TO DADS

First:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY (all you dads who are opening cards and presents). Have a wonderful, fun day. Eat lots of hot dogs and burgers, get some sun, relax with a beer, or whatever makes you happy. YOU DESERVE IT.



In 1982 my dad left here for a place where there is no cancer. I miss him every day.
Today I want to celebrate his life and share it with you.

He was born in the emergency room of a New York hosptial and left there, never knowing his mother. His father was a vagrant, selling pencils on street corners. He was taken in by two unmarried aunts.
At the age of eleven, he was sent to stand in the bread-line and bring home the rations. The lines were extremely long and he arrived back at the second floor flat very late. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, he was chastised, commanded to hand over the food, and then kicked down the stairs and told never to return. He didn't.

To survive on the streets, he worked on the docks, learned to box, and soon became a champion. He was recognized as an asset Soon he was street boxing for the 'rich and criminal'.
He loved to dance becoming a 'hoofer' in vaudeville circuits (the same ones as George Raft). He became friends with Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton and others.

One night he went to a 'rathskiller' where he heard a beautiful young singer called 'Little Marie'. She fascinated him. He frequently went back, and finally had the chance to speak with her. Upon learning her favorite flower, he brought her a gardenia coursage every night. She then became known as 'Gardenia Marie'.

He was offered a job in Maryland and asked her to go with him. Of course, she agreed. They married and a year and a half later a daughter was born - me.

My dad was a hard-nosed, soft-hearted man. He was a 'working' man, operating heavy equipment for 32 years until retirement.

As he aged, his attitude softened and his heart grew. He loved God and people, and became a chaplain visiting convalescent homes. Besides talking with each patient individually, he entertained them with his song and dance routine. They loved it and so did he.

He remained a happy, funny, loving man until the moment he closed his eyes for the last time.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD. I LOVE YOU.