Dad spent much of his life teaching me.
Teaching me to have fun, laugh and not take life too seriously; 
Teaching me to play basketball and showing me the finer points of a layup in our driveway in Mansfield in the dark;   
Teaching me that when you make a mistake (no matter how big), look forward, apologize and do whatever it takes to fix it - don't dwell;
Teaching me to be competitive and also to be a good sport; (he loved saying "winner winner, chicken dinner");
 and teaching me so many more life lessons. I am still a work in progress but am grateful for the time he spent with me and his high expectations.  :)
     Dad loved golf and was happy on the golf course with his buddies. He taught me to golf and also taught my sons. He bought them cokes and took them to the golf range. This world feels duller and less fun without dad here.
     Best Lesson - dad taught us all kindness, tolerance and understanding for all people, regarless of your how much money you had, your sexual preference, race, religion, or whatever mistakes you had made in the past. Live and let Live he said. Be Nice he said. 
      Dad saw the Chicago Cubs win and that surely made him happy. 
      Tonight I shall drink a Heineken and eat some salami, pastrami, or something with an ami, which he loved, and smile and feel grateful to have such a rock in my life for so many years.    I love you dad. 

I don't really know where to start.  There are so many great memories.  In 1980 we moved to Mansfield and lived across the street from the Bernoski family. What fun we had!  Jim and Bob were friends and so were Rita and I.  We would often go out to dinner on Fridays and Bob usually drove.  If you've ever been a passenger in Bob's car, you know how fast he drove!  We'd be careening down the road, all three of them smoking, and I'd be thinking, "well this is it....we're going to orphan ten kids tonight!" But we always made it.  Not only did we have fun together, but we supported each other.  If there was trouble, we knew they would be there for us.  If you were Bob's friend, he would always be on your side no matter what......even if you were wrong or stupid.   He would be your champion and take on the world.  When Bob and Jim started telling golf stories and joking around it was just laugh out loud time.  I remember one time we were all going to church together on Easter Sunday.  We got there early to get seats and all of the Bernoski's and Crowe's filled up a big pew.  As things progressed, Bob and Jim stood to give their seats to a pregnant lady and her child. They looked so handsome in their suits....Rita and I just looked at each other and thought how lucky we were to be married to such thoughtful and beautiful men.  I am so sorry to hear of Bob's sudden death and I know I speak for my entire family when I say that we are hurting for you all.  We love you and hope to see you soon.  

I HAVE KNOWN BOB SINCE WE WENT THRU GRADE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER. WE HAVE ALWAYS STAYED FRIENDS. I WAS BEST MAN AT HIS FIRST MARRIAGE. WE  HAD MORE FUN DOING ALL KINDS OF CRASSY THINGS WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, AND OLD. I WILL MISS HIM. I HOPE HE IS UP THERE HAVING A DRINK ON US. SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE, HAVE A DRINK READY. YOUR FRIEND HERB OTTO

If it seems too good to be true, then it is.
                                                -Robert Bernoski 
I always like that he didn't say the common "it probably is". He said "then it is". Very Bob!

If you are not going to do it right, don't do it at all.
                                                    - Robert Bernoski

My Dearest Dad,

I see you.
I see your years of hard work.
I see your sacrifice.
I see your determination, character, and commitment to honesty.
I see your intestinal fortitude—that’s guts.
I see your magnanimous ways, your patience, your wit.
I see your compassion, forgiveness and dedication to family.
I see your big heart, your warm hugs, and your gentle hands.
I see your quiet strength.

I see all of these things in the way that you raised me and in they way you’ve lived your life.  I see them in myself and in your granddaughters.

I haven’t always been able to see these things—such is the way of a self-centered growing child. But I can see them now. They make me deeply grateful and immensely proud that you were my father.

Thank you. I know that will never be enough, but I will say it anyway. Thank you a million times for all that you’ve given me and taught me.

I love you and you will live in my heart every day for the rest of my life. 

Laura