My dad died last night.

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Bat-mite

Rocketeer in MD
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He was almost 91. It was quite a blessing the way things went down. He went into the hospital on Saturday, but didn't show any signs of death being imminent until yesterday. The kids got to do Halloween. Last year, we had a big 90th birthday party for him, and then in June he got to go to southern Virginia to a family reunion, where he saw his Brothers and sister, nieces and nephews.

All of the local family had plenty of time to see him and say good-bye yesterday, and he hung in there until 7:10 EDT last night.

The funny thing was ... his "last request," of all things, was an egg sandwich. He ate about half of it, then looked contented and drifted off.

He was a WWII vet, and served in the Naval Armed Guard, which was an elite unit that was assigned to merchant marine ships crossing the Atlantic, which were always the target of U-boats. Later in life, about ten years ago or so, he developed colon cancer, but was able to survive it. In the end, it was a hiatal hernia that got him.

I am thankful that I got to spend the day yesterday with him, and tell him that I loved him. Not everyone gets that chance.
 
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He was almost 91. It was quite a blessing the way things went down. He went into the hospital on Saturday, but didn't show any signs of death being imminent until yesterday. The kids got to do Halloween. Last year, we had a big 90th birthday party for him, and then in June he got to go to southern Virginia to a family reunion, where he saw his Brothers and sister, nieces and nephews.

All of the local family had plenty of time to see him and say good-bye yesterday, and he hung in there until 7:10 EDT last night.

The funny thing was ... his "last request," of all things, was an egg sandwich. He ate about half of it, then looked contented and drifted off.

He was a WWII vet, and served in the Naval Armed Guard, which was an elite unit that was assigned to merchant marine ships crossing the Atlantic, which were always the target of U-boats. Later in life, about ten years ago or so, he developed colon cancer, but was able to survive it. In the end, it was a hiatal hernia that got him.

I am thankful that I got to spend the day yesterday with him, and tell him that I loved him. Not everyone gets that chance.

Hard times, but a great journey. Be well!
 
Oh buddy-condolences of the first order. I was blessed being by my Dad's bedside as he left and it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. He, too was a WWII vet- a pilot for USAF for 26 years and he flew right up to the day he retired. He was my hero and mentor. He was gone a lot when i was young, but we bonded after he retired. You will find yourself at the oddest times missing him and all the advice I have for you is be thankful for the time you had. Be gentle with yourself and know the sadness can come unexpectedly, but it's normal. Wishing you inner peace and dreams of the good times you had with him.
 
It is difficult to lose a parent, but it sounds like this was as peaceful as it can get. RIP and a big thank you for his service.

My father was in WWII as well. We don't have a lot of details, but he was in artillery, 155mm howitzers. We know he was near Malmady in December of 1944 and under General Patton, but don't know if he actually participated in the relief effort during the Battle of the Bulge. He didn't talk about the war and he died of cancer almost 45 years ago.
 
Sorry for your loss but thankful that you were able to spend the day with your dad.
 
I'm sorry to hear or your loss John. It is never easy to lose someone close to you but it sounds like he had a good life and went peacefully.
 
My thoughts are with you and your family. It is good that he went peacefully and without a lot of suffering.
 
I'm very sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a full and interesting life, and I think that's the best that most of us can hope for.
 
My condolences to you and your family.
I lost my father coming up on 10 years 12/21.
He was also a WWII Vet, Marine. He also never talked about his time. I think he saw things he just wanted to forget.
He would not even watch movies or TV shows that was from the Pacific Theater.
I think of my father, my dad, every day, and miss him more than I could imagine.
You have good memories of him, and at no particular time, you will think of them, and him.
That's what we hold onto from our loved one's and hero's.
I hope you contact your local Honor Guard and give him a Hero's Send Off.
My fathers flag and shell casings are very dear to me.
Your father has my thanks for his service, his sacrifices, and admiration.
My all of your family be blessed with a long life as your father.
 
I'll be thinking of you. The convoy escorts don't get much press, but they made the war possible. My grandfather (B-24 pilot over southern Europe) wouldn't have had fuel, bombs, or ammunition if your father and those like him hadn't been there.
 
Very sorry for your loss John. It sounds like he had lived a very full life, which is awesome.

Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for you and family....
 
Condolences on your loss.
Glad you got those final moments with him, that's incredibly valuable.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
 
I lost my Dad (also a WWII vet, Navy, aboard an ammunition carrier in the Pacific) two years ago. It's hard.

I miss him.

We built my model train layout together when I decided that as much as I like the Boy Scouts, I didn't much like the guys in my troop. Later, after I graduated from college, he converted our HO layout to N-scale. All of his grandchildren would always want to go to the basement to see grandpa's trains as soon as they came to visit. I still love trains but I can't see them without thinking of him.

Your Dad was undoubtedly different than mine, but you will have those sorts of moments for the rest of your life. They are equal parts painful and wonderful as you remember who he was and what you shared together.

My deepest condolences. Hang in there.
 
Very sincere condolences on your loss and glad that his passing was easy. My dad passed in 2004 and not a day goes by that I do not think of him.
 
My condolences. I remember when my Grandfather died and we saw it coming. I think it's easier when you know it's time.
 
John, so sorry for your loss.
It's the time that we spend when they are here that will always be with us.
Good that you had the time with your Dad, when you had, these precious moments.
 
Although it may sound negative, it's not... To me, it's seems like a great way to end a long, surely well-filled life, contently enjoying his last meal with family around him.
 
Dads are special and you are fortunate to have been blessed with a good one. Yes, you will miss him. I lost my pop nearly 43 years ago and it still hurts. Peace and Grace to you and yours.
 
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