Dad and his twin brother, Larry, were born on Monday, March 19, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY. His parents were Italian immigrants, who came to the US in the earlier part of the 1900's. Dad and Uncle Larry were the 6th and 7th children of 8.
My grandparents didn't speak much English, but wanted their children to go to school and get a good education. When Dad was about 17, he told his father that he no longer wanted to go to school. Papa gave him 2 choices – get a job or join the Army. Dad chose the latter.
After Basic Training, he was transferred to post-World War II Germany. While he was on base, a pretty German girl who worked in the PX caught his eye. Her name was Edith Duckert – my Mom. They started dating in 1947 and were married on June 4, 1949 right before Dad was set to be discharged from the Army.
Upon return to the States, Dad got his GED and worked for a while in a shop that made components for various big machines. He and Mom first settled in Brooklyn, NY, where, in 1952, my sister Christina ("Tina") was born, followed by Patricia ("Pat") in 1955. In the late 1950s, they all moved to Queens, NY (Laurelton) where I was born in 1964. In 1968, we moved to Long Island, NY (Franklin Square.) Mom and Dad lived there in the house on James Street until Dad's retirement in 1990.
Dad was an employee of the New York City Transit Authority from the 1970's until his retirement. He worked on the subway tracks once in a while, but he mostly maintained the many turnstiles that the New York Subway System had. This brought him all over the city and he knew the stations like the back of his hand. I remember Dad telling me that every payday; he took the train into the lower level of one of the Twin Towers to go to the bank. He did this for years and years and when the Towers fell on September 11, 2001, it really broke Dad's heart.
Dad retired in 1990 at age 62. He and Mom chose beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington as their retirement spot. (My sisters had been living there for years and Mom and Dad just loved it there.) They bought a condo in a nice gated community and settled in. He and Mom started volunteering at Tacoma General Hospital (now known at Multicare), something they both really enjoyed. Unfortunately their dream of a happy retirement together was short-lived when Mom was diagnosed with ALS in 1994 and passed away from the disease in April 1995. They were just shy of their 46th wedding anniversary.
Dad did well after Mom's passing. Although he was very sad and missed her terribly, he eventually found a "new normal." He continued living in the condo that he and Mom purchased in 1990 and still volunteered in the hospital 2 or 3 days a week.
In 2008, my sisters and I noticed that Dad was starting to get forgetful and as time passed this became more and more pronounced. He was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and in 2012, went to live in a local Assisted Living facility. He enjoyed it there and made many friends. But by early 2016, he was getting way too confused and was having lots of trouble caring for himself. At that point, we had no choice but to transfer him to a skilled facility in Gig Harbor. At first, Dad was very agitated and angry about the move, but he soon settled in and became a favorite among the staff and other residents.
On October 1, 2016 I received a phone call from one of my sisters telling me that Dad had a stroke, fell and fractured his hip. Surgery was done to pin the fractured hip, but the stroke had taken its toll on poor Dad. He lost the ability to speak and didn't recognize either of my sisters. After several days in the hospital, Dad was transferred back to the skilled facility and placed on hospice care.
Dad passed away on Sunday October 23, 2016. My sisters were with him. He was cremated wearing his "Brooklyn" t-shirt and his ashes were interred next to my mother at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor.
Dad loved to read and had quite a collection of books - mostly works of science fiction and westerns. He also loved history and enjoyed telling stories about growing up during the Great Depression. He was known affectionately as "Brooklyn Joe" and loved being a "Noo Yawker." He was also very proud of his Italian heritage.
Ciao, Dad. Risposare in pace.
*Thanks to all who took the time to read Dad's bio.*
ALZHEIMER'S REQUEST
Don't ask me to remember,
Don't try to make me understand;
Let me rest and know you're with me
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I am confused beyond your concept;
I am sad and sick and lost
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry;
I can't help the way I'm acting,
I can't be different, though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don't fail to be beside me;
Love me 'til my life is gone.
My grandparents didn't speak much English, but wanted their children to go to school and get a good education. When Dad was about 17, he told his father that he no longer wanted to go to school. Papa gave him 2 choices – get a job or join the Army. Dad chose the latter.
After Basic Training, he was transferred to post-World War II Germany. While he was on base, a pretty German girl who worked in the PX caught his eye. Her name was Edith Duckert – my Mom. They started dating in 1947 and were married on June 4, 1949 right before Dad was set to be discharged from the Army.
Upon return to the States, Dad got his GED and worked for a while in a shop that made components for various big machines. He and Mom first settled in Brooklyn, NY, where, in 1952, my sister Christina ("Tina") was born, followed by Patricia ("Pat") in 1955. In the late 1950s, they all moved to Queens, NY (Laurelton) where I was born in 1964. In 1968, we moved to Long Island, NY (Franklin Square.) Mom and Dad lived there in the house on James Street until Dad's retirement in 1990.
Dad was an employee of the New York City Transit Authority from the 1970's until his retirement. He worked on the subway tracks once in a while, but he mostly maintained the many turnstiles that the New York Subway System had. This brought him all over the city and he knew the stations like the back of his hand. I remember Dad telling me that every payday; he took the train into the lower level of one of the Twin Towers to go to the bank. He did this for years and years and when the Towers fell on September 11, 2001, it really broke Dad's heart.
Dad retired in 1990 at age 62. He and Mom chose beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington as their retirement spot. (My sisters had been living there for years and Mom and Dad just loved it there.) They bought a condo in a nice gated community and settled in. He and Mom started volunteering at Tacoma General Hospital (now known at Multicare), something they both really enjoyed. Unfortunately their dream of a happy retirement together was short-lived when Mom was diagnosed with ALS in 1994 and passed away from the disease in April 1995. They were just shy of their 46th wedding anniversary.
Dad did well after Mom's passing. Although he was very sad and missed her terribly, he eventually found a "new normal." He continued living in the condo that he and Mom purchased in 1990 and still volunteered in the hospital 2 or 3 days a week.
In 2008, my sisters and I noticed that Dad was starting to get forgetful and as time passed this became more and more pronounced. He was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and in 2012, went to live in a local Assisted Living facility. He enjoyed it there and made many friends. But by early 2016, he was getting way too confused and was having lots of trouble caring for himself. At that point, we had no choice but to transfer him to a skilled facility in Gig Harbor. At first, Dad was very agitated and angry about the move, but he soon settled in and became a favorite among the staff and other residents.
On October 1, 2016 I received a phone call from one of my sisters telling me that Dad had a stroke, fell and fractured his hip. Surgery was done to pin the fractured hip, but the stroke had taken its toll on poor Dad. He lost the ability to speak and didn't recognize either of my sisters. After several days in the hospital, Dad was transferred back to the skilled facility and placed on hospice care.
Dad passed away on Sunday October 23, 2016. My sisters were with him. He was cremated wearing his "Brooklyn" t-shirt and his ashes were interred next to my mother at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor.
Dad loved to read and had quite a collection of books - mostly works of science fiction and westerns. He also loved history and enjoyed telling stories about growing up during the Great Depression. He was known affectionately as "Brooklyn Joe" and loved being a "Noo Yawker." He was also very proud of his Italian heritage.
Ciao, Dad. Risposare in pace.
*Thanks to all who took the time to read Dad's bio.*
ALZHEIMER'S REQUEST
Don't ask me to remember,
Don't try to make me understand;
Let me rest and know you're with me
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I am confused beyond your concept;
I am sad and sick and lost
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry;
I can't help the way I'm acting,
I can't be different, though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don't fail to be beside me;
Love me 'til my life is gone.
Dad and his twin brother, Larry, were born on Monday, March 19, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY. His parents were Italian immigrants, who came to the US in the earlier part of the 1900's. Dad and Uncle Larry were the 6th and 7th children of 8.
My grandparents didn't speak much English, but wanted their children to go to school and get a good education. When Dad was about 17, he told his father that he no longer wanted to go to school. Papa gave him 2 choices – get a job or join the Army. Dad chose the latter.
After Basic Training, he was transferred to post-World War II Germany. While he was on base, a pretty German girl who worked in the PX caught his eye. Her name was Edith Duckert – my Mom. They started dating in 1947 and were married on June 4, 1949 right before Dad was set to be discharged from the Army.
Upon return to the States, Dad got his GED and worked for a while in a shop that made components for various big machines. He and Mom first settled in Brooklyn, NY, where, in 1952, my sister Christina ("Tina") was born, followed by Patricia ("Pat") in 1955. In the late 1950s, they all moved to Queens, NY (Laurelton) where I was born in 1964. In 1968, we moved to Long Island, NY (Franklin Square.) Mom and Dad lived there in the house on James Street until Dad's retirement in 1990.
Dad was an employee of the New York City Transit Authority from the 1970's until his retirement. He worked on the subway tracks once in a while, but he mostly maintained the many turnstiles that the New York Subway System had. This brought him all over the city and he knew the stations like the back of his hand. I remember Dad telling me that every payday; he took the train into the lower level of one of the Twin Towers to go to the bank. He did this for years and years and when the Towers fell on September 11, 2001, it really broke Dad's heart.
Dad retired in 1990 at age 62. He and Mom chose beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington as their retirement spot. (My sisters had been living there for years and Mom and Dad just loved it there.) They bought a condo in a nice gated community and settled in. He and Mom started volunteering at Tacoma General Hospital (now known at Multicare), something they both really enjoyed. Unfortunately their dream of a happy retirement together was short-lived when Mom was diagnosed with ALS in 1994 and passed away from the disease in April 1995. They were just shy of their 46th wedding anniversary.
Dad did well after Mom's passing. Although he was very sad and missed her terribly, he eventually found a "new normal." He continued living in the condo that he and Mom purchased in 1990 and still volunteered in the hospital 2 or 3 days a week.
In 2008, my sisters and I noticed that Dad was starting to get forgetful and as time passed this became more and more pronounced. He was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and in 2012, went to live in a local Assisted Living facility. He enjoyed it there and made many friends. But by early 2016, he was getting way too confused and was having lots of trouble caring for himself. At that point, we had no choice but to transfer him to a skilled facility in Gig Harbor. At first, Dad was very agitated and angry about the move, but he soon settled in and became a favorite among the staff and other residents.
On October 1, 2016 I received a phone call from one of my sisters telling me that Dad had a stroke, fell and fractured his hip. Surgery was done to pin the fractured hip, but the stroke had taken its toll on poor Dad. He lost the ability to speak and didn't recognize either of my sisters. After several days in the hospital, Dad was transferred back to the skilled facility and placed on hospice care.
Dad passed away on Sunday October 23, 2016. My sisters were with him. He was cremated wearing his "Brooklyn" t-shirt and his ashes were interred next to my mother at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor.
Dad loved to read and had quite a collection of books - mostly works of science fiction and westerns. He also loved history and enjoyed telling stories about growing up during the Great Depression. He was known affectionately as "Brooklyn Joe" and loved being a "Noo Yawker." He was also very proud of his Italian heritage.
Ciao, Dad. Risposare in pace.
*Thanks to all who took the time to read Dad's bio.*
ALZHEIMER'S REQUEST
Don't ask me to remember,
Don't try to make me understand;
Let me rest and know you're with me
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I am confused beyond your concept;
I am sad and sick and lost
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry;
I can't help the way I'm acting,
I can't be different, though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don't fail to be beside me;
Love me 'til my life is gone.
My grandparents didn't speak much English, but wanted their children to go to school and get a good education. When Dad was about 17, he told his father that he no longer wanted to go to school. Papa gave him 2 choices – get a job or join the Army. Dad chose the latter.
After Basic Training, he was transferred to post-World War II Germany. While he was on base, a pretty German girl who worked in the PX caught his eye. Her name was Edith Duckert – my Mom. They started dating in 1947 and were married on June 4, 1949 right before Dad was set to be discharged from the Army.
Upon return to the States, Dad got his GED and worked for a while in a shop that made components for various big machines. He and Mom first settled in Brooklyn, NY, where, in 1952, my sister Christina ("Tina") was born, followed by Patricia ("Pat") in 1955. In the late 1950s, they all moved to Queens, NY (Laurelton) where I was born in 1964. In 1968, we moved to Long Island, NY (Franklin Square.) Mom and Dad lived there in the house on James Street until Dad's retirement in 1990.
Dad was an employee of the New York City Transit Authority from the 1970's until his retirement. He worked on the subway tracks once in a while, but he mostly maintained the many turnstiles that the New York Subway System had. This brought him all over the city and he knew the stations like the back of his hand. I remember Dad telling me that every payday; he took the train into the lower level of one of the Twin Towers to go to the bank. He did this for years and years and when the Towers fell on September 11, 2001, it really broke Dad's heart.
Dad retired in 1990 at age 62. He and Mom chose beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington as their retirement spot. (My sisters had been living there for years and Mom and Dad just loved it there.) They bought a condo in a nice gated community and settled in. He and Mom started volunteering at Tacoma General Hospital (now known at Multicare), something they both really enjoyed. Unfortunately their dream of a happy retirement together was short-lived when Mom was diagnosed with ALS in 1994 and passed away from the disease in April 1995. They were just shy of their 46th wedding anniversary.
Dad did well after Mom's passing. Although he was very sad and missed her terribly, he eventually found a "new normal." He continued living in the condo that he and Mom purchased in 1990 and still volunteered in the hospital 2 or 3 days a week.
In 2008, my sisters and I noticed that Dad was starting to get forgetful and as time passed this became more and more pronounced. He was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and in 2012, went to live in a local Assisted Living facility. He enjoyed it there and made many friends. But by early 2016, he was getting way too confused and was having lots of trouble caring for himself. At that point, we had no choice but to transfer him to a skilled facility in Gig Harbor. At first, Dad was very agitated and angry about the move, but he soon settled in and became a favorite among the staff and other residents.
On October 1, 2016 I received a phone call from one of my sisters telling me that Dad had a stroke, fell and fractured his hip. Surgery was done to pin the fractured hip, but the stroke had taken its toll on poor Dad. He lost the ability to speak and didn't recognize either of my sisters. After several days in the hospital, Dad was transferred back to the skilled facility and placed on hospice care.
Dad passed away on Sunday October 23, 2016. My sisters were with him. He was cremated wearing his "Brooklyn" t-shirt and his ashes were interred next to my mother at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor.
Dad loved to read and had quite a collection of books - mostly works of science fiction and westerns. He also loved history and enjoyed telling stories about growing up during the Great Depression. He was known affectionately as "Brooklyn Joe" and loved being a "Noo Yawker." He was also very proud of his Italian heritage.
Ciao, Dad. Risposare in pace.
*Thanks to all who took the time to read Dad's bio.*
ALZHEIMER'S REQUEST
Don't ask me to remember,
Don't try to make me understand;
Let me rest and know you're with me
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I am confused beyond your concept;
I am sad and sick and lost
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry;
I can't help the way I'm acting,
I can't be different, though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don't fail to be beside me;
Love me 'til my life is gone.
