Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Don,
I've been travelling and Nancy and Jim were just now able to let me know of the passing of your father. I'm saddened to hear about your loss and I send my sympathies to you and your family. I'm sorry I can't be there to pay my respects so please pass along my condolences to your mother, Larry, Carol and Jean - feel free to pass this message along to them if you'd like. Your parents were married for such a long time I can't imagine the sense of loss your mother must have at this time. I looked at the photos on the funeral home website and was touched by them, especially when the Middlesex Road home came up. You'll recall that Larry and I came up with the name Big Duke for your dad and I think the John Wayne reference was always an accurate one. We lost our father early on and so the big, rugged guy up the street who hunted, made bows, loaded his own shells, built cabins etc. seemed larger than life to me. We lost an uncle a few years ago, a WWII Marine hero, and I think guys like him and your dad were part of a special generation, they don't make them like that any more. I was so appreciative that your mother and father came to my mothers calling hours when she passed - I remember telling you then that I'd been maintaining my emotions that evening right up to the point I saw your mother walk through the door and then memories of Middlesex and the Coffee Club got the best of me. You might recall the funny exchange I had with your father then who said I had hugged his wife one time too many and brought his cane down on my foot - I told him that after all those years as a kid going in the side door of your house and successfully getting quickly up the stairs while he was in the basement (always seemed to be a power saw running) yelling things at me like (Mr. Fox, do you not have a house of your own?) I couldn't believe I was getting hit by him now - he then brought his cane down on my foot again.
My thoughts are with you, your mother, Larry, Carol, Jean and family.
David
