“I hope they play softball in Heaven”
On behalf of my family we would like to thank all for your support in this difficult time. We also ask everyone here to celebrate my dad’s life rather than mourn his death cause that’s’ the way he would have wanted it. And with the collection of family and friends he would have viewed this as a party.
My dad was born in Manhattan in the 1930’s. He lived on 86th street with his 2 brothers Benny and Angelo, his sister Marianne and of course his parents Mildred ad Philip. I’m pretty certain my grandparents had their hands full with that crew. In addition there was extended family of friends which was basically half of Yorkville.
What I always found amazing was that crew from the old neighborhood was such a tight knit group that it didn’t matter if they didn’t see each other for years at a time but when they did they could pick up right where they left off and never miss a beat. That’s almost 80 years of friendships. I think everyone could learn a little from that. There are far too many people to mention them all. Whether they are with us or not, that generation was pure gold.
My father attended PS 6 between park and Madison in 1940’s. He was put to work at a very young age in various grocery stores throughout Yorkville during that time. My father was quite an athlete as well. From football, to softball, to basketball, to bowling, you named it he played it. Whatever competition he could find, he was right in the middle of it. It was also in the 1940’s that Golden Crew in Yorkville formed. Within that crew, my parents met for the first time. They were inseperable ever since.
In May of 1957 my parent were married. Three children quickly followed with a fourth a decade later. They moved to a sprawling 1000 sq foot ranch in a “country town” called Commack. The home came complete with a barn and horses in the backyard. My dad took a position as a route rider with Drakes Cakes, that position became his career. A career he excelled in, a career in which he provided for his family for 35 years until he was forced to retire due to injury. While he liked what he did, that was never his dream. He actually aspired to be a NYC police officer. A dream he never achieved, falling short of a physical due to childhood illness. One of my father’s greatest qualities was how protective he was for his family and friends. He would have been a great cop.
That protective trait was passed down to my oldest brother Jimmy. So you can imagine how proud he was when my brother entered into a career in law enforcement with the Suffolk County Sheriff Department.
“Family first” could be used to sum up my father in a nut shell. Well as long as the ball game was over!
He was able to raise a family of four in addition to two grandparents all in the same house. He managed to care for every stray dog that crossed paths within our house. He provided for all of us and, and always made sure we had his support along the way.
That “family first” trait has passed down to my sister Patty. Patty has always been the glue that has held the family together.
Dad was also a very generous and a caring individual. While he rarely spent money on himself, he would be the first to offer it up to someone in need, even if his bank account was depleted.
That “generosity and caring trait” has been passed down to my sister Laurie. Who has that incredible desire to always help those in need.
My dad was living proof that you can succeed in life without a fancy education. He did this through faith, morals, and a lot of hustle.
I believe that later “Hustle” trait has been passed on to me. As I learned early on in my career, that with a little hustle, I can outwork the smartest guys in the room. I was able to achieve similar success.
Dad was incredibly patriotic. He loved this country and was a proud American.
“This trait” was passed onto his granddaughter who is a Captain and pilot in the US Army. We all thank you for your service Michelle.
Dad had a few best friends over his life time. One of which is my brother in law Billy. These two did more and got in more trouble together than most people could ever dream of. From NY Giants Superbowls in Pasenda, to NY Ranger Game 7 at MSG, to NY Yankee World Series Games. Side by side these two lived life to the fullest.
As I mentioned earlier, he loved all things family. He loved his daughter in law, Kendra and thought of his nieces and nephew Andrea, Danielle, Carolyn, Phillip, and Renee as if they were his own sons/daughters.
As kids growing up our house seemed always to be the center of gravity. It wasn’t uncommon to find a driveway full of cars, front lawn full of bmx bikes, or full blown tackle football games in the back. I think those were the happiest of times for my dad. We were a blue collar family that did everything together with a tendency to do things together and take things to the extreme. From vacations up at Fern Lake where we manage to not only to fit our family but also fit half the neighborhood in a small lake front cabin in the woods for weeks at a time. We celebrated 4th of July with firework shows that would rival the Grucci family. We went on Disney trips that took laughter to a whole new spectrum. All of these memories were made possible by with the help of my dad, and of course my mom who were side by side each other every step of the way. My dad’s zest for life will forever live on with each of us.
My dad is survived by my mom who after 62 years of marriage I believe by now is slotted for sainthood. My sister’s Laurie, Patti, brother’s Jim and Billy, my wife Kendra, and niece Michelle. He is also survived by his sister Marianne.
My dad wouldn’t let me complete this without telling everyone about his extended family the Allen’s who collectively made Thanksgiving the greatest holiday of all time.
Lastly, A special thanks for Charlene Mudge, my father’s other best friend and caretaker who watched over him in a way no one else could.
I hope they play softball in heaven and if they do my dad just rifled a shot in the gap between left and center. As he rounds the bases he high fives Grandpa Charlie at 2nd, Uncle Benny and Mark waving him on at third base, grandma O’Connel and Aunt Maureen leading the cheering section in the bleechers. While grandma Tucciarone and Aunt Eunie making sure everyone is eating their sausage and peppers. As he slides into home, his dad and brother Angelo are there to celebrate. I hope they play softball in heaven because my dad is coming home.
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