The Greatest Generation - The Greatest Pop

My wonderful grandfather passed away last week. He was a wonderful man and we will miss him dearly.

I had wanted to say a few words about him during his wake - but ended up delivering the Eulogy at his funeral service.

As I look over the words, I am still flooded with even more memories that I wished I had shared, but didn't......he knows how much we loved him....so I share with you those same words - my final tribute to Pop.


My Pop was a proud member of the Greatest Generation. He epitomized the age.
He was born in 1922, he grew up during the Great Depression. He served his country in WW2 - a proud 4.2 mortar man in the Pacific.
Although he was wounded in Okinawa, he never bragged about his service....he humbly returned home, married his sweetheart and lived the American Dream.

Pop was the proudest American I ever met.
His favorite song was God Bless America.

He was also the proudest Irishman I ever met - he kissed the Blarney Stone and never neglected in sending me a card every St. Patrick's Day......usually with a $10 bill inside cleverly folded to look like a $100 bill!

Pop loved his church, his family, and took pride in the work he did with his hands. Building landmarks or even in building and improving the home he loved and lived in for over 62 years.

And we can't forget his love of the golf course...happiness is, Pop on the greens!

In all honesty, Pop was a quiet man. He had a strong work ethic, strong values and principles and was a man of few words - but when he did speak - I always listened with rapt attention.

I used to always say, "My Pop is truly the NICEST man you will ever meet"

Always a smile on his face and I can't recall ever seeing him in a bad mood. EVER.

My memories of him are snippets of sights and sounds that will stay with me forever.

Pop coming home from work - slipping off his work shoes and into his trusty slippers.
Into the kitchen he would come - crisp white t-shirt, his St. Christopher medal around his neck, his well worn, soft beige work pants....smelling of sawdust, he would pour himself a big glass full of orange juice.
EXTRA PULP was Pop's favorite. I found this to be absolutely disgusting - but he loved it!

Pop had the bluest eyes - which I think shone even brighter with his smile!

And what a sly sense of humor - always the guy in the room with the perfect comeback at the perfect moment.

Scorching Hot Liquids!!!! Pop was superhuman in the consumption of soups and hot coffee or tea. If it wasn't scalding hot - it wasn't hot enough. He may have been the nicest guy - but he never hesitated in sending soup back to the kitchen that wasn't hot enough!

The man always had a tan - hair sticking straight up - and a smile on his face......

On birthdays - you could expect a call that involved picking up the phone and hearing the most beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday ever sung to you - for any encore performance of his singing talents - all you had to do was go to church....Pop sang every hymn with gusto!

In times of celebration or relaxation - the perfect Manhatten was Pop's signature drink. I credit him for teaching me the joy of the perfect cocktail. And if you have not tried a Manhattan - I highly recommend you do so at your earliest convenience.

Parties with Pop and Nan - If I am a foodie now, it is because of Pop and Nan - their legacy of dining out, dressing up or dining in and dressing down - good food and drink defined our times together.

He loved lasagna, he hated chicken.

My Pop lived a humble and meaningful life....full of the quirks and tidbits that bring individuality to all of us and our family experience.

He influenced me with his constant love and happiness. For a man of few words, you never doubted where you stood....every single time, every single visit, every single phone call would end with Pop saying the best thing....."Love You!"

And Pop......."I Love You."