There are few people in life that are as kind and giving as my Papa. Everyone meets a person or persons in their life that leave a profound mark on them, and this is one of those people. You are not likely to meet anyone who is more willing to lend a helping hand, give a kind word, offer support, or do whatever you need, even if all you need is for someone to be there.
In 1943, after graduating high school, he joined the US Navy and served proudly for three years during World War II, spending time in Hawaii, the Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan, among other stations. I remember when I was much younger he traced the route he followed between those islands on a globe I had received from my parents. He told me of how he traveled by ship from island to island, where he helped to clear airstrips and spent much time in the mess hall as one of the cooks while with the Navy Seabees.
One of his passions was cooking; he loved to do it and, boy, did he ever cook a lot of food during those Navy years. I always found it funny that one of the that inspired him to step into the kitchen was a meal he received while on guard duty in the black of night. He told me of how his fellow sailors would bring the guards sandwiches to tide them over during their patrol. The problem was that the sandwiches were made with chicken wings, complete with the bones! This was more than enough motivation for him to not want to be on guard duty and to get closer to the food.
It was during these years that he began to correspond with Mary, my Nana and his future wife. Nana relates the story of how she would be with a friend of hers whose little nephew would be playing with her young nephew. The little boy was Ralph, Edwin's youngest brother. She would go up to him and ask if he had an older brother, to which he would respond "My brother Ed is in the Navy." One day, Ralph gave her a piece of paper and said "My Mom says you should write to Ed, he doesn't receive much mail." So began the the flow of letters between the two.
Article comments
1 - T. Michael Testi
Just how do you sum up the life of a man who has had such a positive impact on everyone he has ever had contact with?
I think you just did a great job. My thoughts are with you and your family.
2 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Chris, you are a very lucky man to have had a grandfather for as many years of your life as you have. Obviously, he was a great influence on you and a positive one. It shows in your writing.
Twenty-six years ago, my Aunt Kate passed away. I wrote a note to my uncle - it's the decent thing to do for a favorite uncle over a thousand miles away. He never answered me. He couldn't. His daughter did, encouraging me to become a writer, pointing out that my note was the one note of many he received that he could not answer.
So stick with your writing, Chris. I give you the same belessing my cousin gave me a quarter century ago. What you wrote, if put in the form of a letter of consolation, would be impossible to answer.
3 - Melita Teale
Thanks for a great eulogy, Chris. You were lucky to have him, but you must also have been a good grandson to him to appreciate him like this.
4 - deborah ferguson
What a beautiful tribute. He was obviously a fine man and a role model for all of us. How lovely