| Daddy's Memorial Service |
| By Nancy D'Amico Quell "D'Amico - that means friend". With an extended hand and that wonderful smile, this was my father's most famous introduction - and the most telling. My father had other famous lines for example "Do you know what the apostrophe means? It means Nobility!" And how many of you had he introduced himself to as your brother? Daddy was an exceptional human being - a friend, a father, even a grandfather to any and all who had the privilege of meeting him. He was personable, kind, devoted, selfless. Daddy loved to share his wisdom, his talents and his possessions, wanting nothing in return. His joy in life was doing for others. Daddy was always on call. Wherever you needed him to be, whatever you need him to do, he was there. And if he wasn't, he could be tracked down - at Home Depot, Grand Union, or 'down the house' visitng with his brothers and sisters. We all knew where to find him. Our family gatherings were full of laughter and stories. Over a dish of macaroni, he would share with us his life experiences and the lessons he'd learned. He offered advice, anecdotes, and words of encouragement. he reminded us 'practice makes pefect', 'you can't change people', save for a rainy day'. Indeed, my father saved for everyone else's rainy days. Jeff had offered a friend my father's help (as we all did throughout our lives) with this young man's physics project. After spenidng an hour in my father's basement work room, they returned to our house. "So you met Grandpa Eddy", I had said to Albert. "He's awesome", he had replied. Last eveing Albert shared this thought: "After awhile you learn that what you really are is all the experiences and all the thoughts you've ever had and all the people who have touched your life, no matter how briefly." My father touched all of our lives in the most wonderful way. Mom, you and Daddy, collectively and individually, physically and spiritually, embrace us and uphold us. We will love you both forever. By Carol D'Amico My father was everybody's friend. It didn't matter what race, age, or social status a person was. He treated everyone equally. he would stop on the side of the road to help someone in need; drop money in the hat of a homeless peson; would fix your watch, car, or furnace without even knowing your first name. It was his calling to help people in times of trouble and distress, and we could count on him without a second thought. Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting my father had a friend for life. Last October, my mother and father came to visit me in California. I took them to a gospel brunch in Los Angeles with my friend Ed. During the course of the meal, my father went to the restroom and didn't return for about 15 minutes before my mother and I sent my friend Ed in to see if he was alright. Ed came out and said daddy was having a conversation with the bathroom attendant. I can only imagine how great my father touched that man's life. When I was a child, my father treated me as an equal. At age seven, I would sit on his lap at the kitchen table, well past my bedtime, with all the grownups and share his coffee. He would take me to the grocery store every single weekend and teach me how to buy a lot for little money. When I fell of my bicycle, he would tell me a story about the War, or when we almost cut off his finger on one of his woodworking machines. He wanted me to know that he understood my pain. When I think of daddy, I let out a laugh because he was always cracking jokes and telling funny stories. Sometimes my phone would ring, and i would hear his voice: "this is the commissioner of the lottery! You didn't win a thing". But I did win, my father was the winning ticket. I know I speak for my whole family. He clothed us, fed us,kept us warm, and not ever did he short us of his love. And that is the man I will keep in my heart forever. |
| EULOGIES continued |