A loving husband, father and grandfather, he has given us many happy memories to carry in our hearts as we move forward from this day. As the undisputed leader of our family he orchestrated many outings such as apple picking, Easter egg hunting and highly competitive scavenger hunts to name just a few. Each season was marked by its own special occasions and we were his willing participants. He taught us that family comes first, and that life should be fun. With a soft-spot for others he was willing to give up his time and resources to benefit those within his realm of influence. Always a gentleman, our patriarch treated each person around him with respect, never hesitating to offer a handshake and a friendly pat on the back. However, nothing brought more pride and color to his life than his family. He diligently attended sporting events and applauded good grades in school and instilled in his children and grandchildren an appreciation and understanding of what it was to work hard and play harder. Often with tears in his eye he'd tell us all, friends, children, and grandchildren, how proud he was of each us and how much he loved us. In all our lives we have never doubted the love he had in his heart for it manifested itself in his words and actions every day.
In the summer of 1989, I was five years old. Grampa went to Maine and sent me postcards. On each of the postcards was a crazy story about what he was doing there. Anyone with a little more sense than a five year old would know they were completely false, but I listened in awe as the cards were read to me detailing my grandfather's capture by a family of elephant-sized clams and being rescued by an enormous but fiendly lobster. To this day, every time someone in our family exaggerates a story or tells a tall tale we call it a "Postcard Story."
Grampa also taught me to love and honor my family. He was alwyas surrounding himself with people he loved, and there were a lot of us. Our small family gatherings soon grew to huge numbrs of people together on an August afternoon competing in horse-shoes, cribbage, volleyball and other activites. And as each of us parted on those evenings we kissed his big bald head good-bye and he told each and everyone one of us how much he loved us.
Grampa Bud has taught all of us many things. The importance of hard work. Pride in our country. Fairness. And personally, he tuaght me how to live by the Scout Oath that is engraved on a small plaque. It goes like this, "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law. To help other people at all times. To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
Gramp gave me this plaque as I advanced through the ranks in Scouting myself. "I snow-shoed for 26 miles with an 80 pound pack on my back to win this" he told me. And throughout his life he stayed true to this oath, as will I.
Last night at the wake I was told that I am a lot like my grandfather in many ways. I love writing, as did he. I am extremely patriotic, as was he. And I adore my family, as he always had, and always will. And now I must take forward into my life ahead of me the things he has taught me. I only hope I am half the man he was and will continue to be as I hold him dear in my heart. Gramp, I love you very much. Thank you for all you have done for me. God Bless...and rest in peace.
