Aug 10, 2014

In Memoriam

It is with a heavy heart I'm letting my blogging friends know that my Dad passed away at 9:15am in his sleep on July 13th.  It was a Sunday.  A few days prior, my Dad had told my brother when he died it would be on the day of rest.  He is no longer in pain and may he be having a beer and fishing with his brothers in the afterlife.

Several years ago, I wrote a Father's Day tribute to my Dad to share a bit about him and what kind of guy he was.  You can read about him HERE.

My Dad's Life... In Pictures
 
I never knew my Dad had dimples.
Somewhere along the line, he lost them.
 
Leaving for Duty - 1964

He signed the back of this "A Sailor in White Ready to Fight"

Wedding Day - 1967

His Young Family
 
My Dad loved to go fishing!
 
Dad and His Two Sons
 
In his day, he enjoyed his beer.

Dad and His Grandkids, minus one who wasn't born yet.

Dad and My Sister

Me and Dad

This is the only time I can remember Dad
dressed in anything other than a tshirt.  On holidays,
sometimes he'd wear a knit shirt with a collar.
He is also smiling in this photo... He never smiles
when he gets a picture taken.
Christmas 2013

One of the last photos of Dad - May 2014
(with his only grandson)
Dealing with my Dad's illness, funeral planning, and estate administration has been one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do in my life.  I have received many cards and condolences from the online community.  I thank you all for your support and sentiments.

Until Next Time,

74 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers!

Terri

Sandy In Montana said...

I am so saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved father. You and your family have my deepest condolences.

Hugs, Sandy

geeky Heather said...

{{{Hugs}}} What a great tribute to your dad. Sending prayers for comfort your way.

Anonymous said...

Meari,

So sorry for your loss - a beautiful tribute to your father.

Hugs,
Ally xx

Vickie said...

Oh Meari. I am so very sorry. I have been thinking of you and praying for you and your Dad. God bless you in this most difficult time.

Blu said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.
((((((((hugs))))))))))

Eva said...

my deepest sympathy

Anonymous said...

Meari:

I love reading your blog and the photo tribute to your father was wonderful. He was a very handsome man. Keep these memories close by and remember he still lives in your heart.

Hugs (((((( )))))))

Dorrie
Prague, Czech Republic

Barb said...

Sorry to hear about your dad. You wrote a nice tribute to him.

Anonymous said...



Oh Meari. I am so very sorry. I have been thinking of you and praying for you and your Dad. God bless you in this most difficult time.

Vickie

Faith... said...

Beautiful pictures and tribute Meari. I am still preying for you and your family; that all of you can find comfort in this time of sorrow.

Pike said...

My deepest condolences, Meari <3

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss Meari. I did not know until today. What a great way to remember your dad with the wonderful tribute. My you and your family find comfort that he is now pain free and enjoying time with his family that passed before him.

Ruth said...

So Sorry to hear about your Dad. Prayers going out to yu and your family. Lovely tribute of pictures. Ruthie

Claudette497 said...

Please accept my condolences - your love for your dad has shined through over the blog years. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Ranae said...

So sorry for your families loss
Great photos

Justine said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. Lovely photos of your dad and family. God bless xx

Sue said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Dad; the photos are beautiful; you look exactly like your Mom! I don't think any of your siblings look as much like her as you do; pretty lady!!!!

You know that I pray for comfort and peace for you and your family; I hope that Mom is doing better.

Love you,
SM xoxoxox

Shelly said...

Aww, so sorry to read this. I visit your blog because of the SFS and had read down to the first posts about his illness. May your memories of him help your and yours during this sad time.

Dirty Martini Queen said...

I'm so sorry for your loss and what a beautiful family he and your mom created. Your photo tribute is lovely and I feel sure your dad is fishing in better waters now.
Donna

Vicky L said...

Beautiful tribute to your father. The pictures are beautiful too. I have been thinking and praying for you and your family.

Carissa said...

Meari, I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad, it's obvious he was very loved by his family.

Carol said...

Oh, Meari, I'm so very sorry to read this post. He sounds like a remarkable man and I'm sure he was a proud, proud father... Sending a warm hug your way--I hope the memories of happy times spent together will carry you through these sad days...

Anonymous said...

Meari,

I am very sorry for your loss! I really enjoyed your tribute as well!

Ann Thompson

Annie said...

My condolences, Meari. You have some great memories of your Dad and you expressed them so well with words and photos.

Scooty said...

Meari, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. It is so hard to lose a parent. Be thankful that he is in a better place now and believe that he will always be there to guide you as you go through life.

Judi in Phoenix

Anonymous said...

Oh Meari,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family during this difficult time. It is hard and I know what you are going thru. Will continue to keep you and yours in my thoughts.

Melissa J. in SW Ontario, Canada

Chris said...

Dear Meari,
I am so sorry for you and your families loss.
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad.
Hugs

Cricket-bug Corner said...

Oh Meari, I am so sorry for your loss. The pictures are wonderful.

Irene said...

My sincere condolences to you and your family. He will live on in your hearts and minds.

Anonymous said...

Meari,

My heart is filled with joy and sadness as I look at the photos of your Dad, you and your family. A lovely tribute.

Jeudi

Tricia T said...

I'm so sorry, Meari. My mom passed away a week before your dad and I'm just starting to find my feet again. HUGS.

Penny said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss, Meari. You wrote a very lovely tribute to him. Sending hugs.

Kristin said...

Meari, I am so very sorry to read about your loss. I remember so many of the stories you have told about your dad. He was a great man. My prayers are with you as you learn to live without him.

Thoeria said...

Your Dad was blessed with a family that clearly loved and adored him, Meari. You are in my thoughts and prayers xx

maria demina said...

Please accept my condolences(((( Your Dad was a good man!

Hold on, be strong!

cucki said...

My dear I am so sorry for your loss
Sending you lots of love hugs and prayers
Love you xx

SueH said...

Aww Meari, I’m so sorry to hear your sad news. (((hug)))
What wonderful photo and Father’s Day tributes to your dad. You have so many special memories memories for you to hold onto and to cherish.
Sue
x

Mouse said...

So sorry to hear about your loss Meari ((hugs)) a beautiful tribute to him ... love mouse xxxx

Anonymous said...

Meari





First I want to say that Im reallt sorry for your dad. I love, how beautiful and nice pictures from him you have put in your blog.

Your stitching place looks great. I still stitch on sofa , but nowdays I use all sofa , when Im stitching :)

Tinna

Bette said...

Meari, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. That was a wonderful tribute to him. Will be praying for you and the rest of your family for peach and strength. at this time of loss.

Anonymous said...

I'm so very sorry, Meari. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It's so hard to lose a parent. *Hugs*

DJ

Jennifer M said...

Meari so sorry, lifting you and your family in prayer at this difficult time. The tribute and photos are wonderful, you have great memories to cherish.

Anonymous said...

Meari I am so sorry that your dad passed away and I send you and your family my condolences. Your tribute to him is really beautiful and I am sure that he is enjoying it too while he watches over you. I hope that you are now getting some rest and time to remember all the moments you shared with him.

Tara

Katie said...

Beautiful tribute. So very sorry for your loss and pain in this time.

Akila said...

Meari my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May your dad's soul rest in peace.
This is an excellent tribute covering all the most important events of your dad's life. Love and hugs

Pam in IL said...

Such a wonderful, touching tribute to your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs to you also.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

My deepest, most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. You can see your Daddy was a good man, who worked hard to support his beautiful family. May he rest in peace.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Meari. I hope the wonderful memories you have will bring you through the sadness soon.

Rachel S-H said...

I'm sorry. I just lost my dad, too, and it's not easy. Your dad looks like a great guy. I love that he's smiling in the last picture.

Anonymous said...

Dear Meari

Sending hugs. Don't have the words to express my feelings properly. Take care give your mum lots of hugs

Denise
From Sunny Hastings UK

Kay said...

Meari, I did not know your father passed away. You have my heartfelt condolences. Beautiful photo tribute of your father. I know there are no words to make it better. Losing a parent is so difficult. I send lots of hugs your way during this beyond difficult time

Anonymous said...

Meari, I am so sorry to hear of the loss your Dad, my deepest sympathies to you and your family, and remember he will always have a special place in your heart. Will be praying for you and your family.

Hugs,
Marl

rosey175 said...

I'm so sorry about the passing of your father. You've made a lovely tribute and he was clearly surrounded by love.

Anonymous said...

Meari, I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Debi

Anonymous said...

Meari,

Thanks for the pictures and memories of your father. As anyone who has
lost a parent knows, it is a very difficult time in your life. Best wishes
to you and your family.

Nancy V

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear of your Dad passing. Take care.

Lynette said...

Meari, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how much it hurts to lose a father. What a moving tribute and beautiful photos.

Lynette

stitcherw said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, my condolences to you and your family. {{hugs}}
Sue

Anonymous said...

I am also so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute.

Sharon B

Maggee said...

so sorry to learn of your loss. Sending condolences and prayers to you and your lovely family. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Hello Meari,

I’m so sorry to read your news this evening.

I send you & your family enfolding hugs on the loss of your dear Dad. What a very handsome man, with such a kind face, even if he didn’t smile, something was apparent.

He must have been very proud of such a beautiful family.

Regards & hugs,
Kay.

Pam Koontz said...

What a wonderful tribute to your father. I cannot imagine the hole left in your life from his loss.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear this, Meari. I haven't been checking blogs, etc. much lately. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Carolyn NC

Melody said...

Meari, I am so sorry to read of your loss.

DebbieSFL said...

Meari, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sheryl said...

My condolenses Meari, so sorry to hear this sad news.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear about your dad. Know you, your mother and family will really miss him.
Debby

Nancy M said...

Losing a parent, no matter the age, is hard. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I think we all hope to go in our sleep, how very peaceful. You did a very nice photo memorial. Sorry it's taken so long for me to see this. I've really been neglecting my blog following lately.

Sharon said...

Dear Meari, I am so very sorry for your loss. Words are just so inadequate for times such as these, for we can never imagine how hard it is to lose a parent. I lost my dad many years ago... May God bless you and your family during these difficult times.

Anne said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad passing my dear Meari. What lovely photos to go through and see your Dad through his lifetime. I'm sending you my thoughts and prayers. ((HUGS))

Miriam Pauline said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things I've ever experienced. You and your family are in my prayers.

Terry said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Valda said...

Meari...I feel so bad that I just now found out that your dear father passed away. I just wanted to send my deepest condolences to you and your family. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!