My Dad.

My dad never finished high school. His father was an drunk and his mother had a stroke during child birth.  My dad had to work to look after them both. When his mother became too hard to take care of he had no options open to him. She was put into the county home for mental patients. Dad was drafted and had to place his father into the old folks home in Lisbon Ohio during the war.

My dad served his country for six years and was wounded twice. When he returned home he married my mother and I was born. My father took care of his father and his new family.  At the age of seven I contracted Polio and spent eight weeks in a hospital in Youngstown. My mother was with child and my dad drove up to sit with me each and every night after work..

My dad never bought anything for himself. He gave everything he made to take care of his family. He was a very giving person. His family ate first before he served himself.  My dad was aleays kind to other people and was happy with his lot in life. He once told me that having a family of his own was a dream come true.

My dad taught me many lessons in his lifetime. My dad was always my hero and I think of him every day. I love you dad and miss you very much. I hope my son becomes as good a father and man that my dad was.

I wish my dad knew that each and every one of his seven grandchildren has earned a college degree.  Not bad for only third generation Americans.!