Pop-pop

Pop-pop was born Arthur Charles Hoey Jr. in 1908. He is a full blooded Irishman. He was a son of a jewler. He used to tell me stories of how he would ride his bike into town in New York and go buy diamonds for his dad. He met his one and only true love and soulmate, Dorthy Garrect when they were 16. They fell in love and were engaged for 7 years until Pop-pop had enough money to support her. Had they both lived one more year here on this earth they would have been married for 70 years. I find it both romantic and sad that they were both born in 1908 and died in the year 2000. Pop-pop hired my dad into the Arthur C. Hoey Company before I was born. I can't say my mother would have any idea what would happen as a result of doing that. It is the thing she most regrets in her life. Nan and Pop-pop loved each other. Of that no one can deny that the two were made one. They were a driving team.(that was scary before pop-pop got surgery for his eyes!) They were very generous with the money they had. I don't think they knew that their image of generosity would be misinterpreted by their 2 other daughters, Ginny and Diana. Mom because she worked in "The Business" knew that money was tight and that any extra was always spent. That they all lived from commission check to commision check. Ginny & Diana never knew that. Pop-pop had a hot Irish temper and on several occasions there were fights over "The Business" between him & my dad. Also between them and my mom. But I say this here so that somewhere in the universe the record can be straight. I know that pop-pop would roll over in his grave at Ginny & Diana thinking that Mom & Dad "STOLE" the business from Nan & Pop.
Let it be known that the only thing they got was debt!

Pop-pop was a kind man to the grandkids, a bit annoyed at times but just as quick to smile or to laugh. Pop-pop didn't understand people sometimes and would just throw up his hands and leave it where it fell. I think I get that trait from him. Pop-pop was Catholic and when they met Nan was a protestant. That was a big deal in their day. She became Catholic. It's hard to talk about Pop-pop and not talk about Nan. As the grandkids got older though and Nan & Pop-pop moved out of their home that they lived in the longest life changed. They moved out because it was too big, and hard to take care of. I drew a picture of the house which was given back to me when they died. It is a part of my anscestor altar now. Most of the grandkids got lives and spouses and vistited only on holidays. In their last years my Uncle Mike saw them the most and would rive them places like to the doctors. They would wonder why my mother was so distant. They would always be happy to see me. They would ask me about my brother who didn't visit often enough. I had to leave VA or else I would die from my allergic reactions. They were the only thing I really regretted leaving behind. I called often, at least once a month and saw them every time I came back for visits. I knew that when I went back to VA for my grandma's funneral it would be the last time I would see them alive. It felt like a triple funneral. I asked for something to remember them by and got the Siamese cat that stood ever vigilant in their living room. I got my last hugs from them. Their last kisses. They took me shopping for the last time as well and I got No fear t-shirt and hat. I love them because they embodied enduring love, and because they loved My Beloved, Lellyn. I will leave the rest for Nan's page on that.

I missed Pop-pop's phone call on Easter and Lellyn talked to him. She said he didn't sound good. I was in New Mexico with Thor. It was several weeks later when Mom called me to tell me that Pop-pop was found in the fetal position. I knew that it was his time and had this HUGE need to speak with him. Aunt Dee (Diana) said that there was no portable phone but that my Mom was coming to see him and she had a cell phone. I was at a temp job and took a break to call on the cell phone. Pop-pop could no longer talk. He was too weak and his voice was gone. I called and mom put the phone up to his ear...

"Hi pop-pop I'm sorry I wasn't there for you on Easter. I was in NM with a friend and things have been very busy. I wanted to tell you I love you, I love you enough to say it's ok to go pop. "

My mother snatched away the phone and told me he was smiling! I calmed her down and asked to put the phone back, that I wasn't done.

"Pop-pop I love you X 12... When you see the angels Pop-pop they are from me. They are there to walk you home."

Mom took away the phone again and said that he was miling and that he must be tired because his eyes were closed now. My pop-pop never opened his eyes again. His last smile on this earth was me...

Thanks to Pop-pop I got my knowingness back because I could feel where he was when my brother called to ask me if I wanted to say anything to him before they closed the casket. I could feel my brother and I could feel Pop-pop and they were not together. I had lost that connection for a long time and thatnks to them both I have it back. Thank you pop-pop. I will love you forever and it's always good to see you in my dreams...