Charles Platia

Today we honor the memory of our grandfather, Charlie Platia – a devoted husband, a loving father, the world’s greatest grandfather, and so much more. Words cannot describe the man he was. Nor can they do him justice.

Grandpa was a fighter -- a Sergeant in the second world war. In going through his discharge papers this week, we learned that grandpa received several decorations and citations, including a medal of good conduct.

But, hands down, the best battle he ever won was the heart of grandma. She didn’t make it an easy fight, but eventually she saw in him what we all came to see – He was special.

They were married in this very church and were soon blessed with their only son, Sal. Growing up, it was inspiring to see the close relationship that our dad had with grandpa, or, as he’d call him, “Boopi.” You could always catch them playing a round of Pinochle, taking trips to the racetrack, their good old Yankees/“mutts” rivalry, and their general good humor.

Grandpa was, indeed, goofy. I’m sure our mom will never forget how grandpa found her undergarment under the couch cushion and decided to display it on the Christmas tree.

We could go on for days with all the good memories we have with our grandfather. His “pucker up” kisses, his frankfurter stand, his John Wayne marathons, the feast and the Gillia, family poker games (where grandpa would play his hand and grandma’s), his bib, his best pal Chase, his endless supply of tissues, his use of the heat in the middle of the summer, his chickpeas and pasta, and his “dapper dan” style. These, and so many others, we will keep forever.

Broader than the day to day memories, what we will remember most is the love grandpa had for each of us and, most of all, his wife . Their love for each other and their love for our family should be a true inspiration to us all. We can only hope that God blesses us with the same.

In short, grandpa is the rock upon which our family has been built, and just as rocks may give away countless pebbles while still retaining their integrity, so has our grandfather. His life has been the foundation of lives led by his pebbles; his wife, his only son, his daughter-in-law, his 3 grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews, who he loved like his children.

Grandpa, we will always miss you. You were a role model and a friend. We will live our lives aspiring to be more like you. Your guidance and love will carry us through to the end of our days. We love you.