Goodbye Grandpa

Last week we said goodbye to Grandpa C.  

Shaun has been blessed to know and grow up with all of his grandparents and each one has left a special mark on his life.

Years ago, Grandpa bequeathed some tools and golf clubs to Shaun and he has carried on those hobbies.  

Grandpa always expressed a keen interest in what was going on in our lives.  He was proud of Shaun's education and would always want an update on the goings on at church and with our rental properties and with the teams Shaun was coaching and playing on.

He and Shaun shared a love of sports, though they differed greatly when it came to baseball.  :)

Much later, when our kids joined the scene, he took great delight in playing with them as much as possible and catching up on their latest accomplishments.  He spoiled them shamelessly and the kids quickly caught on that there was popcorn and juice boxes and cake available at any time, in any amount, just for the asking.

Especially towards the end, I would watch him watch the kids and I could see him thinking about the legacy he would be leaving behind.  I'm so, so grateful they got to meet each other and enjoy the time they had.

He will be missed but never forgotten.

Here are a few of my favorites in random order....

Father's Day 2004 ish

 This was the last time we saw him, he came to church to see The Passion of the King in March.

Baby Aiden

 Four generations

 Always hugs.  If the kids didn't offer one he'd say, Where's my hug? in his deep but playful voice.

 Shaun with his grandfather, grandmother, dad and three siblings, taken November 2012.

 Baby Amanda, the day after she was born.

On Saturday, we all met up in the town where he grew up and then raised his family.  It was a beautiful morning with just family and close friends.

Shaun's dad asked my dad to do the service, which made it extra special for everyone, I think.

 Grandpa's great grandkids lead Psalm 23 so very sweetly.

George H. "Gitch"  86, of West Hartford, husband of Fay, died Monday, June 17, 2013 at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington. Born in Windham, the son of the late George A. and Bertha, George grew up in Coventry. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served as an Electricians Mate for two years in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. After the war George returned home, married and moved to Albany, NY, eventually returning to Coventry. A Highly skilled machine repairman, he took a position at Pratt & Whitney where he retired in 1994. An accomplished craftsman, George excelled in woodworking and a variety of other hobbies including doll house furniture and eventually publishing his family's genealogy. George was an avid golfer and long time member of the Rockledge Golf Club men's league. He belonged to the West Hartford Regents and was a lifetime Mason. A devoted husband to Fay, his wife of 41 years, he leaves his sons and their spouses, Jeff and Diane of Chicago, IL and David and Helen of San Francisco CA, his daughter and son-in law Brenda and Jim of West Hartford and a legacy of six grandchildren, Shaun, Nathan & Micah, Sarah, and Shayla and Nicholas; and six great grandchildren. He was preceded by his son Thomas and his sister Catherine . 

Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”

Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”

Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”

“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”  John 11:21-27