Just thinking of my grandpa today. He recently died. Sad to say the last time I saw him was Christmas. I guess I let the miles get in between us.
Here is a picture of him and below is a video of him dancing with Chloe last Christmas. That man loved to dance and snack. I only inherited the snacking part...
Post your comment on your favorite memory of granpa, I would love to see them!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Grandpa LaCorte
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
1. Taught us to play handball on his garage door. I went on to kick butt in school when we had that class - thanks to him.
2. Always giving us some "change" when we got to visit.
3. Our dog Jester walking to his house.
4. Playing in the basement at their house.
5. Richie and I fighting and Grandpa breaking us up.
6. Taking me to Canada and that Catskills.
7. Making the three of us slide under the bathroom stall in a public restroom when they used to have pay toilets in those places. He said "we don't pay to pee".
8. Creamsicle icecream in the bottom of their freezer.
9. Italian music playing on their lanai.
10. Dancing.
11. I remember he was very opinionated and passionate about certain topics.
12. Claimed Lisa cheated when she beat him Uno - he stormed off calling her a cheat.
13. Paying my portion of union dues when I could not afford it.
14. I stole a screw driver from Dad. Dad found it in my garage years later and asked how I got it. He told me he got it the same way....stole it from Grandpa. I have that in my tool box today. Ever since I found out it was Grandpa's, when I pull it out of my tool box I say "give me a hand Grandpa".
15. Yummy food.
16. Taking care of Great Grandma.
17. Taking care of Grandma.
18. Finding a spreadsheet of all the pills he and Grandma had to take and being amazed that he could keep it straight. I mean seriously he had a suitcase full.
19. His hats and always wondering why I did not get his hair.
20. Giving life and love to all of us.
I want to take you back to 1962
As I remember George Joseph LaCorte, I celebrate first his memory as "a man" I would see in the neighborhood drug store when my friend and I would pop in to flirt with a young man who also worked there. Little did I know this "older man" would one day set me up on a blind date with his son. By they way, his son was set up too.
I celebrate him as my boy friends Dad who quickly became the Dad I never had. Our relationship began to grow with his gentle hugs, kisses and complete acceptance into his BIG ITALIAN family!
I celebrate the many dances we shared together. As a young girl, I felt so special when Dad swept me across the dance floor. I do mean SWIPT!!
Celebration of the HEART is a wonderful emotion; one that meakes me smile when I remember how devoted Dad was as a Husband and Father. Hearing of the long hours he worked to provide for his family-The special times spent with loved ones at the bungalow, which later became home. Always finding time for God as he served in his church and worked with Knights of Columbus (later becoming Grand Knight) Even during retirement, he continued to serve as he worked for Brothers Keeper. Yes, I will always celebrate Dad's serving heart!! His example has now been passed on not only to his sons but to his Grandchildren as well.
I know all of Dad's children can attest to Dad's devotion to his Grandchildren, as a Grandfather. As a Grandfather I celebrate all the times he rushed to our side in crisis--the hospital visits, house visits,and the playfull times when our boys were young. I know the boys remember the walks to Grandpa and Grandma's house when they lived close; the money handed out and the food delivered. No one went hungery in the LaCorte family!
Oh those wonderful family times that I wish all Grandchildren could celebrate!!
God Blessed me with an Earthly Father devoted to God, Family and Friends. A Father who's smile lit up a room; who's compassion shared will forever last and who's love for God and family will forever be the shining example to spread throughou8t generations as we, his family continue the legacy of unconditional love---For isn't that what LIVING is all about?
Now 46 1/2 years later, I celebrate MY DAD and say "Thanks Dad for lessons well taught!"
As a kid I thought Grandpa was larger then life. He could not do wrong in my book. After all it was his house we would walk to and find candy or treats hidden all over. Even Jester would go to Grandma and Grandpas house.
After Grandma and Grandpa moved to Florida, I remember the long weekends at their house. The pool, riding in the neighborhood, going out to eat, and just hanging out. Grandpa was always working or puttering around the house, just like my dad. While grandpa was working around the house, we would either follow him around or sit in the A/C with Grandma and gossip or talk. She seemed to be the talker and Grandpa the decision maker, but maybe Grandma let him think that!
I loved going in the car with Grandpa as a kid. He would drive like a NY Taxicab driver, curse up a storm and swerve at people who would walk across the street too slow. OK, not something to be proud of, but as a kid that was cool!
I remember the cross he wore so proud and how nice he always dressed. He was proud and made me proud to be around him.
I remember when the Iraq war came about and he was writing his thoughts about the war, history about the region, and Christian perspective. In it were some honest words and struggles I found amazing and a side I never knew. Grandpa was VERY smart and loved history and God.
I don't care if we call ourselves Catholic, non denominational, Baptist, or whatever. We are all from the same God and we all worship him because of the strong foundation Grandpa gave his family and passed on to all of us.
Grandpa was not perfect, I remember him getting angry at times, specially if he lost at cards! But, he had passion, loved his family, was honest and worked hard to provide a better life for his family. We can all look back and see all of us are better off then when he was a child. Even when we struggle financial it pales in comparison.
I thank God for Grandpa.
Post a Comment