I am thankful for my parents who made me rich beyond measure with gifts of faith in God, family, patriotic pride, respect for others, tolerance and compassion. I consider myself to be fortunate to have them as parents. My dad and other relatives are missed beyond measure.
My dad passed away approximately 19 years ago the day before thanksgiving. He suffered a sudden heart attack while volunteering at Hertz Rental car company after retirement.
My dad was diagnosed with an Aortic Aneurysm. I suspected the reason was due to the car jack collapsing and the car came down on my dad's chest. I noticed that after working on the car a few times he came into the house holding his chest and told my mom to call 911 after she noticed him on the floor clutching his chest and hollering for help. My dad lived beyond the life expectancy for his condition. My dad lived 20 years past his life expectancy. He was physically strong willed and determined to survive.
My dad owned his own private detective agency and sold the business and moved on to become a various salesmen that included car sales, MTA Truck Driving lessons, men's clothing store and initiating sales of many other various products.
I am thankful for the physician and medical team that saved my husbands life after conducting a nuclear stress test that indicated he was having a heart attack! He was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. My husband kept experiencing chest pains at random. His main artery was clogged at about 98 percent! My husband was scheduled for surgery on Valentines Day approximately seven years ago to have a medicated stent inserted into his main artery to prevent clogging. I thank god everyday that he is still here with me alive and well. He is doing great so far.
My dad was employed as an assistant manager for a very nice motel and permitted us to stay in any room chosen for experimental purposes as part of the grand opening.
My dad was once employed as a prison security guard and transitioned from there to become a Chamber of Commerce member in Bozwell.
My dad was a member of the flying club and had the keys to the club house. I remember when my dad took the family to the airport restaurant and the food was delicious. My dad also took my sister and I to the radar towers to educate us when we were small children. I remember when my dad introduced me to his friend Clark who owned a Cessna and permitted me to fly the plane at the age of 12! I was pushing at an up and down volocity like as if we were on a rollercoaster! My dad scared me when he told me to be careful not to place us in a spin and I immediately told Clark to take over.
My dad owned a gun collection. His gun collection included a 22 rifle, 12 gage, Western handgun, 38 Special, 357 Magnum PI, Caliber Pistol and possibly a few others. My dad took me target shooting and he had to catch me because the 12 gage had a powerful kickback! If any boys approached either my sister or I they found themselves staring into my dad's double barrel shotgun as a warning not to break our hearts!
My dad took us on many outings and enjoyed long drives with family. We stopped at many restaurants along the way. I remember my dad taking us to state parks like Idlewild park, Hershey Park, Seaworld in Ohio, The Washington DC Whitehouse, Cheese house and Gene Boots Candy Store as well as attending many state parks with beaches and as a family we enjoyed picnics and swimming at the beach.
I am so proud of my dad's many accomplishments.
My dad will always be with the angels watching over me from above and will always be in my heart and sadly missed by all. He was a people person with a big heart.
I am grateful that I still have my mom who is healthy at the age of 74. Who knows! Maybe she will live to become Smucker queen!
I don't know what I would do without her. Love her so much and I hope to see her well into the golden years.
