. Love you sister, Laureen.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I grew up with a few adults I consider to be my heroes. Uncle Al was my superhero when I was a kid. When I'd have a bad day after school, or needed life advice, he was there for me. When I got older, he was there for me too. Uncle Al was my role model. Someone I learned from and admired and watched like a hawk when I was little, trying to learn what was right and wrong, what was cool, what was safe and what was dangerous. I think a lot of my humor and style goes back to something he liked or he showed me.

But more than that, he showed me generosity. He'd always tip generously at restaurants, talk kindly to those out and about, give his time to help take care of our cars and check-in to make sure we got somewhere safe. Taught people to think about their safety because he cared, and always had a way to make someone laugh.

He showed me kindness to animals, respect to others, and fairness in all things. Lessons that have stuck with me and helped me. There's a part of me that thinks, "What would Uncle Al do?", and I can't let him down. He lives in me, I think, like all role models do.

Our lives get woven into the lives of others, and parts of us stay behind to work through other's hands. Uncle Al and I both faced problems when we were younger, and thankfully, I had Uncle Al to help guide me. And he showed me that the proper response to suffering is kindness.

Uncle Al was a kind, generous, fair, and respectful person. He taught me right and wrong, not just through his words, but by his actions. And he loved me. I love Uncle Al, and I can think of no better honor we can show him than to act in kindness, in generosity, and in fairness. And to remember to him when we laugh, or see Evel Knieval, or a really cool Harley Davidson.

I love my Uncle Al, and he loves me. I will miss him, and he will live with me for the rest of my life.

I love you alan, with all my heart and soul. I'll spend the rest of my life missing you and remembering you. ♥️