Celebrating a Life Well Lived

October 18th would have been Dad’s 85th birthday. Sadly, he passed away eight years ago leaving a vacuum in my life that I know I will never fill.

I find it difficult to write about my father without being overwhelmed with emotion, but his is a story that deserves to be shared. Dad was a pious and spiritual man whose world revolved around his family. He was wildly successful in everything he did — I truly believe he was blessed with the Midas touch. Above all, he was brilliant and wise. His selfless, generous personality made him unique.

I distinctly remember when he got a water cooler built so that the hundreds of school children who walked by our home had clean, cold water to drink. All this because a young boy walking by the house, asked for a glass of water. Just a small example of his kindness for others.

Most of my formative years I carried a chip on my shoulder because I was his son. The chip is long gone but his lessons remain. His legacy is alive and well in the five of us siblings, and the kind of people we turned out to be. Responsible, respectful, with a common focus on our families. If I can be half as accomplished as my dad — in the many facets of his life — I would consider myself to be successful.

Happy Birthday Dad. I miss you.