Hearing from friends and family ...
Many of you passed along fond memories of our Dad (& Mom), and kind thoughts toward those of us who survive them. Here's just a smattering...
Dad had a special love for his younger sister, Martha, who died at 50, way too young. He transferred that enduring affection to her children, one of whom wrote, “I loved Uncle John deeply, and I cherish the memories I have of all the time the two of us spent together in NYC, as well as when he visited me on Long Island, I will miss him so much.”
Robert's daughter, Jenni, remembered her Uncle John's “intuitive wisdom [adding] I have loved and respected him. My father and mother loved him too.” Her mom, Aunt Sylvia, was “so glad that Robert [John's brother] and he spent a day together before he moved to Chicago ... [remembering that] John also called me and Jenni every day for 2 to 3 weeks after Robert died.”
Anne was our parents first babysitter in White Plains and along with her husband, Dick, became lifelong friends. She wrote to remind us that John “got me my job at G. M Basford advertising in 1959. He was in the PR Dept ... the only place we missed visiting was Mich ... other than that, we never lost touch ... [John] was unique and filled my family and me with wonderful memories ...”
Sr. Catherine wrote from her mission base in Africa, “I was fond of your Dad and always appreciated how he and your Mom took in Grandpa Molloy. Your Dad always thought Grandpa was the best.”
One of Mom's best friends, Celine, remembered John as “...really a ‘great’ guy...handsome and fun.”
John and Katy's Maplewood buddies, the Taylor's, wrote, “John was such a good friend.” And the son of John's best man, Joe, also wrote to say, “It was a pleasure to have known your Dad and had him close to us. He was as a father to me when I was young and will be greatly missed.”
Another couple, the Welter's, also used the ‘U’ word in remembering Dad to us. “He was our friend for many years, and always made us laugh + listen! His mind was sharp & Unique & we enjoyed him. Also, your Mom was a darling...”
Finally, this just came in from a woman named Vicky, whom we've never met. “I am your second cousin! My dad was Joe's [i.e. our grandfather's] younger brother, Tom. We thought Easter moved the family to Florida after Uncle Joe died. It is so exciting to find that you were all actually close by. I wish we had known growing up. Our dad ... had such great stories of how ... he and Joe shared a bedroom at the top of 289 W. Houston Street, where in winter the water in the sink basin would be frozen solid by morning! [He] was always so proud of his older brother, and when he became a dentist, always treated policemen free of charge. He was an honorary ‘police surgeon’ and had police honor guard at his funeral. When my oldest son, Colin, was in 8th grade we visited Washington DC with his class and found Uncle Joe's name at the police memorial there. We have all, always, been so proud of him.”
Thanks to all who wrote, or emailed, and remembered!