My mother told me last night via Instant Message that my Grandfather died this past Saturday. He was actually my step-Grandfather on my father's side. In my heart he was, in fact, the only real Grandpa I had.The sort of man he was makes me very proud. He was a good person. He was the only real "father figure" I can say I ever really had as a child. Most importantly, he never ever once hurt me or anyone I love. Again, I regret that I was not there for him. I regret that he never knew my children. At least, in a small way I know that he knew half of the reason I wasn't there. Strangely, that provides some comfort. Also, like my Great Grandmother on my mother's side, he died of Alzheimer's Disease. I knew he hadn't been well for many years, but it came as sort of a shock. I still don't think it is fair that the good people are all dying and the horrible ones seemingly live forever.

I wanted to post his obituary here because he was a very upstanding man and died with many accomplishments and honors. I wanted to show you why I am proud that he was my Grandpa. When I thought about it, I realized that I would need to take out names and places and dates and cut it all up. I just would not want my privacy invaded, nor my children's safety jeapordized because a search engine allowed certain people who would like to hurt us, or to just generally torment us, to find us that way. So, I decided not to post it at all.

Posted by gwendolyn on October 24, 2001 at 09:51 AM