John Joseph Hallisey

John Joseph Hallisey, born August 2, 1932, Waltham, MA, retired US West Manager and Korean War Veteran, died on November 14, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Hallisey; three children, Patricia A. Hallisey, Arvada, Michael J. Hallisey, Wheat Ridge, and Thomas E. Hallisey and his wife Gina Hallisey, Arvada; five grandchildren, Christopher J. Adams of Denver, Mandie Rovere and her husband Joe Rovere of Lafayette, Nichole Hallisey-Stewart and her husband Matt Stewart of Westminster, Brett Hallisey of Wheat Ridge and Becky Hallisey Borman and her husband Ryan Borman of San Francisco; three great grandchildren Austin M. Stewart, Aiden M. Stewart, and Eli T. Rovere. He is also survived by his brothers Joseph Hallisey (wife Judy Hallisey) of Naples, FL and Edward Hallisey of Eliot, ME. Preceded in death by his parents Joseph Michael and Margaret (Peg) Hallisey of Beverly, MA and his brother Peter Hallisey of Exeter, NH.

A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF JOHN HALLISEY

Family memories as told by Pat Hallisey

You know, I think Dad was secretly a sailor in his heart. So in that light we wish Dad calm seas as he lifts his sails bound for his final port of Heaven.

John Joseph, aka Sonny, was born on August 2, 1932 in Waltham, Mass. to Joseph and Peg Hallisey. He was the oldest of the four Hallisey sons and is survived by his brothers Joe and Eddie. His younger brother Peter preceded him in death. He was the first of the Hallisey clan to venture out of New England although he loved the ocean and spent a lot of time on the beach in his teenage years.

Dad served in the Korean War and shortly after enlisting in the Air Force in 1951, serendipity found him on a street corner in Greeley, CO with his buddy when two beautiful women drove by, and then drove by again, and again, until finally pulling over to say hello to the handsome gents. As fate would have it, that chance meeting led to a marriage in 1953 to Mary Ann Kelley and so began a love affair that lasted 61 ½ years.

If you knew Dad you know why Mom fell in love with him almost instantly. He was charming, witty, a great storyteller and a good dancer! They shared a kiss nearly every day, even on his last day. Dad was a real sociable guy. He was a true Irishman always ready to tell a joke, a long-winded story or drink a beer or some whiskey with you. He used to tell me that people were his “long coat” – he was an expert when it came to people. He just had a way about him that left you “full and thoughtful”, never empty. You always walked away deep in thought after a chat with Dad.

Dad was contemplative and could escape in a good book for hours. He could also rattle off trivia related to nearly everything, probably from listening to talk radio for so many years! He always reminded us “You’re no better that anyone else, and they are no better than you”. Thanks Dad for that one, it made us respectful of others, confident and compassionate.

Dad was successful in his career in Telecommunications. He started as a lineman for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company and worked his way up to a 2nd level Manager retiring from U.S. West in 1986 after 31 years of service. He forged many friendships during those years and was the kind of guy that kept in touch with folks. If Dad was your friend, he was a friend for life. After retirement, Mom and Dad hit the road in their fifth wheel trailer spending winters in Texas or Arizona and making friends all along the way.

Dad was very proud of his family, but even more importantly, his family was ever so proud of him. Thanks Dad for everything you taught us … Michael John, Thomas Edward, and I show up everyday, at work, at home, and we always try to do our best. We may not have seemed to be interested at the time you were guiding us, but we got it. We’re not perfect, but you always made that OK too. Dad would say, “Work smart, not hard.” Dad was a great role model for Mike and Tom, teaching them how to fix things, how to take care of a car and keep tools and equipment in good working order, how to be a man and how to respect women (especially mom!). They had a few trips to the garage that seemed to help their attitudes when they got a bit too cocky. Dad was the enforcer of Mom’s rules but as we grew older the relationship with us became one of friendship and respect. He was always Dad though and if he had an opinion on something it was known.

Mom and Dad bought their North Denver house on Zenobia Street in 1961 and it’s been home base ever since then. Dad start remodeling that house right away and it seemed like he was always remodeling it to accommodate his growing clan and make a nice home for his family. Ask anyone in the neighborhood and they will remember John had his nail pouch apron on every day just in case he needed to fix something. Everything was right there, nice and handy… including things such as a couple cans of beer, some snacks or a few cloves of garlic when he was on the “garlic is good for you” kick. He always had a tool in his hand fixing something and the boys were always right there learning from the master remodeler. Mike and Tom often joke they spent their adolescence digging out the basement but they were happy to have their own bedrooms once Dad turned the basement into living space. When he wasn’t working on his house he was helping his kids remodel or build their houses. All of us could write a book on Dad’s antics when helping us work on our homes but the bottom line was he was extremely generous with his time and talents when it came to helping his kids.

”T”, T-Bird, Zeke, Spider, Thomas Edward Peter Francis Charlie Xavier Alliwishes my name was shorter Hallisey. These were the nicknames given to Tom by Dad. He had Mandie and Becky convinced their daddy’s name was really that long so much so they would tell people that was his name.

Gina and Dad had a special “in-law” relationship… Dad put up with the loud Italian he called “Giner” and all her antics as long as she kept bringing him her homemade sauce and meatballs. He loved her meatballs and she loved making them for him. He always called to thank her and tell her that she was his favorite daughter-in-law, which she replied… “HA HA --I’m your ONLY daughter-in-law!” After 35 years in this family Gina knows where she stood with Dad and there was lots of love that went along with the joking. He was a charmer and jokester from the day she met him and Gina always said, “If Tom ends up being like his Dad I’m a lucky girl cause John’s a great guy”. Gina’s favorite thing about Dad was his standard answer whenever asked how he was doing…. “Super!” Or as he would say it… “SUE PAW!”

Dad had a saying about things that were special… they were the lights on the Christmas tree. The lights on his tree were his family and especially his five wonderful grandchildren that he adored, and his three great grandchildren that to him were just perfect.

Christopher Adams - you know Chris, Grandpa could never understand why you ran into his truck to stop, instead of using the breaks on your bicycle.

Mandie Rovere – When Mandie was a little girl, she told Grandpa that he had

big ears. From then on, every time she saw Grandpa, he would slyly open his

wallet to show her the edge of her school picture that was tucked in a pocket,

only displaying her left ear. Mandie thought Grandpa made the very best

hamburgers on the grill, and she loved how he would give a low, growl into

her ear every single time he hugged her. Mandie’s husband, Joe, thoroughly

enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table with Grandpa discussing, at length, books

they had both read, and receiving new recommendations from an avid reader.

In the short time Grandpa got to be with her 10 month old son, Eli, Mandie could

see how Grandpa’s eyes sparkled when he held him or watched him start crawling

and walking. Mandie says he was the “fun” Grandpa.

Nichole Hallisey-Stewart – Nicki and Grandpa would always debate who loved the other more,

“I love you, I love you more, no I love you more.” Of course no one would prevail, so their secret

code just became “More!” And Nicki… Austin and Aiden only doubled Grandpa’s pleasure and fun.

Becky Hallisey Borman – Whether it was summer days spent at Grandpa & Grandma’s,

or a road trip with them in the fifth wheel, Gramps always had a joke, song or fact ready

to keep things exciting. One that stands out the most to Becky is a song he would use to

be sneaky when playing cards. Beck & Gramps were always Pinochle partners vs. Grandma

and Mandie. After the cards were dealt he would sort out his hand and sing a tune with a little

hint for Becky. "Hearts made of stone, doodie wat doodie wat, will never break..." Grandma

would follow with, "Grandpa no hints!" Becky would just giggle and get her hearts ready to play.

There is something very different and quite special about having your Grandparents take care

of you, especially when you are little. Which is why Becky would figure out ways to time her tummy

aches perfectly to be able to get out of school and hang at Grandpa & Grandmas. Grandpa sure

knew how to cure her sickness with some toasted English muffins and melted butter, cut into perfect

little pieces. As well as a dose of love letting her know she could come hang out as much as she

wanted, knowing quite well she wasn't sick at all!

Brett Hallisey – Brett… Grandpa got a kick out of you always asking what he was doing when it was

painfully obvious. Remember how he always responded, “I’m shoveling snow”, even if it was July 4th?

Dad was the light of my life. Even as a little girl, he always had a way to make me feel special, those sly little winks, (he was a master winker), the tootsie rolls that magically appeared on my plate after eating ALL of my dinner. That was his way… softly sneaking into your backdoor to teach, to comfort, to guide, and at times even push the envelope to see what you were really made of.

Dad taught us to always stand straight and tall and invested many years instilling morals and values in us… love, respect, family, pride, dignity, honor and courage… we learned these things from you Dad. Your love, your understanding, your wisdom and your amazing (but somewhat dry wit), will live with us forever. True love never dies! You have given us gifts and special memories designed especially for each of us that are more precious than words can say. This is your Easter Bunny signing off for now.