Heavy Heart - Great Man

I just wanted to express my feelings about a great man, outstanding Grandfather, WWII Vet and retired Mass State Police executive. My Grandfather passed away around 8:00am this morning. He meant so much to me, with fun childhood memories and somebody that aways took an interest in my life. I grew up listening to his stories being in the Navy during WWII and practicing dive-bomb drills in Jacksonville, FL. He was the first civilian hired in the Mass State Police and held the license for the Mass State Police radio frequency for years. As Chief of Mass State Police Communications, my Grandfather was able to purchase technology that Troopers still rely heavily on today. He purchased repeaters that allowed the Trooper to transmit on their handheld radio, transmit to the cruiser and then transmit to the dispatcher. Back then, that was cutting edge and it helped keep Troopers safe while on a traffic stop. He proudly told this story for years and was able to tell the story to me one last time on Saturday. I'll miss him a lot. I attached a photo of my Papa and I raising the American flag and POW MIA flag at my new home on Memorial Day 2010. He helped clip them on. These flags proudly blow in the wind and are completely lighted at night. God bless him and RIP.

I'm sorry for your loss Ken. Sounds like your grandfather enjoyed a long, full and rich life.

BKH

Ken,

Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I'm sure he will be missed at the Thanksgiving dinner table and other family gatherings, but it sounds like he will be forever remembered in your memories!

Ken,

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Patricia, and your family. Your Grandfather sounds like a great, great man. I am truly sorry for your loss. This post is especially touching to me as my Grandfather is struggling in his battle against prostate cancer and he is not expecting to make it to easter. Enjoy the memories that you and him have created. I hope to see you at the Boston Boat show this winter.

Eric

Thanks so much, guys. I'm thankful and appreciative for all your warm thoughts.

Ken

Condolences to you both you guys and your families. The only grandfather I ever knew passed away years ago and I think of him often. We didn't have the relationship that you obviously had with yours and it is something I regret not having with him. There are precious memories of him as he was a fisherman and a jokester of sorts but I think I got the last joke on him when he passed.

He was a farmer in Illinois and a closet smoker and there were many times where I saw him toss a cigarette butt about 100 yards when he was out "hiding " behind the barn when I walked around the corner and shouted, "Hey Grandpa!". When he passed away I put a pack of smokes ( along with a picture of a great grandaughter he never got to meet) for him in a keepsake drawer that was in the bottom lid. I didn't want him him to go home without them. Us grandkids still get a good laugh about it we we talk about him.

Thoughts and prayers are with you guys!

Thanks Motorfoot and Kyle.

I thought I'd throw up a little photo collage my Mom put together of a young wakeboardin2k4 and my Grandfather.

Those are great pictures Eric. I especially like the shot of the two of you at the end of the dock - the one where you're looking up at him.

Thanks for sharing.
Kyle

Wow, teary eyes going on. I have so much respect for Eric and his photos in this post. Grandparents are so special. The memories will never go away.

This has inspired me to push our adoption process along. John (JBear) knows what I'm talking about. I want my parents to be grandparents and I would love to be someones grandfather some day.

Thanks for the ongoing support, my friends.

Ken

Grandparents are special. I enjoy being one and a greatgrandpa to boot.

You guys both have great memories..hold on to them and pass them along to younger family members. We are losing a generation that can never be duplicated.

john