Eulogy for my father

It’s difficult to say in so few words what kind of man my father was. The word that keeps coming to the forefront of my mind is “giver.” My father was a giver. He gave of himself to his family, friends and associates and asked for so little in return. He and my mother married when he was but 20 years old and she was 18. He was an amazing husband and an amazing father. My dad was the type of guy you could count on. He was our rock. He was my rock. Words fail to express the depth of our loss. My father loved his life. He had a great time. God gave my father personality in abundance. He loved to tell jokes and laugh. He was an expert practical joker. He could talk to anyone about anything. He loved his family and friends beyond measure. My heart is filled to overflowing with beautiful memories of this sweet man. I am blessed beyond all measure to have had him as a father. He was kind, supportive, loving, tender, protective, generous and so much fun to be around. Over the past six years I got to know my father not only as a parent but as a man. He was my best friend. We spent hours upon hours together just sitting and talking and enjoying each others’ company. My father always told me he loved me. They weren’t just words. He proved to me he loved me. His love was action. He proved his love through his actions. He lived a very good life. Throughout his life he was surrounded by people who loved him. As a child he was raised by two amazing parents, two protective older brothers and four loving sisters, all of whom he adored. As an adult my mother was his constant and steady companion, he raised my sisters and me and his love bore fruit in our lives and the lives of his 5 grandchildren. We will all miss him every single day of our lives. My father was a man of faith and he taught me to be a man of faith. There isn’t the faintest sliver of doubt in my heart of where my father is today. He’s not here in this beautiful casket. He’s in all our hearts and he’s in the kingdom with his mother, father, sister Ann and countless friends who preceded him to the wondrous beyond. I’m picturing him with them right now, at this moment, chatting with his mother, father and sister and having a big ol’ time. Being a family of faith we can dry our tears with the knowledge that we will see him again soon. He’ll open his arms and greet us, bring us into his embrace in heaven as he always did on earth. And then the practical joking will really begin!