We had a pretty full weekend planned, what with Christmas coming up so quickly and all.

On Saturday I started off my list of things to do with my annual haircut. Chuck the barber did the honors. Chuck's something else. I've only had two "official" barbers in my live. Ben the barber cut my hair from the time I was in fifth grade until he retired. He even cut the boy's hair a number of times. Chuck's been Ben's replacement since Ben retired. Chuck's the only barber I can imagine who, while cutting my hair, mutters, when another customer comes in, "Aw, fuck."

Enough barber talk, though.

I got my hair cut. Then I went out to do a (much earlier than any other year) preliminary Christmas shopping blitz. After four plus hours of wandering/gift buying, I hobbled back home. Ursa Minor and I put up the Christmas tree. He put on all of the branches except the top row because it was just a smidgen too high for him. Then I over fussed about getting the lights on while he tried to patiently wait. After the lights, we festooned the tree with ornaments.

All in all, it was a pretty full day.

After dinner and some quiet relaxation, enjoying the beauty of the tree, the phone rang.

It was my mom. Grandpa had taken a sudden turn for the worse.

She told me that he wasn't expected to live through the weekend.

I waited until we got Ursa Minor to bed before giving a kiss to Mouse and heading down to my parents' house.

I went to the nursing home and sat in a chair beside his bed. I rubbed his shoulder. He had not responded to anyone since the middle of the night before. My mother sat on the other side of the bed. Holding his hand. Sometimes checking his pulse.

Shortly after midnight I told my ma that I was going back to her house. She called shortly after 1:20. Grandpa had gone.


Hank, born October 22, 1925, Chicago, IL, died Sunday (December 7, 2008). He was the son of Henry Alfonse and Hazel Theodora. He was the husband of the late Patricia, whom he married February 1, 1947, at Annunciata Catholic Church.

Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law Patrick (Connie), Michael (Joan) and Timothy (Linda). He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Mark, Scott, Bradford, Erin, Jill, Joseph, and Christopher, great-grandchildren Karianne and Michael, and one special niece/daughter Roni Also surviving are brothers Ted, Paul (Sue), Walter (Linda), and sister Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and siblings John, Marie, and James.

Hank was drafted for WWII from his senior year of high school and inducted into the Army on December 29, 1943. He served as a light machine gunner in the 3rd Infantry Div, 7th Reg. Co. F, and was involved in the following battlefronts: Rome-Arno, Algeria-French Morocco, Southern France, and Naples-Foggia. He was wounded twice, taken German prisoner of war, and released at the war's end. He was honorably discharged from military service on November 12, 1945, having earned (among other honors) a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal

On his return home, and under the G.I. bill, he learned the craft of carpentry as an apprentice in Chicago at the Wabash Trade School. He was a union carpenter for over 50 years. In addition, he was a landlord, tavern owner and restaurant owner. He loved his family and people. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, bowling, the Cubs, Notre Dame, playing pinochle, dancing, country life and travel, and being with his wife.

He was a quietly remarkable man who led a gentle life. Those blessed by his presence in their lives will remember him always. Patricia was the light in Hank's heart and soul. He is loved.