Harold

(John Paul is the one not smiling)

John Pauls grandfather passed away somewhat unexpectedly this past week. So we are off to Syracuse for the wake and funeral this weekend.

Harold was a very good man and I am sad to see him go. He was very Irish (100% actually), very Catholic, and very kind. He loved the Yankees and being with his (very large) family. He had 8 sons and 2 daughters. He had a slew of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was charming and witty in a way that I'm fearful will be lost as his generation dies out. He was so funny and always in good spirits. No matter how serious the situation he could make you laugh.

Often when people get older they get bitter. But not Harold. He was a gem.

I didn't get a chance to get to know him as well as I'd have liked having only married into the family a couple of years ago. I often wished we lived closer to we could see more of him. He was one of my favorite people to see at family events.

I was very close to my own grandfather, and it was nice having another grandfather for awhile that reminded me of him. I'll all out of grandfathers now, and grandfathers are very special. Don't take them for granted because they really won't be around forever.

I know that I wasn't close enough to Harold to truly mourn the loss like his family, but I do feel it is a real loss and I am genuinely sad knowing he won't be there at Christmas and will never meet our son, his great grandson.

Hope to see you on the other side, Harold.