My father and best friend passed away on June 18th, 2010.
I love him and I miss him.
I love him because he was a true and loving person. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if you asked for it.
He taught me how to ride a bike, drive a car, sharpen a knife, cook a steak, drink a beer, water ski, drive a boat, catch fish, use a skill saw, a wrench, a screwdriver, a compressor, a spray gun, an air nailer, a razor, plumb a hot tub, shingle a house.
How to level a pool table, pour concrete, lay tile.
How to hit a golf ball, read a green and chip from the rough.
He taught me how to play poker, dominoes, horseshoes and score four.
He taught me how to mow the yard, plant a garden.
He taught me how to restore a car. My first car. A 1966 Ford Mustang. Start to finish. Engine, interior, brakes, body work, paint, everything.
How to build a house, a deck, a fence.
How to use tools like a power washer, airless sprayer, chain saw, radial arm saw, power chisel, air ratchet, impact wrench.
He also taught me how to repair almost everything.
I love him because he taught me how to live my life.
He taught me how to enjoy sitting in a comfortable chair and watching the thunderstorm happening in front of me. He taught me to respect everyone and to never take anything for granted. He taught me how to figure things out for myself. He gave me the confidence I have now.
I miss him because he always made me smile when we were together or talked on the phone. When we were together there was always one night when we would continue whatever conversation we were having late at night over some beers with a small glass of Crown Royal.
On the phone when we were ending our conversation he would always say “love you buck” and I would always say “ I love you too old man”.
I miss my dad.
