PJ, Patrick, Pat—you couldn’t have just one name like the most of us?
But makes sense that it takes more than one to do you justice.
Since babies, we’ve been both buddies and cousins.
Hangin’ with our tribe that almost counted in the dozens.
Family parties, Roosevelt pool, ice skating, street softball, we always found the time.
Especially our walks to McDonalds to get our French fries for a whole whopping dime!
Our childhood years seem to blend into an unending span of simple celebration.
Until that day the Sully’s moved to Phoenix and brought about our separation.
I remember standing in the front yard of our home on Sequoia Trail,
Watching as your station wagon pulled away and like a baby I did wail.
But then you all returned to Glenview, and back to your roots.
Quite sure you were all sporting them fancy cowboy boots!
Then it was our turn to move out west after a few years
And once again saying goodbye brought on unending tears.
We were apart for most of our teen-age and early adult years.
Think we mostly survived them without causing too many parental fears.
Then Karen, (good for you Pat!) came into your life.
And you knew you were meant to be husband and wife.
We visited a few times when you lived in Mission Viejo.
Didn’t last long, though as soon you said, we gotto go!
You two lived so many places--Grayslake, CT. Wisconsin, just to name a few.
It was a bit exhausting for the rest of us to keep up with the two of you!
Ah, then you finally made it out west for what became the duration.
In Tucson, it seems, you found your zone in the Southwest nation.
This made it easy for you both to head to what Lanny refers to as the left coast.
Gave us so many opportunities in person to have toast after toast after toast!
There was Petco Park, seafood dinners, concerts at Humphreys by the Bay,
New Year’s Eve at an Irish pub and Thanksgiving Day.
You and Karen made it over for many a party at the Spruce Street house.
Where you’d employ your famous Irish goodbye and scurry away like a mouse.
I’d give anything to once more clink with you a cold glass of beer.
But instead, I will have to settle with raising one, to you my dear.
In my thoughts and in my heart you will forever and ever remain.
You’ve given us all so much ground to cover in our walk down memory lane.
PJ, Patrick, Pat, as both my cousin and my friend, you are the best.
And, now my darlin, its time, in peace, for you to always rest.
With so much love,
Nanc
