Thank you Bill Bloom for the wonderful tombstone photo that means so much to me.
Norman R. Sharpless, Sr., was a blacksmith, as was his father, but later, with the changing times, he had an auto supply and service business in Boothwyn, PA, which he carried on for many years. In 1944, he purchased a 15 room home in Swarthmore, PA, where the family lived until the death of his wife. It was the the first house in town with electric lights. In 1951, the business and home were both sold. (The Sharples-Shapless Family, Bart Anderson, editor, 1966)
Norman Sharpless was known as "Pappy" to all of his relatives. He also purchased a cottage at Bethany Beach, DE, where the family spent their summers. Blanche needed to be near the ocean During the summer because she had asthma. Because of his years of work as a blacksmith, Pappy had a strong grip which he retained throughout his life. Pappy was unfailingly polite to all. He was a shrewd businessman and actually made money during the depression. Yet, he remained frugal and was always generous. He spent his last 16 years in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Pappy never remarried because he said he could never find anyone else as wonderful as his wife, whom he called an "angel." He first dated Blanche's sister Vi, but when Vi stood him up, Blanche took her place. Blanche made him wait years before she agreed to marry him. She taught him society manners and he was always polite.
A few memories:
Pappy loved squirrels and was able to get them to climb up his leg to eat out of his hand.
He loved ice cream & would often treat his family. At one time, he owned an ice cream store in Boothwyn, along with several other stores on the block.
In his late 80s he rode Space Mountain in Disney World to the amazement of all the workers. He also slid down a giant slide.
He never raised his voice, but he was a "man's man." He quietly but firmly took care of business.
In his final years in Florida, he took care of his neighbors. He gave one neighbor a daily shot, and climbed onto the roof of another neighbor's home to repair it.
Pappy was a skilled amateur carpenter. He completely remodeled his daughter's home.
Although Pappy finally signed up for social security, he did not like it. He said that social security took away people's incentive to save. He also invested in life insurance and stocks.
Most of all, he would let his grandchildren sit on his lap for hours while he told them stories.
Memorial Day Poem
Two short months have gone, dear Dad, since you have passed away
Yet, most of what you gave to me is still alive today.
Your faith, your love, your strength abide just like a strong oak tree
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Mother, ten short years ago, you left this earthly home
Yet, all you said and taught to me still shields me like a dome.
Your care, your smiles, your lessons reign just like a master key
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Twenty years have flown, dear Gramps, since I have seen your face.
Yet, all the love you gave to me surrounds me like a brace.
Your caring, thoughtful tenderness dwells like the deep, blue sea
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Ancestors, the centuries passed since you walked on this earth
Yet, all your values and your love have found a new rebirth.
Your culture will sustain through time with each new family,
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
--Deborah L. Thomas, 29 May 2011
Norman R. Sharpless, Sr., was a blacksmith, as was his father, but later, with the changing times, he had an auto supply and service business in Boothwyn, PA, which he carried on for many years. In 1944, he purchased a 15 room home in Swarthmore, PA, where the family lived until the death of his wife. It was the the first house in town with electric lights. In 1951, the business and home were both sold. (The Sharples-Shapless Family, Bart Anderson, editor, 1966)
Norman Sharpless was known as "Pappy" to all of his relatives. He also purchased a cottage at Bethany Beach, DE, where the family spent their summers. Blanche needed to be near the ocean During the summer because she had asthma. Because of his years of work as a blacksmith, Pappy had a strong grip which he retained throughout his life. Pappy was unfailingly polite to all. He was a shrewd businessman and actually made money during the depression. Yet, he remained frugal and was always generous. He spent his last 16 years in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Pappy never remarried because he said he could never find anyone else as wonderful as his wife, whom he called an "angel." He first dated Blanche's sister Vi, but when Vi stood him up, Blanche took her place. Blanche made him wait years before she agreed to marry him. She taught him society manners and he was always polite.
A few memories:
Pappy loved squirrels and was able to get them to climb up his leg to eat out of his hand.
He loved ice cream & would often treat his family. At one time, he owned an ice cream store in Boothwyn, along with several other stores on the block.
In his late 80s he rode Space Mountain in Disney World to the amazement of all the workers. He also slid down a giant slide.
He never raised his voice, but he was a "man's man." He quietly but firmly took care of business.
In his final years in Florida, he took care of his neighbors. He gave one neighbor a daily shot, and climbed onto the roof of another neighbor's home to repair it.
Pappy was a skilled amateur carpenter. He completely remodeled his daughter's home.
Although Pappy finally signed up for social security, he did not like it. He said that social security took away people's incentive to save. He also invested in life insurance and stocks.
Most of all, he would let his grandchildren sit on his lap for hours while he told them stories.
Memorial Day Poem
Two short months have gone, dear Dad, since you have passed away
Yet, most of what you gave to me is still alive today.
Your faith, your love, your strength abide just like a strong oak tree
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Mother, ten short years ago, you left this earthly home
Yet, all you said and taught to me still shields me like a dome.
Your care, your smiles, your lessons reign just like a master key
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Twenty years have flown, dear Gramps, since I have seen your face.
Yet, all the love you gave to me surrounds me like a brace.
Your caring, thoughtful tenderness dwells like the deep, blue sea
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Ancestors, the centuries passed since you walked on this earth
Yet, all your values and your love have found a new rebirth.
Your culture will sustain through time with each new family,
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
--Deborah L. Thomas, 29 May 2011
Thank you Bill Bloom for the wonderful tombstone photo that means so much to me.
Norman R. Sharpless, Sr., was a blacksmith, as was his father, but later, with the changing times, he had an auto supply and service business in Boothwyn, PA, which he carried on for many years. In 1944, he purchased a 15 room home in Swarthmore, PA, where the family lived until the death of his wife. It was the the first house in town with electric lights. In 1951, the business and home were both sold. (The Sharples-Shapless Family, Bart Anderson, editor, 1966)
Norman Sharpless was known as "Pappy" to all of his relatives. He also purchased a cottage at Bethany Beach, DE, where the family spent their summers. Blanche needed to be near the ocean During the summer because she had asthma. Because of his years of work as a blacksmith, Pappy had a strong grip which he retained throughout his life. Pappy was unfailingly polite to all. He was a shrewd businessman and actually made money during the depression. Yet, he remained frugal and was always generous. He spent his last 16 years in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Pappy never remarried because he said he could never find anyone else as wonderful as his wife, whom he called an "angel." He first dated Blanche's sister Vi, but when Vi stood him up, Blanche took her place. Blanche made him wait years before she agreed to marry him. She taught him society manners and he was always polite.
A few memories:
Pappy loved squirrels and was able to get them to climb up his leg to eat out of his hand.
He loved ice cream & would often treat his family. At one time, he owned an ice cream store in Boothwyn, along with several other stores on the block.
In his late 80s he rode Space Mountain in Disney World to the amazement of all the workers. He also slid down a giant slide.
He never raised his voice, but he was a "man's man." He quietly but firmly took care of business.
In his final years in Florida, he took care of his neighbors. He gave one neighbor a daily shot, and climbed onto the roof of another neighbor's home to repair it.
Pappy was a skilled amateur carpenter. He completely remodeled his daughter's home.
Although Pappy finally signed up for social security, he did not like it. He said that social security took away people's incentive to save. He also invested in life insurance and stocks.
Most of all, he would let his grandchildren sit on his lap for hours while he told them stories.
Memorial Day Poem
Two short months have gone, dear Dad, since you have passed away
Yet, most of what you gave to me is still alive today.
Your faith, your love, your strength abide just like a strong oak tree
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Mother, ten short years ago, you left this earthly home
Yet, all you said and taught to me still shields me like a dome.
Your care, your smiles, your lessons reign just like a master key
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Twenty years have flown, dear Gramps, since I have seen your face.
Yet, all the love you gave to me surrounds me like a brace.
Your caring, thoughtful tenderness dwells like the deep, blue sea
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Ancestors, the centuries passed since you walked on this earth
Yet, all your values and your love have found a new rebirth.
Your culture will sustain through time with each new family,
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
--Deborah L. Thomas, 29 May 2011
Norman R. Sharpless, Sr., was a blacksmith, as was his father, but later, with the changing times, he had an auto supply and service business in Boothwyn, PA, which he carried on for many years. In 1944, he purchased a 15 room home in Swarthmore, PA, where the family lived until the death of his wife. It was the the first house in town with electric lights. In 1951, the business and home were both sold. (The Sharples-Shapless Family, Bart Anderson, editor, 1966)
Norman Sharpless was known as "Pappy" to all of his relatives. He also purchased a cottage at Bethany Beach, DE, where the family spent their summers. Blanche needed to be near the ocean During the summer because she had asthma. Because of his years of work as a blacksmith, Pappy had a strong grip which he retained throughout his life. Pappy was unfailingly polite to all. He was a shrewd businessman and actually made money during the depression. Yet, he remained frugal and was always generous. He spent his last 16 years in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Pappy never remarried because he said he could never find anyone else as wonderful as his wife, whom he called an "angel." He first dated Blanche's sister Vi, but when Vi stood him up, Blanche took her place. Blanche made him wait years before she agreed to marry him. She taught him society manners and he was always polite.
A few memories:
Pappy loved squirrels and was able to get them to climb up his leg to eat out of his hand.
He loved ice cream & would often treat his family. At one time, he owned an ice cream store in Boothwyn, along with several other stores on the block.
In his late 80s he rode Space Mountain in Disney World to the amazement of all the workers. He also slid down a giant slide.
He never raised his voice, but he was a "man's man." He quietly but firmly took care of business.
In his final years in Florida, he took care of his neighbors. He gave one neighbor a daily shot, and climbed onto the roof of another neighbor's home to repair it.
Pappy was a skilled amateur carpenter. He completely remodeled his daughter's home.
Although Pappy finally signed up for social security, he did not like it. He said that social security took away people's incentive to save. He also invested in life insurance and stocks.
Most of all, he would let his grandchildren sit on his lap for hours while he told them stories.
Memorial Day Poem
Two short months have gone, dear Dad, since you have passed away
Yet, most of what you gave to me is still alive today.
Your faith, your love, your strength abide just like a strong oak tree
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Mother, ten short years ago, you left this earthly home
Yet, all you said and taught to me still shields me like a dome.
Your care, your smiles, your lessons reign just like a master key
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Twenty years have flown, dear Gramps, since I have seen your face.
Yet, all the love you gave to me surrounds me like a brace.
Your caring, thoughtful tenderness dwells like the deep, blue sea
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
Dear Ancestors, the centuries passed since you walked on this earth
Yet, all your values and your love have found a new rebirth.
Your culture will sustain through time with each new family,
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
--Deborah L. Thomas, 29 May 2011
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