| Daddy's Memorial Service |
| My mother put this poem on the back side of the program we handed out to everyone at the church |
| To Those I Love If I should ever leave you Whom I love To go along the Silent Way, grieve not, Nor speak of me with tears, But laugh and talk Of me as if were Beside you there, (I'd come-I'd come, Could I but find a way! But would not tears and grief Be barriers?) And when you hear a song Or see a bird I love, please do not let The thought of me Be sad...For I am Loving you just as I always have... You were so good to me! There are so many things I wanted still To do-so many things To say to you... Remember that I Did not fear...It was Just leaving you That was so hard to face... We cannot see Beyond... But this I know: I loved you so-'twas heaven Here with you! By Isla Paschal Richardson |
| By Doreen D'Amico Daddy, You and I shared so many great stories together and I guess now, I'll be having these on-sided conversations with you for a long time to come. Here is one story I would have liked to tell you while you were alive, so I might see that beautiful, trademark look of wonderment on your face. The day after you died, Nancy and Chuck discovered the most amazing thing. They were going through some of your files and found your certificate of Honorable Discharge from the Navy. As they pondered your young life, Nancy noticed that the document was signed, coincidently, by a Naval officer named Montgomery. And as Chuck's eyes drifted further, he saw that you were discharged on August 7, 1946, the very day he was born. They came quietly to me and handed me the document. I slowly took in the details as I felt my heart pounding. And then my heart soared when I realied that the two most special men in my life, my father and my husband, are inextricably and forever connected. And finally, my heart calmed as I realized that i am one with you, and Chuck is one with me, and you are one with God, and we are all one with each other. Now, everybody here today who is celebrating your exceptional life, is one with you in heaven. |
| EULOGIES |