He was a single father who did the best he could to raise me. He was generous, kind and occasionally a real pain in the ass.
He worked over 40 years at a college in various positions ending on Head of Registrations and Records.
He loved to fish and took yearly trips with his buddies from work to the St Lawrence River each year. Then to Deep Creek as his health declined and then this year he had to pass altogether. He was reclusive during the rest of the year and never remarried after my mother left us when I was five. I taught him to shoot and got him interested in firearms as a hobby. How's that for a twist? We shared that for awhile but it got hard for him as the cancer progressed. He was a very good shot though! He got cancer in 2001 and was only given 5 years. He beat that prognosis I'd say.
Though some years weren't great others were and he fought hard to stay here. Over the last two months or so he was in and out of the hospital for pneumonia then aspiration pneumonia twice. The last admission he never made it back home and he passed at around 6pm on 11/11/19. He went within hours after telling me he wanted to go and he was tired of fighting. He had suffered terribly the two weeks he was in the hospital. And actually the cancer never got him but the cures did. Radiation caused damage to his throat and eventually most of what he swallowed went into his lungs instead of stomach. I will miss him and in fact the past two nights I almost picked up the phone to check on him like usual. RIP Dad


This is my first big loss other than my beloved dogs. And I am not quite sure it has hit me. Somehow this whole making arrangements thing and dealing with all of the loose ends, bills, closing accounts etc takes away from the time you are supposed to grieve. So I guess I will grieve when it's all done. Thanks for listening......

The pics are old and older still but that's all I could find.

Sincerest of condolences for a great Dad. I’m sure he knew how well loved he was & I’m sure he will always be proud of the person you’ve become.

Sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great Dad.

Your father is playing with your pups at the Rainbow Bridge.

Sorry Tara. I remember you posting about him in the past. May he RIP. We recently lost a family member who fought hard and ultimately went home.
Sounds like you took care of each other from start to finish. No relationship is perfect. Thing happen along the way. But a lasting, loving relationship is as valuable as anything on earth in my humble opinion.
Surely you will miss him. But he will always be part of you.

Glad to see you post and share some thoughts
on him with us.

Take care.

I lost my father several years ago, after battling a multitude of lengthy illnesses, multiple procedures and hospital stays including one stay for 6 months. In dealing with all that, I know how much you must have had to deal with and in dealing with it for so many years.

Somehow, in dealing with all the arrangements and details, and there are so very many to deal with, we sometimes get lost and struggle to find the time to remember loved ones we have lost. I hope you are able to take the time to both grieve, but also to remember the good times with him, and all the smiles and all the moments you two shared together.

Your Dad sounds like a great guy, like someone many of us would have enjoyed spending time with...and I'm certain he was lucky to have a daughter like you.

T, I'm so very sorry for your loss. When the turmoil and commotion of arrangements settle down, I truly hope you can take the time to just think of him with fondness, knowing that you are a better person for having him in your life. I'll say a little prayer for you.

Although it doesn't happen as often as when he first died, I still occasionally find myself thinking about Dad and reaching for the phone, only to realize that I won't ever be able to call him again just to check on him or ask him a question.

Sorry for your loss. May your father RIP.

JP

So sorry for your loss. My father passed away in February, still think of him daily.

I'm sorry to hear it. There are no words.

I think about you every time I see the first aid preparedness bag you sent. It is in Mrs DF’s car. That makes this news sting. I’m so sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry for your loss of your Father.

Sorry for your loss, Tara. My dad and I really didn't like each other very much, but I miss him constantly and regret that I didn't try harder to get along...

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

You have certainly done this.

May your dad's name and memory, always be for a blessing.

My sympathies to you Tara.

Take solace that you did a lot for him and with him. And keep his memory alive within you.

My condolences on the loss of your Dad.

My sincerest sympathies. Prayers for you and yours.

My deepest sympathies Tara. I lost my father 6 years ago and I miss him every day.

My condolences and prayers.

I am sorry for your loss.

I hope that you find comfort in your memories of the good times.

sorry for your loss. i don't know what else i can say. i know it really hurts but it gets better with time.