Following is a letter that my father wrote about one year before his death (July 14, 2014) which he asked me to read at the funeral service. I wanted to share with all that are visiting his memorial site. While dealing with the effects of Alzheimer's the past several years it was a surprise to many of us that he was able to recall all of this so clearly and write in such a thoughful way. A blessing from God indeed... -Jeff
July 14, 2014
Sherry asked me to share some of my experiences and recollections, so here is my story in brief.
I've been blessed by God my whole life. I was born in New York City on February 6, 1923. My father and mother both immigrated to New York from Italy as young adults, where they met, fell in love, and got married.
I said I was blessed, but I was also very lucky, I had the best parents in the world. Both of them worked hard all their lives. My dad and my uncles all made their own wine. My mom and my aunts were all great cooks. I guess we had the typical Italian family.
While a young boy I loved airplanes. I liked to build model planes and fly them in the park. As I got older I decided I wanted a career in aviation. Of course I wanted to be a pilot, but my mom thought flying was way too dangerous, and asked me not to fly (which I did anyway later in life). When I was ready for high school, my mom got me enrolled at Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades. I loved learning all about airplanes and was top in my class.
World War II started while I was still in school. When I graduated, I was offered a Federal Civil Service job working with "the Army Air Corps" (now the US Air Force) in Dayton Ohio. I left right after graduation and worked in my new job for about a year and a half. By that time WW II was going full force. All the young men were being drafted, or enlisting into the service, and because of my job I could not be drafted. My brother was already in the Army. I was feeling guilty. I spoke to my boss and told him I wanted to leave to join the military. He said they needed me there, and would not release me to the draft board, so I left anyway, and took a leave of absence from my job.
I went home and joined the Navy. After boot camp, I was sent to an aviation school in Oklahoma. I hated being there, and went to see the commander of the school. I told him I had already been through aviation school and worked in the field, and didn’t want to go through school again. He said he would see what he could do. To my surprise, when he called me back, he told me I was to be transferred to Chicago, to become an instructor at an advanced Naval Aviation School. They sent me to teaching school. I was so lucky. Chicago was very good to servicemen. I was stationed there until the war ended. I joined the Navy but never got on a ship. While stationed there I started taking flying lessons at the local civilian airport. I used to load freight cars at night to make enough money for flying lessons. I loved flying and even soled before the war ended.
After discharge from the navy, I joined the Navy reserves for four years with a flying patrol Squadron, I served as flight engineer. We flew one weekend a month to all different parts of the country. I also got my pilots license during that time and bought my first airplane. My Mom still did not like flying, but got used to the idea of my flying. My Dad did go on flying trips with me. I loved flying and over the years I owned three different airplanes.
When I first returned from the Navy to civilian life, I applied for a job at every military installation within commuting distance from New York. I did find an opening in New Jersey. I started my working career as an aircraft mechanic, and I retired at the age of 55 as an Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent in charge of all the specialty shops required to maintain and repair an aircraft. While I worked for the Air Force as a civilian, and my organization trained reservists, so I was also required to join and stay in the Air Force Reserves until I retired, and that gave me the benefits of a military retirement along with my civil service retirement.
The highlight of my life came in 1970, when my organization moved to California, and that’s where I met my Sherry, the love of my life. We fell in love very quickly and got married that June. Sherry had been married before, and had two young boys so I had an instant family which I loved. Sherry's younger son Jeff was such a great kid, and a true delight growing up. We bonded very quickly, and became close. He was like my own son. I was thrilled when as a young man he asked me to adopt him. What a blessing for me.
Lucky for us, Jeff fell in love with a very sweet girl (Terri), so now we had a daughter. In July of 2007 a wonderful miracle happened, our little "sweetie" Sofia was born. Little did I know of the great, great pleasure she would bring to her grandma and me. A sweet, fun, happy little girl. When she knew we were talking to her parents on the phone, she would always want to talk to us. Who could ask for more? I pray we give her good memories. She is such a sweetie because Jeff and Terri have been such good parents to her. No little child could have more love and care than they have given her. I am so proud to them.
I thank my family in the east and all my relatives here, and the many friends we have made, for making our lives such a happy one.
My life with Sherry has been great; we worked hard, and had great times. We traveled through much of the U.S. Hawaii, and Europe.
Sherry has always been a fantastic wife, mother, grandma, and person. When I retired at the early age of 55 from my Civil Service Job, I retired with the intention of getting into Real Estate, so I went to College to get the requirements necessary to qualify, and become a Real Estate Broker. Getting started wasn't easy, but with Sherry's help and support, and with a lot of hard work, I became the top Realtor in Placer County in 3 years. Since she was an interior designer, Sherry helped me by coaching builders I worked with, with their house plans to make the homes more attractive and easier to sell. After the home was sold the buyers often had Sherry complete the decorating for them. (See behind every successful man is a good woman to support him.) And I almost forgot all the open houses we used to hold every weekend. If you want to make it big in Real Estate you have to do the time. I remained a Realtor for about 18 years, and gave it up when we designed and built our current retirement home.
When Sherry and I first married, we couldn't get married in the Catholic Church because of Sherry's previous marriage, although she did go to mass with me on Sundays. Sherry got an annulment and took classes to become a Catholic, and we married again in the Catholic Church in 2005. We used to be very active in the Catholic Church; however health problems have slowed us down. We have so many great friends. I am amazed at how busy our lives have become. Many of our friends have become so close, we consider them family. We call one of them “Wife #2”, and some daughters, and some others Brother and Sister. Maite Fisher & Cindy Reed. We love you, and all the rest. Thank you for being there for us.
I've done everything I wanted in life. I married the woman of my dreams, although it took a long time to find her. I even had to come to California to find her. I have a loving son, daughter-in-law and fantastic granddaughter. My hobbies and fun times included flying my own airplane, building and enjoying a lake side cottage with water skiing on a lake in Great Barrington, MA. Snow skiing, Traveling and Dancing. A great time in my life. Yes God has been good to me.
Who knows what the future will bring? My dad lived to be almost 100. I could not complain if God decided to take me tomorrow. My only regret would be that I would not be there to take care of my sweetie for the rest of her life, but I know Jeff and Terri and Sofia will be there for her, as well as all of our friends.
And that brings this up to date. Since I am only 91 years old at this time, I'll do an update every 20 years or so. God bless all of you.
Arrivederci, see ya all, sooner or later…
Love Ted