For over 5 decades my mother and father were best of friends. For over 48 of those years, I called that same man……Dad. 
From when I can remember, when I was very young, was how my whole hand just fit into the palm of dad’s callused, hard working hand, where my stubby little fingers at that time were not long enough to even reach the edge of his palm. I was amazed looking up and at the same time realizing that this man , just by his grip, gentle as can be, made me feel assured, safe and proud…..this man is my Hero…..this man is my DAD. I remember this for I used to stand at the door waiting for him to come home every day, waiting to take a walk on the beach. Dad had never known not to work. He worked 2 jobs and he still dedicated time to walk down to the beach with my sister and I no matter what time or how tired he might have been. I remember when I was 4 and a half, walking up to the steps with Dad where we met my mom in the wheelchair holding my sister and asking “mommy is this my brand new baby sister” as if it were yesterday……… 
Many of those days we talked and tossed the baseball around and I was amazed how Dad was a Southpaw (lefty) and was also ambidextrous. I wanted to be him so badly. When Dad spoke, I listened very attentive for his voice had projected an epiphany of authority and respect for which he never demanded from anyone. Dad is a Navy Veteran……., a Honest, a Giving, a Kind, an Intelligent, a Patient man, sacrificing selfishness to help others, but most of all…… a true loving Husband, Father and Grandfather. 
During our earlier years, my sister and I couldn’t wait for when the days grew short and the temperature began to drop, for we knew it was that time of year that we would have DAD all to ourselves for 6-7 weeks. My father would accumulate so much time off from work that from Nov 15th till the weekend after my Birthday, January 5th; he would spend with us all. Traditionally Dad and Mom would put myself, sister and our golden retriever in the car and go Pumpkin and Apple Hunting in upstate NY. That weekend and every weekend proceeding, we would make dozens of pies and endless cookies throughout the Holiday season with the entire family helping. I remember that we always waited till December 23rd or even the 24th, to get a real Christmas tree up on the avenue where we had lived. We would venture out at 10pm with the station wagon in the slush and ice to tie the tree to roof and set up that same night. Those were amazing times in our lives. 
My father was a patient man. He dedicated years of coaching to the Special Olympics. He was a Speed skater and held many Senior Olympic records and was inducted into the Lake Placid Senior Olympics hall of fame. Dad also became a certified speed skating Coach for both the United States and Canada as well. Dad coached my baseball teams and managed them for over 10 years and continued to coach even after I moved up to High School. 
Dad put aside time in his busy working schedule while commuting from the Bronx to Elizabeth New Jersey where he worked to see me play Baseball for Fordham. I know I made him proud when he witnessed the many baseball scholarships and offers I received from colleges around the nation. 
My dad and mom helped raise my daughter Britneylee for most of her life. My Dad adored her and would do anything to protect her. I was very fortunate to have the same father’s love spill over to his grand-daughter as well. 
Britneylee, Grandpa is so proud to have you attend college and please continue to stay the course and finish your degree he would want that. 
Joey, grandpa knows that you have awesome baseball talent and one day will be a great pitcher. He was so happy that he was able to watch you play for so many years. You have brought so much joy to Grandpa. You have his strong left arm, and were blessed with my height and good looks as well………Continue to do what you do best and remember, grandpa will always be proud of you. 
……..DAD, though I might never completely fit into your shoes and or your broad shoulders I will continue to try. I will continue to protect and take care of Mom, whom is your best friend, love of your life and confidant. ………..one thing I must say DAD……..is that you did provide my sister and I with your strong heart and Will, of which I know and hope that we have already passed onto our children, your grandchildren. Your legacy will live on through all of our lives….. 
I love you so much Dad, and miss you dearly. Today we celebrate you and the life you lived and the lives that you have touched. I promise to you that Mom and the family will continue the battle against Lung Cancer with our Lung Cancer Research Council…….. I will miss that daily call asking you how your day went and “how do you feel?”………….DAD, I take this baseball and put it besides you, so when it is my time to join you, we can take a walk down to the beach again, doing what we enjoyed most…….….talking as father and son and just having a catch……. 
Your loving Son forever, 
Joseph 

Each morning when we awake

we know that you are gone.

And no one knows the heartache

As we try to carry on.




Our hearts still ache with sadness

and many tears still flow.

What it meant to lose you,

No one will ever know.




Our thoughts are always with you,

your place no one can fill.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we love you still.




There will always be a heartache,

and often a silent tear,

But always a precious memory

Of the days when you were here.




If tears could make a staircase,

And heartaches make a lane,

We'd walk the path to heaven

And bring you home again.




We hold you close within our hearts,

And there you will remain,

To walk with us throughout our lives

Until we meet again.




Our family chain is broken now,

And nothing will be the same,

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again. 


We may have been far apart ,but somehow joined forever . You were my little brother ,and I will miss your being in this same world where I could reach out to you .Rest In Peace ,we will meet again   
        Love , Your Sister Wilma

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mr. Kenneth William Altuchoff

23 juillet 1940 – 1 décembre 2014

Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Homes & Cremation Services

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