DAD.. OUR ROCK , OUR HERO
July 27, 2021
- Dad was born August 24 1949 in Sanger ,CA.to Tom and Vera Duarte .He has 3 brothers 2 of which he grew up with in Lincoln CA the other is his brother from another mother who he met later in life in San Jose CA.In1968 dad and his older brother Ernie enlisted in the service ,Ernie went into the army and dad became a MARINE and was a very proud one at..He met momFrances sometime in between 67 and 68 .They had a baby boy in Sept of 68 but he didn't make it due to premature labor soon after in July of 69 they had me Christine the only daughter that grew up with 4 brothers one born in 70 Anthony and the other 3 Joseph Christopher and Jeffrey followed.They married in Sept of 69 and the journey began..They had a lot of ups and downs throughout the years but always pulled through and let me tell you at times us kids didn't help things much especially when we felt like being difficult ,Dad kept us in line and together and loved us all uncondiontionally ..Feb 9 1987 the first grandbaby was born being young grandparents only made the love they had for us stronger .He later passed that year inDec.Dad was my strength through this and would always tell me "I would b okay" n I never doubted anything DAD would say.He has the biggest heart full of never ending love and loved taking us all on Lil trips and helping others ..He always looked out for everyone including fellow USMC VETERANS till the day he went into the V.A HOSPIITAL .Dad caught Covid-19 and was unable to breath my brother Chris took him to V.a where he was admitted and put on ventilator .He fought for his life in the hospital for 48 days and was about to b released into a rehab for therapy .He was finally able to breath on his own and his lungs were clear But the night of Feb.12 mom was called because complications arose somehow and it was time for mom to let him go .My brothers and I were not allowed to visit dad at all the only person besides mom allowed was my daughter because she works at a hospital and was the one dad's doctor would speak to .What no chance to say goodbye n I love u dad .Mom sat at bedside and held his hand while tears rolled down dad's face knowing he was leaving his 1 and only true love and all of us ..I know when dad went he also went with a broken heart having to leave not only his wife of 51 years and his only daughter an 4 sons but also his 20 grandkids ,20 great grands and 1 great great grandaughter who turned a year old on the day he passed ..DAD HAD NO FAVORITES N LOVED AND SPIOILED EVERYONE N EACH ONE OF US FELT THE SAME ABOUT DAD THERE IS NO ENDING TO THE LOVE WE ALL HAVE THAT WE GOT FROM DAD AND FOR ME I STILL CANT IMAGINE MY LIFE WITJOUT HIM PHYSICALLY HERE Our hearts are broken especially the grandkids all 41 ,2 of the greats plan in joining the MARINE CORP when they turn 18 .WE R GNA B LIKE PAPA they say ..PAPA IS THE BEST BECAUSE HE IS A MARINE ,THATS Y HIS HEART IS SO GOOD AND BIG THE MARINES TAUGHT HIM EVERYTHING HE NEEDED TO B A MAN WITH A LOT OF LOVE AND DISCIPLINE .DAD LEFT US ALL WITH MEMORIES THAT HAVE US LAUGHING SO HARD WE CRY WE CANT LET GO DAD U R MISSED BEYOND MEASURE AND LOVED SO MUCH N U LEFT AN IMPACT ON TRULY EVERYONE Shortly after his passing his sister from another mother was found and it breaks my heart more .Dad n I started looking for her in 2014 and dad was ready to give up the last time he was visiting me because we kept running into walls with our search but I promised him ..no matter what happens I would never stop searching until I find her ..DAYS AFTER DADS COUSIN ROSALYN FOUND HER AND SPOKE TO HER .I HAVE YET TO MEET HER BUT I WILL SOON ..IT WAS ALL DAD WANTED TO DO BFORE HE HIS TIME HERE WAS DONE ..I GOT U DAD..it's just taking me a while ..I'm lost without u ..