“Sorrow comes in great waves…but it rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us…it passes, and we remain” - Henry James (American Author)
My Grandpa…Steven Hess was one of the humblest men I have ever met; he never liked to be the center of attention. In life and now in death, he wouldn’t want us to focus on him. He wouldn’t want us to focus on the sadness of his death, but instead focus on the happiness in our lives. He would want us to appreciate each other and all the good times we spent together.
A man as humble and loving as My Grandpa will always be remembered by those of us who knew and loved him. My Grandpa wasn’t perfect… but who is? He was the best man he could possibly be. He was first… a son and a brother, then a loving husband, father, and lastly a grandfather. Although we will miss him…his smile… his laugh… his jokes…his love, … political enthusiasm and even his temper…we take consolation in the good feelings of our memories.
My Grandpa wore many hats. By this I mean he was more than just a grandfather to me. At times it was like having a second father. He was a coach… a mentor… and lastly a friend. I encourage everyone who knew him to think which hats he wore with you and to remember the good times.
I feel very fortunate to have had the type of relationship that I had with him and that we got to share so many memories. I will always miss the fishing trips he took me and Joseph on as kids…. the smell of his coffee and bagel out on the water and the sound of peanut butter crackers being munched away, while me and Joe used to compete and argue over who’d catch more fish. I’ll miss the wiffle ball games we’d play on holidays or birthdays, the walks with Nicky down to the spill way, the days we’d go to the field to have a catch, seeing him in the stands with his notepad at my games, the thumbs up he’d give me after I made a play or got a hit, talking Mets baseball, and even the fights at the boat ramp. The memories I will hold most dear, however, are when we’d go away for the weekend for a baseball showcase. We would sit in the car for hours and hours just talking… nothing specific, just talk.
Grandpa, I will always miss you…. but on the bright side I have so many wonderful memories to hang onto. You were a great role model and your guidance and love… I will always carry with me. Although you aren’t physically here anymore, I know you will always be with me. I hope you are up there in heaven out on a boat fishing where your line never gets stuck in the rocks, playing or coaching baseball, watching the Mets greats and other baseball legends, or simply just singing while playing either the saxophone or piano. Rest easy Grandpa, I love you.
-Anthony Barbieri
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