grimjack

My grandfather's viewing and funeral service was held yesterday morning in Collingswood, NJ at St. John's Catholic Church. He had been a resident there for 45 years after he and my grandmother moved from south philly. Quite a few people showed up for the viewing and mass, including friends, family, and old neighbors. It was really surprising to see how many non-family members attended, especially when you figure that my Pop was 92 when he passed. There were still plenty of neighbors and old friends alive and well enough to attend.

After the mass, we drove him up to a massive Military Graveyard called Arneytown near Bordentown, NJ. My grandfather was a WWII Veteran, so they gave him all of the honors of a military service and burial. That in itself was tough enough...Taps never had as much meaning for me until they played it for my grandfather. What made things even more difficult was that the family didn't tell me before hand that I would be the recipient of the American Flag shrouded his casket, being that I was the eldest grandchild. So, they performed the flag ceremony before presenting the flag to me. Probably the most difficult moment I've ever experienced in my life. Almost on par with watching my grandmother die this past January.

So now my pop is gone. He was a good man who never complained, was always there for his children and grandchilden, and was just a really nice man. I miss you, old man...

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold
you in the hollow of his hand