Our grandfather, Dad, brother, and son, Pop Pop will be remembered with great pride. He taught us so many things about how to conduct ourselves and what is right and wrong. Some of his words of advice resound in our minds so often. He would always remind us that “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.� Pop Pop was not a religious man, yet his actions and his sentiments were so humble, so giving, so loving.
In so many ways he touched our lives, from the mural on the wall that he painted for little Andrea in Winchester Park, North East, Philadelphia, to the many trips he and Sarah took with his sister, our Aunt Elizabeth. We all can remember their times together laughing and enjoying each other. He wrote letters to our boys, his great-grandsons about their futures and his hopes and dreams for them, he spent time on the phone every Wednesday night with his daughter, Andrea.
Pop Pop took the time to show his caring and his love of family. He and Sarah took the long trip to upstate New York and stayed overnight with us. We were so proud and felt so special that they chose to stay with us. Everyone (10 of us all packed into their huge Suburban out for dinner; all together we went, in-laws, grandparents, parents and children). It was a visit that will not be forgotten. It was one that spoke volumes of his pride and affection for his family.
His love of country, family and the American way will continue to inspire us and our future generations to come. He recognized the good in people, a trait that he lovingly passed along to his only daughter and our family. His quiet reflection of his experience during his service in the United States Navy is a great source of pride for the next generations in the family that he built and loved. So quiet yet so strong and brave to have experienced all that he did those years. Though it was such a defining experience for him, it was one that was only shared with grace and reverence.
Pop Pop and his farm are forever etched in our minds and our hearts. It is such a source of pride to have a real farmer in our family. His sharing that experience with his grandchildren from the tractor rides on the huge tractors that he loved so, to the ride he took to bring his newest baby calf to our home to show us what he was doing at his home, his farm. The care and the respect he had for each and every herd that he raised was evident when he would talk about them and when he was caring for them. Every pet that he cared for was treated with the most love and respect. He was a true advocate and friend of animals large and small.
Pop Pop was always so thoughtful and kind to his grandchildren our spouses and great-grandchildren. He never failed to give a sincere compliment and allow us to feel loved and beautiful in his eyes and in his heart. It’s pretty remarkable to have no negative memories of any comments or experiences from someone over an adult lifetime, but Pop Pop has left that impression and memory on us. He will continue to shape our lives even in his absence. His actions and intentions will continue to speak through the generations that follow him. He is home now, and we are thankful that we have these beautiful memories of him and that we had our time with him.
Mr & Mrs Anthony DiRado
Vestal, NY
