Bye Poppi
It has become a cliche since Tom Brokaw's book of the same name, but Poppi, Bianca's almost 97 year old grandpa, was part of the Greatest Generation. He fought in WWII. He raised a wonderful family that has stuck together through thick and thin for more than 50 years. He cut hair well into his 90s in his small barbershop set up in his basement (after he retired as a barber he took the chair, his scissors, and strop with him). And early this Memorial Day, one of the millions that helped defend the world from its most pressing existential threat, passed away in the quiet comfort of hospice only a day after all of his family gathered at his bedside.
Poppi was, perhaps, the Platonic Ideal of the Patriarch. He focused on the most important things--his faith, his family, children and golf. Okay, so maybe golf is the odd thing on that list, but he was fixture at family functions and even as he cross 95 years old he was engaged and engaging. He will be missed.
Here he is with the most recent of his great grandchildren, Isaac Anthony, from Isaac's first Father's Day (Isaac was 4 days old):
Good bye Poppi. Your example will continue to guide us all.
Poppi was, perhaps, the Platonic Ideal of the Patriarch. He focused on the most important things--his faith, his family, children and golf. Okay, so maybe golf is the odd thing on that list, but he was fixture at family functions and even as he cross 95 years old he was engaged and engaging. He will be missed.
Here he is with the most recent of his great grandchildren, Isaac Anthony, from Isaac's first Father's Day (Isaac was 4 days old):
Good bye Poppi. Your example will continue to guide us all.