Thank You

[wingnut]

Thank you all for the flower arrangement sent from the 170 Association to my family for my dad's funeral, and a special thanks to the person who brought it to the attention of the group. We were having family visitation at the funeral home when Tina teared up and said, "Del, you need to come look at this". We both broke down right there. When you get something like that from someone(s) you don't expect, it really hits home knowing that people care and are thinking of you.
My dad had been ill since before Christmas, and I've been helping him with chores at home since then, but he did not miss a day of work until 2 weeks before his death. That's when we learned it was cancer, that death was imminent, and that it was to late for any treatments.
We started out being told he had 2-4 months, but with each test and each day, the news got worse. We were told last Monday he had 2 days, 4 tops. He died at 9pm Wednesday, April 14. He handled everything in way very typical of dad. Even the last day, when ask how he feels, he would hold his hands up and rub his fingers together; same answer he always gave,"with my hands". All his kids (me, 2 brothers and 1 sister) were there we he drew his last breath. It was the toughest thing I've ever experienced, but I'm so glad we all had the opportunity, and time, to speak last words.
Thanks again

[hilltop170]

Del-
Ina and I are very sorry for your loss. All the best to you, your family, and crew at the shop.

Whoever sent the arrangement to the funeral gets our thanks as well.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

So sorry for your loss Del.

[Brad Brady]

You have our sympathy's, Del
Brad, Janet, Chuck, and Rogene

[170C]

Del, sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a parent is tough. A lot of us have been there and there is no easy way to handle it. At least it sounds like your Dad didn't suffer for a long period. Our sympathy to you and all your family. Remember the good times you had with him.



Frank & Becky Stephenson

[n3833v]

Del,
You have our sympathy also.
John & Becky

[Kyle]

Del,

Really sorry to ear of your dad's passing. Seems like the older we get, the closer we get to our parents.
I can tell you though, in time, the great memories of your dad will be the first thing that comes to your
mind vs. the sadness you feel today. And right after that - smiles...

Warm regards,

Kyle T.

[wingnut]

Thank you all again for the kind thoughts, prayers and words of wisdom from those of you who have been there.
The time in hospital, and the funeral were tough. But I was completely unprepared for what it was going to be like "cleaning up" and "organizing" his things. He was a heavy equipment equipment and diesil mechanic for 40 plus years, and spent several years as x-ray tech on pipeline. He had at least 2 of everything when it came to tools. And then, finding the boxes of the things I had no idea he had saved; letters from us boys when we were young, newspaper articles, graduation and marraige invitations and etc.
Kyle T., your right, I laugh and cry at the same time. Maybe you all know this, but I was really close to dad and thought I knew everything about him, but I'm seeing that there are still things I'm learning about The Man.

[GAHorn]

I'm with you Del. Whenever I'm out in the garage or hangar trying to find a tool for some task.... and I come across one of my Dad's tools to use...I can't help but tear-up and say aloud, "Thank you, Dad."

Despite our most-cognizant efforts, We never know what we have...until we lose it.

[Kyle Wolfe]

Del, sorry for your loss. Sounds like your Dad was a neat guy and you two had a special relationship. That's a treasure you can carry.

I know how you feel and what you experience. I too lost my Dad last September. Tonight I was working on an Isetta projet that was his and when I saw several of his "fixes" I could only laugh -- then cry a bit. The stuff they do that use to make you mad now makes you wish you still could experience just that.

Keep on keeping on and thinking of your dad.