Trying to pick just one memory of Grandpa is a daunting task when so many come to mind. Settling on a single moment feels impossible, so I wanted to share a few.
Some of my fondest memories growing up were with Grandpa (and Grandma, of course). Whether it was monstrous corned beef sandwiches at Sammi’s Deli for lunch, or sharing butter pecan ice cream and popcorn for an after-dinner snack, those small moments meant so much. He always knew exactly what would hit the spot — and somehow, it was always just right.
Helping Grandpa spread mulch or clean the gutters taught me and Niko that hard work pays off — and that with a little elbow grease, you can make something beautiful (shoutout to their ever-beautiful garden). Learning to golf and play chess with him was always a treat, and it showed me how important patience is when teaching — and learning — any new skill.
One of the most powerful things Grandpa ever showed me was what love looks like. His love for Grandma was quiet, steady, and full of respect — the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. The way he cared for her, supported her, and simply enjoyed being by her side was something to aspire to.
More than anything, Grandpa showed me the importance of being a good person. He and Grandma welcomed everyone with open arms. To them, if you were in their life, you were family. They welcomed Maria into the family, as one of their own grandchildren, with the same warmth and kindness they showed everyone — making her feel at home from the very beginning. While he didn’t get the chance to meet our soon-to-be-born son, I know our baby is already loved as another one of his great-grandchildren — and though they’ll never meet, We will make sure he knows the kind of love Grandpa would have shown him.
Grandpa, you will be missed — but please know that the lessons you taught all of us, family and friends alike, will live on forever.
Thank you, Grandpa, for the love, the lessons, and the legacy. We’ll carry your spirit with us always.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” — Pericles