I don't think anyone can truly put into words how much you meant to them. You touched so many live over the years. Countless children have come through your door and you never hesitated to welcome them into your home and your heart. Generations of children you have taken under your wing. We all are forever blessed and are better people just to have known such a wonderful human being. You can rest easy knowing you have done your lifes work tenfold and enjoy eternal life with all the wonderful people who have left ours. I love you and will probably be forever lost without you.

You were more then my grandfather... You were my mentor, my Best friend, my shoulder to lean on. To say the least you were my backbone.... As a child I mimicked the things you did , as a man I admire the achievements you have done. Selfishl...y I don't know what I'm supposed to do now that your no longer here... So I shed tears mixed with sorrow, anger, and happiness.... Sorrow because you are gone and I shall feel it for the rest of my life, I felt my world shatter beneath me on the morning you left us... Anger mainly because I know how selfish I am that I keep praying that this is just a horrible nightmare... But mostly I'm happy because I know you to well, I know your able to dance with grandma again and she's not in pain.... I know your laughing with my mother and reassuring her that we were raised to the best of anyones potential... I know threw it all you and uncle johnny are laughing at all the stupid things everyone threw out each others lifes have done.... And I know that you'll always watch all of us, your 2 daughters and 3 sons, your nieces and nephews, your grandchildren and great grandchildren, the boys and girls who have come threw your doors threw the years that have unofficially adopted you as "POP"... And everyone who was lucky enough to know the greatest man that has ever been a part of my life.... But most of all I'm happy because I know how much I have always idolized you making me want to become more like the man that has always held such a big family together and if I can be half the man you were..... Then I'm going to be just fine...... We will all be together one day and until then tell your girls that they are always on my mind and in my Heart, let uncle johnny know I still have a joke orr two left he's never herd, and take a break already its your time to relax no more chores lol... I love you and always will .. Rest easy... And I know I know I'll make sure to put the garbage out! I love you.

When i Was a little boy my uncle Richie used to play Punchball with us all the time. For all you non city kids out there Punchball is baseball but with no bat u use ur hand. He was also the one person who took the time to teach a frustrated 5 year old how to tie his sneakers. When i was about seven i had chickenpox really bad Uncle Richie made sure he stopped by everyday to bring me candy or a comic or a new baseball card just to make me stop itching LOL. Then when i was about 11 and my family was moving out of Brooklyn i was so upset MY GODFATHER sat me down telling me he would visit me all the time and i could come in and stay with him and Aunt Bernice anytime i wanted to..... U Know he always visited me and sent cards for every milestone i met in my life, from Athletic, Educational and life Achievements from coming home from boot camp to the birth of my son. He was always there in my life for a pick me up conversation to a quick joke to make me smile. I will always remember him and love him... I know it is selfish but i will miss him dearly but i know now i will forever have an angel looking over me.

The first time I danced with my dad to this song, I was 16 years old, and i fell in love with it.  From that day on, whenever this song was played at an event we were at together, he made sure he found his way to dance with me.

I can not remember whn the last time we danced together to The Wonder of You was, but the most cherished memory of it was on my wedding day,  When he got up to dance with me to Daddy's Little Girl, he whispered in my ear "This isn't our song" - he didn't know until he heard the first notes blending in that I requested it be played for us, he fell apart then.

"When noone else can understand me, when everything I do is wrong.  You give me hope and consolation, you give me strength to carry on.  And your always there to lend a hand in everything I do, that's the wonder of you.

Play it back Daddy.

I love you.